The Clear Word Manuscript Collection preserves the working manuscripts of Dr. Jack J. Blanco, professor emeritus and former dean of the School of Religion at Southern Adventist University. The collection documents the development of his well-known Bible paraphrase.
Blanco began working on The Clear Word in 1984 while serving at Southern. What began as a personal devotional practice—paraphrasing Scripture to deepen his understanding and connection with God—eventually grew into a complete paraphrase of the Bible. He began with the New Testament, completing all 27 books over three years, and continued with the Old Testament, which he completed seven years later. The Clear Word was published in 1994.
The manuscripts in this collection offer a unique look at Blanco’s writing process and the development of a work that became an important part of his legacy at Southern. Additional information about his life and legacy can be found in this Adventist Review article.
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01: Genesis Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Genesis is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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02: Exodus Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Exodus is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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03: Leviticus Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Leviticus is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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04: Numbers Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Numbers is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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05: Deuteronomy Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Deuteronomy is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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06: Joshua Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Joshua is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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07: Judges Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Judges is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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08: Ruth Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Ruth is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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09: I Samuel Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of I Samuel is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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10: II Samuel Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of II Samuel is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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11: I Kings Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of I Kings is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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12: II kings Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of II Kings is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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13: I Chronicles Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of I Chronicles is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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14: II Chronicles Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of II Chronicles is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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15: Ezra Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Ezra is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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16: Nehemiah Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Nehemiah is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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17: Esther Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Esther is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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18: Job Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Job is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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19: Psalms Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Pslams is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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20: Proverbs Manuscript
Jack. J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Proverbs is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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21: Ecclesiastes Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Ecclesiastes is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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22: Song of Solomon Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Song of Solomon is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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23: Isaiah Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Isaiah is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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24: Jeremiah Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Jeremiah is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.
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25: Lamentations Manuscript
Jack J. Blanco
This handwritten manuscript of Lamentations is part of the original biblical paraphrase manuscript that later became The Clear Word Bible, authored by Dr. Jack J. Blanco.