Are you actually that naive about the availability of books prior to the invention of the printing press? And do you think the Catholic Church somehow conspired to accomplish this? Do you have any idea how long it takes to transcribe a Bible by hand? And finally, the overwhelming portion of the people was illiterate. Why would God create so many insurmountable obstacles to Salvation?
Don't be silly...I never said every Christian carried a bible in 800 A.D....How many "Heretics" were there up thru the 16 century (that didn't get murdered)??? And how did the heretics get saved??? By 'hearing' the word...They didn't for the most part have to be literate...I have no idea how many there were but they had well over 1000 years to copy manuscripts as fast as they could...And many of them survived to this day...
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.