There was a time when Bible reading was discouraged, you do realize that is patently false, right?
The Church has 2 readings from the Bible each day and 3 on Sunday. In the course of 3 years you would hear the entire Bible
At no point in history has "Bible reading been discouraged" --> who told you such lies?
translation to a common tongue worthy of death
Again, this is a lie --> perhaps you don't know that many English versions of Scripture existed before Wycliff, and these were authorized by the Church.
I’m not sure why you think it was the Catholic Church that sentenced Tyndale to death. That’s not historically accurate. Henry leaned on his ally, King Charles V, to in turn lean on the Magistrate of Antwerp to get Tyndale executed.
Henry VIII wanted to be remarried and annul his previous marriage, but in 1530, Tyndale wrote The Practice of Prelates, a political tract opposing Henry VIII's political policies.
hence his final words “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”
There was a time when Bible reading was discouraged, you do realize that is patently false, right? The Church has 2 readings from the Bible each day and 3 on Sunday. In the course of 3 years you would hear the entire Bible At no point in history has "Bible reading been discouraged" --> who told you such lies? translation to a common tongue worthy of death Again, this is a lie --> perhaps you don't know that many English versions of Scripture existed before Wycliff, and these were authorized by the Church. I’m not sure why you think it was the Catholic Church that sentenced Tyndale to death. That’s not historically accurate. Henry leaned on his ally, King Charles V, to in turn lean on the Magistrate of Antwerp to get Tyndale executed. Henry VIII wanted to be remarried and annul his previous marriage, but in 1530, Tyndale wrote The Practice of Prelates, a political tract opposing Henry VIII's political policies. hence his final words “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!” You have been here a long time - even before me, so I respect you, and know you are a fierce defender of your denomination. So please, let's accept that many very bad things were done in the name of the Lord - Crusades against Believers, Papal Bulls against translations in the common languages, inquisitions, torturing and burning heretics for fun and profit - NONE OF WHICH was for God's Glory. Let's not play the game that the state was responsible, the church and state operated in tandem more often than not. That greatly influenced our Founding Fathers NOT to have a state religion. In an atmosphere of fear, where the state taxes and lords over you, and the church through fear of judgment or punishment takes what is left, faith will be tough. I am not going to waste time looking up every order, every crusade and every example of a denomination and/or state out of control. I read too many in college and its quite depressing. It happened. It was bad. It should NEVER happen again.
I do not appreciate being called a liar. I never mentioned Henry VIII or Wycliffe. Just made a general statement that is backed by truth. I may make a mistake, but when I post something, it usually is well documented, or at the very least well remembered from studies. But since you attacked my credibility:
At the Council of Toulouse (1229 A.D), papal church leaders ruled: "We prohibit laymen possessing copies of the Old and New Testament ... We forbid them most severely to have the above books in the popular vernacular." "'The lords of the districts shall carefully seek out the heretics in dwellings, hovels, and forests, and even their underground retreats shall be entirely wiped out." Pope Gregory IX, Council Tolosanum, 1229 A.D.
The Roman Catholic Council of Tarragona also ruled that: "No one may possess the books of the Old and New Testaments in the Romance language, and if anyone possesses them he must turn them over to the local bishop within eight days after the promulgation of this decree, so that they may be burned." D. Lortsch, Histoire de la Bible en France, 1910, p. 14.
The Council of Trent (1545-1564) placed the Bible on its list of prohibited books, and forbade any person to read the Bible without a license from a Roman Catholic bishop or inquisitor. The Council added these words: "That if any one shall dare to read or keep in his possession that book, without such a license, he shall not receive absolution till he has given it up to his ordinary."
"Since it is clear from experience that if the Sacred Books are permitted everywhere and without discrimination in the vernacular (in the common language of the people, D.R.) there will by reasons of the boldness of men arise therefrom more harm than good..." Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, p. 274.
J.A. Wylie, an authority on Romanism in the Reformation era, dedicated two chapters of his book The Papacy; Its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects (London: Hamilton Adams, 1888) to Rome's attitude toward the Bible. Wylie states: "The Latin Vulgate is the authorized standard in the Church of Rome, and that to the disparagement of the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. These are omitted in the decree [by the Council of Trent], and a translation is substituted. All Protestant translations, such as our authorized English version, Luther's translation, &c. are prohibited" The Papacy; Its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects, p. 181.
Rome's attempt to keep the Bible from men has continued to recent times. Pope Pius VII (1800-1823) denounced Bible Societies and expressed shock at the circulation of the Scriptures. This Pope declared, "It is evidence from experience, that the holy Scriptures, when circulated in the vulgar tongue, have, through the temerity of men, produced more harm than benefit."
Pope Gregory XVI (1831-1846) railed: "against the publication, distribution, reading, and possession of books of the holy Scriptures translated into the vulgar tongue."
Pope Leo XII called the Protestant Bible the "Gospel of the Devil" in an encyclical letter of 1824. In January 1850, he also condemned Bible Societies and admitted the fact that the distribution of Scripture has "long been condemned by the holy chair."
Pope Leo XIII declared, "As it has been clearly shown by experience that, if the holy Bible in the vernacular is generally permitted without any distinction, more harm than utility is thereby caused..." Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII, pp. 412-413.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8 KJV You must have COMPLETE access to the Word in a language you understand to build faith, please God, and succeed in life!
The Bloody Battle to Liberate the Word of GodBIBLE READING BY THE LAITY, RESTRICTIONS ON.Foundations of Christianity: Questions for the Catholic ChurchMedieval Geopolitics: Crusades Against ChristiansThe Cathars: Persecuting Heretical Christians In The 13th Century Learn from the past, so you don't repeat the same evil.