Help: History of the Bible

marie0006 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:12 pm

I have a friend who is an ill-informed Lutheran, and I relish the chance to educate him. I just need some help in finding supporting documentation.

He claimed the other day that the Catholic Church at one point kept the Bible locked up in order to deny the laity access to it. Apparently the Church did this because they were "inventing" doctrines such as Purgatory that had no scriptural basis, and they didn't want to blow their cover. I replied that they actually kept the Bible locked up because the Bible was not, at that time, in mass circulation (due to the lack of a printing press), and many people did not have access to the Bible. Thus, they provided a public Bible, so to speak, that was kept locked down so it would not be stolen by anyone. First of all, am I right here? And if so, what proof can I provide?

My friend was also unaware about the difference between Catholic and non-Catholic bibles, and about Luther's decision to trim the scriptures up a bit. Where can I find information about Luther's wonderful editing job and the reasons behind it?

Thanks much in advance!

forumjunkie · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:20 pm

marie0006 wrote:

I have a friend who is an ill-informed Lutheran, and I relish the chance to educate him. I just need some help in finding supporting documentation.

He claimed the other day that the Catholic Church at one point kept the Bible locked up in order to deny the laity access to it. Apparently the Church did this because they were "inventing" doctrines such as Purgatory that had no scriptural basis, and they didn't want to blow their cover. I replied that they actually kept the Bible locked up because the Bible was not, at that time, in mass circulation (due to the lack of a printing press), and many people did not have access to the Bible. Thus, they provided a public Bible, so to speak, that was kept locked down so it would not be stolen by anyone. First of all, am I right here? And if so, what proof can I provide?

My friend was also unaware about the difference between Catholic and non-Catholic bibles, and about Luther's decision to trim the scriptures up a bit. Where can I find information about Luther's wonderful editing job and the reasons behind it?

Thanks much in advance!

David Hoge has the best articles on these subjects on his website... http://catholicoutlook.com/objections.php#The%20Bible

You may have to scroll down a bit to the "Bible" objections... But, your questions are answered there...

FJ

Bonaventure · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:30 pm

You mean Gary Hoge?

forumjunkie · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:30 pm

forumjunkie wrote:

marie0006 wrote:

I have a friend who is an ill-informed Lutheran, and I relish the chance to educate him. I just need some help in finding supporting documentation.

He claimed the other day that the Catholic Church at one point kept the Bible locked up in order to deny the laity access to it. Apparently the Church did this because they were "inventing" doctrines such as Purgatory that had no scriptural basis, and they didn't want to blow their cover. I replied that they actually kept the Bible locked up because the Bible was not, at that time, in mass circulation (due to the lack of a printing press), and many people did not have access to the Bible. Thus, they provided a public Bible, so to speak, that was kept locked down so it would not be stolen by anyone. First of all, am I right here? And if so, what proof can I provide?

My friend was also unaware about the difference between Catholic and non-Catholic bibles, and about Luther's decision to trim the scriptures up a bit. Where can I find information about Luther's wonderful editing job and the reasons behind it?

Thanks much in advance!

David Hoge has the best articles on these subjects on his website... http://catholicoutlook.com/objections.php#The%20Bible

You may have to scroll down a bit to the "Bible" objections... But, your questions are answered there...

FJ

I also liked these articles...

http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ325.HTM
http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2004_09_ ... 9350783122

FJ

forumjunkie · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:32 pm

bonaventure wrote:

You mean Gary Hoge?

Heh... I guess it HAS been a while since I have been there... Used to be my little home on the net until I stumbled upon you losers...

Yes, Gary Hoge... No offence Gary... Your website and articles are still the most referenced and recommended by me...

FJ

marie0006 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:40 pm

Thank you, FJ! Looks like some good stuff!

Obi-Wan Kenobi · **Posted:** Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:57 am

Find a copy of Where We Got The Bible.

Help: History of the Bible

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