Lecture Notes: The Historical Impact of the Bible and the Reformation

Introduction

• The Bible as a controversial book for nearly 2,000 years.
• Persecution faced by those who translated or read the Bible.
• Believers were imprisoned, beaten, killed for reading it.

Early Christianity

• Jesus of Nazareth's life and death profoundly changed the world.
• Followers testified to His resurrection.
• The Gospel was first preached to the Jews, then to the Gentiles.

Spread of the Gospel

• The Apostle Paul and establishment of churches.
• New Testament recorded through the four Gospels and letters by the apostles.
• Prophecy in the scriptures: predicting Christ's coming and second coming.
• Warnings of false teachings and persecution.

Church History

• Early persecution of Christians by Roman emperors.
• Constantine's conversion and the Edict of Milan granting tolerance to Christians.
• The blending of pagan practices with Christianity.
• Apostolic union between church and world power.

Dark Ages and the Bible's Prohibition

• Dominicans and Pope Innocent III's role in initiating the Inquisition.
• Persecution of Albigenses and other Bible-believing Christians.
• The Waldenses maintained Bible-believing traditions.

Protestant Reformation

• John Wycliffe's translation of the Bible into Middle English.
• Criticism of transubstantiation and Catholic doctrines.
• Wycliffe's posthumous condemnation by the Catholic Church.
• Influence of Wycliffe and Jan Huss on Martin Luther.

Martin Luther and the Reformation

• Luther's break from the Catholic Church over indulgences and salvation by faith.
• Erasmus's Greek New Testament influenced Luther's thinking.
• Tyndale translated the Bible into English, was executed for his efforts.

The Counter-Reformation

• Jesuits were formed to counter the Reformation.
• Role of Jesuits in education and infiltration.
• Council of Trent refuted Protestant teachings.

The Gunpowder Plot

• Jesuit involvement in the Gunpowder Plot to overthrow King James I.
• Impact of the thwarted plot on the King James Bible translation.

The King James Bible

• Translation process of the King James Bible starting in 1604.
• The impact of the King James Bible on Protestantism and the English language.

Continuing Controversies

• Current debates on modern Bible translations.
• Questions about Vatican influence on biblical translations and teachings.

Conclusion

• The ongoing influence of the Bible on Christianity and its history.
• Reformation's impact on religious freedom and interpretation of scriptures.