The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, whereas the New Testament was written in Greek. Early translations of the scriptures from the Greek into other languages are called Versions. Portions in Syriac have survived from the second century until this day. In AD 384 Jerome revised the Latin New Testament. From 387-405 he translated the Old Testament into Latin. The resulting translation of both the Old and New Testaments form The Latin Vulgate (vulgate meaning “the common tongue”). While Latin may have been the common tongue in Jerome’s day, it certainly was not 1000 years later.
By the Middle Ages, the scriptures were kept from the laity. When Constantine Copronymus, a reformer of the sect known as the Paulicians, received a copy of the New Testament around AD 850, it was received as a gift of inestimable value.
John Wycliffe
Portions of the scriptures were translated into the so-called vulgar tongues, as early as the seventh century. King Alfred had the four Gospels translated in the latter part of the ninth century. Peter Waldo had the Gospels translated along with some other books of the Bible around 1160. However, it was not until John Wycliffe in 1382, that an entire translation was completed from the Latin Vulgate, and that, into English. Wycliffe apparently undertook the New Testament, while his friend Nicholas Hereford translated the Old. His faithful curate, John Purvey, revised the whole four years after Wycliffe’s death.
For the first time the scriptures were accessible to the laity in their own tongue, though in a limited way. The results were remarkable. In the words of Dr. Lingard, the Roman Catholic historian: “He made a new translation, multiplied copies with the aid of transcribers, and by his poor priests recommended it to the perusal of his hearers. In their hands it became an engine of wonderful power. Men were flattered with the appeal to their private judgment; the new doctrines insensibly acquired partizans and protectors in the higher classes, who alone were acquainted with the use of letters; a spirit of inquiry was generated; and the seeds were sown of that religious revolution, which, in little more than a century, astonished and convulsed the nations of Europe.”
Wycliffe organized no sect, but the power of his teaching is seen in the labours of his disciples. Called Lollards, they were to be found everywhere. Denying the authority of Rome, and maintaining the supremacy of the Word of God, the so-called poor preachers maintained a simple and spiritual life, taking the gospel to the people in the streets.
“For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)).
The Burning of Heretics in England
Up until the beginning of the fifteenth century there had been no statute law in England that permitted burning of heretics. This ended with the ascension of the first of the Lancastrians to the throne, Henry IV. Bowing to the will of Archbishop Arundel, Henry issued a royal edict ordering that: “On a high place in public, before the face of the people, the incorrigible heretic is to be burnt alive.” Alarmed by the supposed revolutionary aims of the Lollards, Parliament sanctioned the King’s decree. In the year 1400, the burning of heretics became a statute law in England. In 1408 a council in Oxford forbade English translations of the Bible and decreed that possession of such translations had to be approved by diocesan authorities.
The Effects in Bohemia
The union of Anne of Bohemia and Richard II of England in 1382 brought the two countries into close connection. Students from Prague studied at Oxford, a haven for the teachings of Wycliffe, and students from Oxford studied in Prague. As a result, the writings of Wycliffe spread to Europe, and in particular to Bohemia. At the council of Constance in 1416, 32 years after the death of Wycliffe, the Bishop of Lodi declared that the heresies of Wycliffe and Huss were spread over England, France, Italy, Hungary, Russia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and through all Bohemia. At that same council, Wycliffe’s bones were ordered disinterred. This did not occur until 1420, at which time his bones were dug up, burnt, and the ashes thrown into the river Swift.
John Huss
John Huss was a scholar of the university of Prague, greatly distinguished by his attainments. Huss was a true Christian and a zealous preacher, holding the truth of salvation by grace without works of law. However, as was common amongst the reformers, the abuses of the church were often the subject of his teaching, and this brought him into notice with the church authorities.
With a safe passage assured by the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, Huss made his way to Constance to appear before the council. Despite the promise of a safe passage, he was condemned for heresy and thrown into prison with the decree passed that no faith ought to be kept with a heretic. On the morning of July 6th, 1415, Huss was condemned and sentence was passed: “That for several years John Huss has seduced and scandalized the people by the dissemination of many doctrines manifestly heretical, and condemned by the church, especially those of John Wycliffe.” John Huss was, with great ceremony, cut off from the ecclesiastical body, and then turned over to the civil authorities to be burnt at the stake. On the 30th of May, 1416, Huss’ friend and fellow laborer, Jerome of Prague, was delivered to the civil authorities for a like condemnation. It is recorded that Jerome went joyfully to the stake, singing and praying until his last breath.
The Printing Press
John Gutenberg, substituting movable metal type for wooden letters, discovered the art of printing in the year 1436. The first complete book to be printed was a Latin Vulgate Bible of 641 leaves. It appears that the printers were motivated by money, and the first edition was sold for the high price demanded for manuscripts. It was not until the second printing in 1462, that the deceit was discovered and the process was revealed. Latin Bibles were the favorite book of the printer. Translations rapidly appeared thereafter: an Italian version in 1474, Bohemian in 1475, Dutch in 1477, French in 1477, and Spanish in 1478.
What the Early Reformers Held
The reformers, Wycliffe and Huss, along with others of the period, were harbingers of the reformation. The movement resulting from Wycliffe’s work was largely driven underground after his death. However, his teaching affected many — Huss in particular, and through Huss, Luther. Wycliffe preached against the papal system, “The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only source of true religion. The pope is Antichrist, the proud worldly priest of Rome, and the most cursed of clippers and purse-carvers.” In 1381 Wycliffe published 12 statements on the Lord’s supper. In these he denied the Roman doctrine of Transubstantiation as unscriptural. Huss denounced the doctrine of salvation by works, and he spoke out against the false ecclesiastical system of popery. Meanwhile, the Church of Rome made every effort to keep the scriptures from the people. They decreed that the clergy must interpret the Bible, “it is a book full of brambles, with vipers in them.” Printers who were convicted of having printed Bibles were burnt. In the year 1534 about twenty men and one woman were burnt alive in Paris. However, other brave printers kept God’s Word available.