TITLE: ANSWERS TO ROME'S 25-QUESTION TRACT WHICH TRIES TO REFUTE THE 'BIBLE-ONLY THEORY' -- Part 2 of 3 - Questions 13-24

Subtitle: Nothing is more important to both Protestant and Roman Catholic as this issue of whether the Bible is the sole source of Divine Word, knowledge and inspiration. Read both sides of the issue and make up your mind. Author is Becky Sexton, Former Catholics For Christ [FCFC]

One of our Catholic readers sent us the spring, 1994, copy of Crying in the Wilderness Newsletter (a Roman Catholic Quarterly Produced by the Benedictine Monks of Most Holy Family Monastery). This newsletter contained an article entitled, "Answers to 25 Questions on the History of the New Testament which completely refute the Protestant’s ‘Bible Only Theory’". (This article, in turn, was taken from the book, The Catholic Religion Proved by the Protestant Bible).

The first thing you notice when looking at the newsletter is the huge bold print which says:

"The ‘Bible Alone’ is Not Enough"

We here at "Former Catholics For Christ" have decided to use this issue to answer each of their 25 questions and comments. First, we would like to clarify our stand on the "KJB only" issue. We know many people who use the King James Bible and still do not know the truth. We believe that the Bible alone is not enough; you need the Holy Spirit to teach you. Job 32:8 says: "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."

Second, we also believe that "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Jn.3:3) Third, we also hold that no scripture is of "private-interpretation" (2 Pet.1:20), but rather, the Holy Spirit interprets His own word by comparing scripture with scripture.

One more comment before we proceed. The fact that their newsletter calls the King James Bible a "Protestant Bible", not only brings great joy to our souls, but testifies that the King James Bible truly is a clear protest against Catholicism (read Rev.17 and 18) (The newer versions support unbiblical Catholic doctrine). It also is an admission that they did not give me my Bible, for it is a "Protestant Bible". We proudly hold to the purity of the "Protestant" King James Bible!

Now on to the questions as posed by this Roman Catholic article. We will first post the question, the Catholic answer and comment, to be followed by FCFC’s answers and comments.

 

QUESTION #THIRTEEN -- Would the theory of private interpretation of the New Testament have been possible for the year 400 A.D.?

  1. Catholic answer -- No, because, as already stated, no New Testament as such was in existence.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: If our non-Catholic brethren today had no Bibles, how could they even imagine following the 'Bible-only privately interpreted' theory; but before 400 A.D., New Testaments were altogether unavailable.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: The answer to the question is no ... no scripture is of private interpretation. However, it is here we see a good example of Rome’s attempt to twist the words of her opponents. What started out as the "Bible-only theory" has now become "Bible-only private interpretation theory". As we stated in the beginning, Christians DO NOT teach "private interpretation" (2 Pet. 1:20), they teach that the Holy Spirit interprets His own word by comparing scriptures. 1 John 2:27 says: "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." As we see, the Lord’s Spirit abides in us and teaches us: "...if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Rom.8:9)
  4. FCFC’S COMMENT: Their comment that "no New Testament as such was in existence" before 400 A.D. is a lie. The Old Latin Vulgate (157 A.D) (not Jerome’s corrupt Latin Vulgate) and the Syrian Peshitto (145 A.D.) already existed. Rome has privately interpreted eight scriptures "infallibly" and every one of them was spiritually incorrect. For more information read Dr. Peter Ruckman’s book Rome, the Great Private Interpreter. The Holy Spirit promises to teach us "all things", unlike the Catholic church, He does not let His people starve for spiritual food. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart...." (Jer.15:16)


QUESTION #FOURTEEN -- Would the private interpretation theory have been possible between 400 A.D., and 1440 A.D., when printing was invented?

  1. Catholic Answer -- No, the cost of individual Bibles written by hand was prohibitive; moreover, due to the scarcity of books, and other reasons, the ability to read was limited to a small minority. The Church used art, drama and other means to convey Biblical messages.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: To have proposed the ‘Bible-only’ theory during the above period would obviously have been impracticable and irrational.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: Again, the answer is no...no scripture is of private interpretation. Concerning the "scarcity of books", God did not command us to "study" and then not provide the means to obey. We have many versions that remain as a testimony today. The Armenian Bible is referred to as "The Queen of Versions" because of its unusually high number of extant copies (1,244). This translation was made by another soul winner, Mesrob, in approximately A.D. 400; and, it matches the readings in the King James Bible. Then we have the Georgian version for the people dwelling between the Black and Caspian Seas of southern Russian. This translation is also thought to be the work of Mesrob.
  4. FCFC’S COMMENT: Rome boasts of all the writings that she had in her possession long before the printing press was invented, yet denies anyone else had any ability to copy or write without a printing press...just another example of "Double-think" (holding two contradicting ideas simultaneously and believing them both).


QUESTION #FIFTEEN -- Who copied and conserved the Bible during the interval between 400 A.D. and 1440 A.D.?

  1. Catholic Answer -- The Catholic monks; in many cases these spent their entire lives to give the world personally penned copies of the Scriptures, before printing was invented.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: In spite of this, the Catholic Church is accused of having tried to destroy the Bible; had she desired to do this, she had 1500 years within which to do so.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: From 400 A.D. till 1400 A.D., Rome began her attack against the true word. First, the Council used the corrupt manuscripts out of Alexandria, Egypt to produce a bible to combat the true Bible from Antioch. They even went so far as to name it "Vulgate" in an attempt to deceive people into thinking it was the same as the "Old Latin Vulgate" (157A.D.) When this did not succeed, they made war against those who trusted in the true Bible, and left a trail of blood that spans the centuries. A major blow came to Rome from within her own system. A young Catholic priest by the name of Martin Luther nailed a 95 page theses on the church door in Wittenburg. He then proceeded to pull out the ammo...he translated the Received Text into German and Rome was struck a mortal wound to her authority by the word of God.


QUESTION #SIXTEEN -- Who gave the Reformers the authority to change over from the one Faith, one Fold and one Shepherd program, to that of the ‘Bible-only theory’?

  1. Catholic Answer -- St. Paul seems to answer the above when he said: ‘But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.’ (Galatians 1:8 - Protestant version).
  2. THEIR COMMENT: If in 300 years, one-third of Christianity was split into at least 300 sects, how many sects would three-thirds of Christianity have produced in 1900 years? (Answer is 5700).
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: First of all, Rome has not held to a "one Shepherd program" herself. At one point, she had three "infallible" popes, all claiming supreme authority over the church, all solemnly excommunicating the other two. Secondly, Jesus claims to be the one Shepherd, (Jn.10:14) and Peter also calls Jesus the "Chief Shepherd" (1Pet.5:4). If we are to hold to "one Shepherd", then we choose Jesus, not a man who must use distorted doctrine to hold sway over people’s minds and especially not one who usurps Jesus Christ’s authority and blasphemously exalts himself to a god-like status. The word of God commands us to try the spirit: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."(1Jn.4:1) The dynasty of the Roman papacy has produced a most remarkable group of "Shepherds". Peter De Rosa, in his book Vicars of Christ: The Dark Side of the Papacy, on page 30 paints us a very vivid picture of these men: "...among the popes were a large number of married men, some of whom gave up their wives and children in exchange for the papal office. Many were sons of priests, bishops and popes; some were bastards; one was a widower, another an ex-slave; several were murderers, some unbelievers; some were hermits, some heretics, sadists and sodomites; many became popes by buying the papacy (simony), and continued their days selling holy things to rake in the money; one at least was a Satan- worshipper; some fathered illegitimate children, some were fornicators and adulterers on a grand scale; some were astonishingly old, some even more astonishingly young; some were poisoned, others strangled; worst of all were those who worshipped a granite God." It is possible to be led astray by one claiming to be the shepherd as evidenced by Zech.11: 15-17: "And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened." We only need read the Bible to see if indeed Rome has adhered to the one true faith, and she has not. The Bible clearly describes Roman Catholicism: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." (1Jn.2:19)


QUESTION #SEVENTEEN -- Since Luther, what consequences have followed from the use of the `Bible-only' theory and its personal interpretation?

  1. Catholics Answer -- Just what St. Paul foretold when he said: ‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.’ 2 Timothy 4:3 (Protestant edition). According to the World Almanac for 1953 there are in the United States 20 different organizations of Methodists, 22 kinds of Baptists, 10 branches of Presbyterians, 13 organizations of Mennonites, 18 of Lutherans and hundreds of other denominations.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: The ‘Bible-only’ theory may indeed cater to the self-exaltation of the individual, but it certainly does not conduce to the acquisition of Divine truth.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: The consequences of the Reformation is the freedom men have to seek out of the book of the Lord and read as He commanded them (Isa.34:16), and to follow the Lord as their conscience dictates, instead of following unbiblical rituals whose foundations are rooted in paganism instead of Christ. (Col.2:8) The division comes from Catholicism herself. Keep in mind that the Reformers were Catholic, therefore Catholicism is divided. There was always the true church of Christ that was never a part of Rome or any of her doctrines. (For more information, read Trail of Blood, by Carroll.)When Rome couldn’t destroy the Reformation from without, by the shedding of blood, they cleverly brought in their corrupted manuscripts, claiming them to be the "oldest and most reliable", and thereby attempting to destroy the Reformation from within. The newer versions support unbiblical Catholic doctrine and have caused so much confusion, that there is very little "protest" going on from those who broke away from Rome. The ecumenical movement will eventually unite the "mother" (Catholicism) back with her "harlots" (apostate Protestantism) to fulfill the final prophecies concerning the "whore of Babylon".


QUESTION #EIGHTEEN -- In Christ's system, what important part has the Bible?

  1. The Bible is one precious source of religious truth; other sources are historical records (Tradition) and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: Elimination of any one of the three elements in the equation of Christ's true Church would be fatal to its claims to be such.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: O Lord, thou "...hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (Ps.138:2 I) The reason the Lord put the word above His name was because it was the word of God that declared His name. It was the word of God that prophesied of His coming. Jesus said: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (Jn.5:39) The Lord promised to preserve His word (Ps.12:6-7) but He did not promise to preserve the "church fathers". "...Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit." (Jer.16:19) In Jeremiah 44:16-17, the people said: "As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven...."
  4. FCFC’S COMMENT: This "tradition" that came forth "out of our own mouth" brought destruction down on them. And the Lord said that those who escaped "shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs." (Jer.44:28) Tradition is not always truth, some are legend, some are exaggerations and others are directly opposed to the scriptures. Tradition is subject unto the word of God. The word of God is not subject to tradition nor is it equal. The "abiding presence of the Holy Spirit" is what enables the Christian to understand and obey the truth.
  5. CUTTING EDGE COMMENT: As I read of the importance of the Bible in the Roman Catholic Church, I could not help but remember that I have heard this first statement, above, somewhere else. Listen to the Catholic statement, above: " The Bible is one precious source of religious truth". Where had I heard another similar statement? Of course, from the Satanic system of Freemasonry! They, too, state that the Bible is but one important source to spiritual knowledge!


QUESTION #NINETEEN -- Now that the New Testament is complete and available, what insolvable problem remains?

  1. Catholic Answer -- The impossibility of the Bible to explain itself and the consequent multiplicity of errors which individuals make by their theory of private interpretation. Hence it is indisputable that the Bible must have an authorized interpreter. 2 Peter 1-20: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2 Peter 3-16: As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Acts 8-30-31: And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some men should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: Only by going on the supposition that falsehood is as acceptable to God as is truth, can the `Bible-only' theory be defended.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: There is no insolvable problem. The Bible does explain itself when the Scripture Comparison Method is used, i.e., comparing Scripture with other Scripture. The only "authorized interpreter" is the Holy Spirit. 2 Cor.3:14-17 elaborates on the need for the Spirit to teach: "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Yes, some scriptures are hard to understand. In those cases, if after having prayed and compared all like scriptures, you still don’t understand, wait on the Lord, He gives knowledge an understanding to whom He will, at different times, for various reasons. If you knew all things then you would be God, wouldn’t you? Part of God’s plan to teach his people is to give one member of his body the information that another needs. This is what transpired in Philip’s situation, the eunuch was searching God’s word and Philip knew the interpretation, because he knew Jesus. Teaching others about the gospel is one of Christ’s gifts to His people. "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men...And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Eph.4:8,11,12 and 14)
  4. FCFC’S COMMENT: When Philip asked the eunuch if he understood the prophecy in Isaiah 53, the eunuch said, "How can I, except some man should guide me?". One must remember that the eunuch was not saved and did not have the Spirit of Christ to teach him. When we are saved, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph.1:13), who also promises to guide us into all truth. (Jn.16:13)


QUESTION #TWENTY -- Who is the official expounder of the Scriptures?

  1. The Holy Spirit, acting through and within the Church which Christ founded nineteen centuries ago; the Bible teaches through whom in the Church come the official interpretations of God's law and God’s word. Luke 10-16: He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. Matt.16-18: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mal. 2-7: For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: Formerly at least, it was commonly held that when individuals read their Bibles carefully and prayerfully, the Ho1y Spirit would guide each individual to a knowledge of the truth. This is much more than the Catholic Church claims for even the Pope himself. Only after extended consultation and study, with much fervent prayer, does he rarely and solemnly make such a decision.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: The Holy Spirit is the only interpreter of His word. John 16:13-15 clearly says: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." Matt.16:18 does in no way make Peter the first pope or the Rock of the church. Jesus is the Rock (1Cor.10:4). Peter (Aramaic- Cephas or Kephas) means stone according to John 1:42 which uses the Aramaic and the Greek so as to clarify any confusion over the word or the language, "...thou shalt be called Cephas [Aramaic], which is by interpretation, A stone [Petros]." It is not a fact already in evidence that the Catholic church was founded by Christ. This is a fallacious claim believed only by those who are spoon-fed the pseudo-historical pap of the papacy.
  4. FCFC’S COMMENT: It is surprising that they used Malachi 2:7 as a proof text. Were they hoping that no Catholic would read the unflattering verses that followed?


QUESTION #TWENTY-ONE -- What are the effects of the Catholic use of the Bible?

  1. Catholic Answer -- Regardless of what persons may think about the Catholic Church, they must admit that her system gets results in the way of unity of rule and unity of faith; otherwise stated, one Faith, one Fold and one Shepherd.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: If many millions of non-Catholics in all nations, by reading their Bible carefully and prayerfully, had exactly the same faith, reached the same conclusions, then this theory might deserve the serious consideration of intelligent, well-disposed persons-but not otherwise.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: The effects [Fruits] of the Catholic's use of the Bible have been ignorance, spiritual blindness, apathy, and laziness. Since Roman Catholicism teaches her subjects that they cannot understand God’s word, this leaves little incentive for the average Catholic to even pick up a Bible, let alone read and study it. In America you have a unique group of Catholics. They live in a free society where they are taught that all men are equal, yet in their spiritual life, they forfeit those rights believing that God is a respecter of persons, when indeed, He is not. (Acts 10:34) Holding these two conflicting ideas causes the average American Catholic to become apathetic to his own religion and become what is known as a "cafeteria Catholic". Many who consider themselves "good Catholics" do not hold every doctrine of the Catholic faith, but just as one picks and chooses at a cafeteria, they pick and choose the doctrines most palatable to their lifestyles. If they openly disagree with the RCC they risk "losing" their salvation. So, from the layperson’s point of perspective, it’s better to give verbal assent while using mental reserve. In light of conversations we have had with other Catholic laymen, we find they disagree on several issues but because of the supposed authority of the church to excommunicate they gloss over any differences with the cry of "Unity". "Mother" church must be obeyed, even at the extreme cost of the loss of one’s soul, or perhaps time in "purgatory". The unity you speak of is a unity born of spurious authority and corrupt doctrine and indeed, is not unity at all.
  4. FCFC’S COMMENT: There are those who, by reading their Bible prayerfully, have the same faith and reached the same conclusions. This is the true body of Christ. Admittedly it is a small group, but that is as it should be for scripture states: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Mt.7:13- 15) Their boast that "regardless of what persons may think about the Catholic Church, they must admit that her system gets results" has a great deal of truth in it. Rome is notorious for her management of truth and her ability to control her subjects through ignorance and false information. Hitler used the same Jesuit tactics on German youths, and found it quite effective. I highly recommend a most excellent book called Communism, Democracy and Catholic Power by Paul Blandshard that compares the Kremlin and Catholicism, showing the similarities of the two powers in contrast to Democracy.


QUESTION #TWENTY-TWO -- Why are there so many non-Catholic Churches?

  1. Catholic Answer -- Because there is so much different interpretation of the Bible; there is so much different interpretation of the Bible because there is so much wrong interpretation; there is so much wrong interpretation because the system of interpreting is radically wrong. You cannot have one Fold and one Shepherd, one Faith and one Baptism, by allowing every man and every woman to destort and pervert the Scriptures to suit his or her own pet theories.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: To say that Bible reading is an intensely Christian practice, is to enunciate a beautiful truth; to say that Bible reading is the sole source of religious faith, is to make a sadly erroneous statement.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: As the Reformation moved across Europe, large numbers of people found the courage to leave an oppressive religious-political system and try to return to a simple faith based on biblical worship of God. Unfortunately, what happened was that they always seemed to hold on to one or more doctrines of the institution they had left. Every group held to different ideas as to what should be changed or retained. It was also very difficult for these people to let go of the idea of being told how and what to believe in exchange for the freedom of the truth Jesus promised. Institutionalized religion is not the body of Christ, be it Catholic or Protestant. It is made up of those who are called out by the Lord to be his members and to spread his word. These people come from all walks of life and diverse circumstances. God knows the heart. Men do not. He has chosen what is weak an despised of men to reprove the "wise" who are their own god.(1Cor.1:26-27) With good reason the scripture identifies the Catholic church as: "...MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." (Rev.17:5) The Protestant churches who broke with her yet retained her practices were the children of the mother harlot that so corrupted the word and the world. As the end draws near we see less and less of the Protestants "protesting" Rome’s abominations. This is a result of the retained unbiblical practices combined with the desecrated manuscripts they call a bible. Most people have been convinced by sophistry that the King James is unreliable, while other versions are better and more easily understood. Not true. If people would study and compare scripture from a few of these versions they would soon see the differences. I don’t mean a simple word change, I’m talking about verses turned around to mean exactly the opposite of what the verse actually meant. I’m talking about seven or eight scriptures in a row just completely wiped out, not there. We should try to be good students of the Bible and study all of it as our eternal destination depends on it.
  4. CUTTING EDGE COMMENT: The Roman Catholic insistence of "unity" does great damage to the Grace and Freedom inherent in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Romans 14 and 15, Paul goes to great lengths to enunciate this new freedom of action and belief which we have in Jesus Christ. Then, Paul also goes to great lengths to show how a love for a weaker Christian brother places great restraint on the freedom of action of a believer. Roman Catholics are bound to one another in an enforced "unity" just like slaves were bound together in the hold of an old ship manning the oars. When the ship sank, all the slaves perished together!


QUESTION #TWENTY-THREE -- Without Divine aid, could the Catholic Church have maintained her one Faith, one Fold, and one Shepherd?

  1. Catholic Answer -- Not any more than the non-Catholic sects have done; they are a proof of what happens when, without Divine aid, groups strive to do the humanly impossible.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: Catholics love, venerate, use the Bible; but they also know that the Bible alone is not Christ's system but only a precious book, a means, an aid by which the Church carries on her mission to ‘preach the Gospel to every living creature’ and to keep on preaching it ‘to the end of time.’ [Just like the Freemasons believe!]
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: As we have stated before, the "One Faith, one Fold, one Shepherd" claim of Rome is a myth. At one point, Catholicism had three popes, which means she strayed from her own "program" of "one Shepherd", there are several other examples. Their only unity comes from fear, uncertainty, ignorance and laziness: fear of what those in authority can do, uncertainty about salvation, ignorance of scripture and/or historical evidences and laziness allowing someone else to interpret scripture instead of trusting the Holy Spirit to teach, as He said He would do. As mentioned before, Protestant groups are break-offs of the RCC and do not necessarily have any more divine aid then she. Divine aid is given on an individual basis, not collectively. Satanists have been around for thousands of years and have maintained their position of one Faith (Satanism), one Fold (the Brotherhood) and one Shepherd (ultimately, the Antichrist). I dare say without divine aid. We do, however, believe that God foreseeing the blasphemous "whore", forewarned us of her existence in Revelation 17 and 18.


QUESTION #TWENTY-FOUR -- Were there any printed Bibles before Luther?

  1. Catholic Answer -- When printing was invented about 1440, one of the first, if not the earliest printed book, was an edition of the Catholic Bible printed by John Gutenberg. It is reliably maintained that 626 editions of the Catholic Bible, or portions thereof, had come from the press through the agency of the Church, in countries where her influence prevailed, before Luther’s German version appeared in 1534. Of these, many were in various European languages. Hence Luther’s ‘discovery’ of the supposedly unknown Bible at Erfurt in 1503 is one of those strange, wild calumnies with which anti-Catholic literature abounds.
  2. THEIR COMMENT: Today parts of the Bible are read in the vernacular from every Catholic altar every Sunday. The Church grants a spiritual premium or indulgence to those who read the Bible; every Catholic family has, or is supposed to have, a Bible in the home. Millions of Catholic Bibles are sold annually.
  3. FCFC’S ANSWER: As we have shown previously, there were many Bibles in existence before Luther. For the Syrian people dwelling northeast of Palestine, there were at least four major versions: "...the Peshitto (A.D. 145); the Old Syriac (A.D. 400); the Palestinian Syriac (A.D. 450) and the Philozenian (A.D. 508), which was revised by Thomas of Harkel in A.D. 616 and henceforth known as the Harclean Syriac...The first translation into a purely European tongue is know as the Gothic version. This work was prepared in 330 A. D. by the soul-winning missionary Ulfilas...The Armenian Bible is referred to as the "Queen of Versions" because of its unusually high number of extant copies (1,244)...Then we have the Georgian version for the people dwelling between the Black and Caspian Seas....The first Latin translation of the Bible is known as the ‘Old Latin’ and was made no later than A.D. 157" (Final Authority, Grady, 34-35). The only difference is they were printed on papyrus, parchment and vellum.
  4. FCFC’S COMMENT: Reading the Bible is a necessity for spiritual growth and should be done cheerfully and willingly every day if possible. To grant an indulgence as an incentive to read is insulting to the person and to God, especially in light of the fact indulgences are another invention of the papacy and have no scriptural support.


Rebecca Sexton, Editor, Former Catholics For Christ

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If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, but have come to realize His reality and want to accept His FREE Gift of Eternal Life, you can also do so now, in the privacy of your home. Once you accept Him as Savior, you are spiritually Born Again, and are as assured of Heaven as if you were already there. Then, you can rest assured that nothing will not hurt you spiritually. You will also know the greatest heart peace that the greatest God can give to one of His own children.

If you would like to become Born Again, and come to know this wonderful heart peace, turn to our Salvation Page now.

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