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History of the Bible

  1. Lesson One
    Revelation and Canon
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Transmission and Translation
    19 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    Reformation and Publication
    16 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Modern Bible Translation
    15 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    The Bible Movement Today
    14 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Wrap-Up
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment
Lesson 3, Activity 10

In Front | Workbook: The Regulation of Bibles in the Middle Ages

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

The Christian Council of Toulouse in 1229 resulted in the following proclamation on Bible ownership: 

We prohibit also that the laity should be permitted to have the books of the Old and the New Testament . . . (and) we most strictly forbid their having any translation of these books.

  1. This statement, like similar ones from church councils in 1231, 1233 and 1246, was a striking development in the history of the Bible. In early Christianity the distribution and private ownership of the Bible was encouraged and facilitated by church authorities. Where did this pronouncement come from and what provoked it? Take a quick guess.