truth.

a few weeks ago in my UCOR class, we had to write a paper based on several documents from the Renaissance/Humanist & Reformation period (ranging from about 1450-1600). One of the documents particularly struck me. 

This quote is from a Christian Humanist in the 1500s named Erasmus taken from The Paraclesis:

"Indeed, I disagree very much with those who are unwilling that Holy Scripture, translated into the vulgar tongue, be read by the uneducated, as if Christ taught such intricate doctrines that they could scarcely be understood by very few theologians, or as if the strength of the Christian religion consisted in men's ignorance of it...I would that even the lowliest women read the Gospels and the Pauline Epistles. And I would that they were translated into all languages so that they could be read and understood not only by the Scots and Irish but also by Turks and Saracens....Would that, as a result, the farmer sing some portion of them at the plow, the weaver hum some parts of them to movement of his shuttle, the traveler lighten the weariness of the journey with stories of this kind."

Erasmus

I think this quote reminds us that there is a difference between religion and having a personal relationship with God. it's also a good reminder to remember that God is not an exclusive God, but one that desperately wants us to lean on Him, listen to Him, and enjoy Him. It's also important to not judge others - because chances are who have no idea what they are really made of.

Thanks to Luther, Erasmus' wishes were answered. The Bible was translated into several languages quickly thanks to the printing press.

Do you take having a Bible for granted? I know sometimes I do. 

It's important to look back into history and try to imagine what life was like for our ancestors, who fought so hard to get this book into as many peoples' hands as possible.