Page 63 - History of Christianity I - Student Textbook

Johnann Gutenberg Produces the First Printed Bible – 1456

During the Middle Ages, few people owned Bibles or books of any kind. Most
books were hand copied on parchment made of animal skins and were
extremely expensive. Not many people could read in their own language, and
many books – the Bible included--- were available only in Latin, a language very
few understood. Even most local priests had little or no knowledge of Latin and
his knowledge of the Bible was extremely limited.

This all changed with the invention of movable pieces of metal type. By setting books in lead type, he could
make many copies at a fraction of the cost of hand-copied texts. In 1456 Gutenberg printed 200 copies of
Jerome’s Vulgate Bible. Within 50 years, printed had out produced centuries of hand copies by monks.
Gutenberg set the stage for the next major development in the church: the Reformation. With this invention,
the reformers could make God’s Word available to “every plowboy and serving maid” and in most languages
that people could understand. With the invention of a complex printing tool, a fire was lit across Europe – one
that spread both the Gospel and literacy.

Savonarola Executed – 1498

By the end of the 15 century the Renaissance flourished in Florence. The republic’s
th
tyrannical ruler, Lorenzo de Medici, has become patron to the arts and brought many great
men there to heighten the culture of his city. However, Medici was self-centered and sought
to corrupt the city with his wealth-conscious life style.

Into this worldly city came Girlamo Savonarola, a zealous, pious Dominican monk who took
seriously his order’s tradition of hard preaching and of austere living. He preached harshly
against sin and the wicked ways of many in the city, especially those in leadership. He also
harshly attacked the Pope Alexander, who was particularly scandalous and had fathered a number of illegitimate
children.

By 1497, the pope excommunicated Savonarola, and within the year ordered his death. He sent two papal
ambassadors to Florence who had instructions to be certain the rebellious friar was executed. Savonarola and
two of his adherents were burned in the city’s great piazza.

Savonarola was not a protestant, but he had a great desire to see people live as those whom Christ had called.
The wealthy, worldly society he opposed could not tolerate his condemnation.

11.4 Let’s Practice…

1. Describe what Hesychasm is and why it is not Biblical:

2. How does the Roman Catholic Church practice Hesychasm prayer?

3. Why was John Wycliffe called the “Morning Star of the Reformation?”

4. Why was John Hus burned at the stake?

5. How did Johnann Gutenberg change the course of history?

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