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The survival of the Bible is nothing short of miraculous, considering the intense efforts to suppress, destroy, or manipulate its message throughout the centuries. Political, religious, and even philosophical agendas have targeted the Bible, seeking to eliminate or restrict access to its teachings. However, despite numerous attempts by rulers and religious authorities to eradicate its influence, the Word of God has not only survived but flourished, becoming the most widely distributed and translated book in history. This phenomenon is not a coincidence but is grounded in the providential protection of God’s message and the courage of those who have sought to preserve and disseminate His Word.

The Bible’s preservation demonstrates the truth of Isaiah 40:8, which says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” This enduring quality of Scripture is a testament to its divine origin and purpose. This article will explore the historical efforts to destroy the Bible, how it survived, and the impact it has had despite these threats.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

The Threat from Political Authorities

Throughout history, political leaders have recognized the power of the Bible and have sought to suppress it when they saw it as a threat to their control. The Bible’s message of truth, justice, and the sovereignty of God often stands in stark contrast to the ambitions of earthly rulers, making it a target for destruction.

The Campaign of Antiochus Epiphanes Against the Hebrew Scriptures

One of the earliest recorded attempts to destroy the Scriptures took place during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who ruled from 175 B.C.E. to 164 B.C.E. Around 167 B.C.E., Antiochus initiated a brutal campaign to impose Greek religion and culture on the Jewish people. This campaign included an outright assault on the Hebrew Scriptures, which contained the laws and teachings of Jehovah that were central to Jewish identity and religious practice. The historian Heinrich Graetz describes how the king’s officials sought out and destroyed copies of the Law (the Torah), “tore and burnt the rolls of the Law whenever they found them, and killed those who were found to seek strength and consolation in their perusal.”

Antiochus’ efforts to eliminate the Hebrew Scriptures were part of a broader attempt to extinguish Jewish religious practices altogether, as evidenced by the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem and the outlawing of key Jewish observances, such as circumcision and Sabbath keeping. Yet, despite these aggressive efforts, Antiochus failed to destroy the Scriptures or the Jewish faith. The Jews continued to secretly preserve their sacred texts, ensuring that they would be passed down to future generations. The story of the Maccabean revolt, detailed in the historical books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, illustrates how the Jewish people resisted Antiochus’ campaign and ultimately restored their religious freedom.

Antiochus’ failure to eradicate the Hebrew Scriptures can be seen as an early example of the divine protection over God’s Word. Just as Antiochus’ empire eventually crumbled, so too did his efforts to destroy the Scriptures, which continue to be revered and studied to this day.

Persecution in the Middle Ages: Church Authorities and the Laity

During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church held significant power in Europe, and the clergy often sought to control access to the Scriptures. The Church’s authority rested on its interpretation of the Bible, which was largely inaccessible to the common people due to its availability only in Latin, a language most laypeople could not read. Some church leaders were concerned that allowing laypeople to access and interpret the Bible for themselves would undermine the Church’s authority and lead to doctrinal confusion or rebellion.

As a result, possession of the Bible, particularly in vernacular languages, was often forbidden. One church council in the Middle Ages went so far as to command its men to “diligently, faithfully, and frequently seek out the heretics . . . by searching all houses and subterranean chambers which lie under any suspicion.” The council directed that any house in which a heretic was found should be destroyed. Heretics, in this context, were often defined as laypeople who dared to possess or read parts of the Bible other than the Psalms in Latin.

This aggressive stance against laypeople owning and reading the Bible was part of a broader effort to suppress reform movements and ensure that only the clergy could interpret and teach Scripture. Yet, despite these harsh measures, there were individuals and groups who bravely continued to copy, translate, and distribute the Bible, even at great personal risk. This commitment to preserving God’s Word in the face of persecution is a testament to the enduring power of Scripture and the courage of those who believed in its transformative message.

How the Bible Survived Through the Diaspora and the Early Church

Despite the efforts of rulers like Antiochus and later religious authorities, the Bible survived because of the resilience of the Jewish people and the early Christians. One key reason for the Bible’s survival was the Jewish diaspora. By the first century C.E., an estimated 60 percent of Jews lived outside of Israel. These Jewish communities, scattered across the Roman Empire and beyond, maintained synagogues where copies of the Hebrew Scriptures were kept and studied. Acts 15:21 references this widespread dispersion of the Scriptures, stating, “For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” This extensive distribution of the Scriptures across many lands made it much more difficult for any single ruler or government to destroy them.

The Jewish diaspora played a significant role in the preservation of the Old Testament, but the early Christian church also contributed to the survival and spread of the Scriptures. From the earliest days of Christianity, the Hebrew Scriptures (what Christians refer to as the Old Testament) were central to the teachings of the apostles and early believers. The early Christians viewed these Scriptures as the inspired Word of God, containing prophecies and teachings that pointed to Jesus Christ as the Messiah. As they spread the gospel message throughout the Roman Empire, they brought the Scriptures with them.

The New Testament writings, which began to be composed in the first century C.E., were quickly recognized by the early church as authoritative and inspired by God. These writings, along with the Hebrew Scriptures, formed the foundation of Christian teaching and practice. Even in the face of persecution, early Christians continued to copy and distribute these sacred texts. For example, during the Great Persecution under the Roman Emperor Diocletian (beginning in 303 C.E.), Christians were ordered to surrender their copies of the Scriptures to be burned. Many believers, however, refused to comply, choosing instead to hide or protect their copies of the Bible. This determination ensured that the Scriptures would continue to be passed down to future generations.

The Bible in the Middle Ages and the Reformation

During the Middle Ages, despite the suppression by church authorities, the Bible continued to be copied and translated, particularly by those who believed that God’s Word should be accessible to all people. Before the invention of the movable-type printing press in the mid-15th century, handwritten copies of the Bible were already being produced in several languages. Scholars estimate that portions of the Bible were available in as many as 33 languages during this time. This widespread translation effort laid the groundwork for the explosion of Bible production that would come with the advent of printing.

One of the most significant figures in the history of Bible translation during this period was William Tyndale. Tyndale, a scholar and linguist, was deeply committed to the belief that the Bible should be available to all people in their native language. He famously said, “I will cause a boy that driveth the plow shall know more of the Scriptures than [a priest].” Tyndale’s passion for making the Bible accessible led him to translate the New Testament into English, despite the fact that such an effort was illegal in England at the time.

Tyndale faced intense opposition from both the Church and the state. His translation of the New Testament was banned, and copies were ordered to be burned. In 1536, Tyndale was arrested and executed for his work. Yet, his translation survived and would go on to form the basis of many subsequent English translations of the Bible. Tyndale’s courage and dedication to the Word of God ensured that the Bible would be available in the English language, despite the efforts of those who sought to suppress it.

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 transformed the dissemination of the Bible. No longer did the Bible have to be painstakingly copied by hand; it could now be mass-produced and distributed more widely than ever before. The first major book printed using movable type was the Gutenberg Bible, a Latin Vulgate edition of the Scriptures. This breakthrough technology revolutionized the accessibility of the Bible, making it possible for more people to own and read the Scriptures for themselves.

The Result: The Most Widely Distributed and Translated Book

Despite the efforts of powerful rulers and religious authorities to destroy or suppress the Bible, it has survived and thrived. Today, the Bible holds the distinction of being the most widely distributed and translated book in history. According to the Bible Society, the full Bible has been translated into over 700 languages, with portions of the Bible available in over 3,000 languages. The Bible’s message has reached people in nearly every corner of the globe, and its influence on culture, law, and language is profound.

The survival and widespread distribution of the Bible is a testimony to the enduring power of God’s Word. Isaiah 55:11 promises, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” This verse captures the essence of the Bible’s story: no matter how many times people have tried to destroy or suppress it, the Word of God continues to fulfill its purpose, transforming lives and bringing people to the knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Bible has shaped the moral and legal foundations of many nations, including those in the Western world. Laws rooted in biblical principles, such as the sanctity of life, the dignity of individuals, and the importance of justice, have had a profound influence on societies throughout history. Even those who may not profess faith in Christ have been shaped by the moral framework established by the Bible.

Conclusion on the Historical Resilience of the Bible

The Bible’s survival throughout history is a powerful testimony to its divine origin and the unwavering faith of those who have worked to preserve and share its message. Despite numerous attempts by political authorities and religious leaders to suppress, destroy, or control access to the Scriptures, the Bible has continued to flourish. Today, it remains the most widely distributed and translated book in the world, its message continuing to impact the lives of millions.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).