Lefevre d" Etaples - He Wanted the Common People to Know God's Word

 SEEKING THE TRUE MEANING OF THE SCRIPTURES

Before becoming a Bible translator, Lefevre had dedicated himself to restoring the original meaning of classical works of philosophy and theology.  He noted that ancient texts had often been corrupted by centuries of misleading renderings and errors. In his search for the true meanings of the ancient writings, he started studying closely the Standard Bible of the Catholic Church, the Latin Vulgate.

His earnest study of Scriptures led him to the conclusion that  "study of divine truth alone promises . . . the highest happiness."  Therefore, Lefevre turned away from studying philosophy and devoted all his energy to translating the Bible.  

In 1509, Lefevre published a comparative study of the Latin versions of the Psalm, including his own correction of the Vulgate.  Unlike theologians of his time, he endeavored to find the  "natural sense" of Bible passages.  His method of interpreting the Scriptures had a strong influence on other Bible scholars and reformers. 

Born a Catholic, Lefevre was convinced that a renewal could be possible only if the Scriptures were properly taught to ordinary people.  But ho would the common people benefit from the Scriptures at a time when those sacred writing  were mostly in Latin?

Next time: Lefevre d' Etaples -He Wanted the Common People to Know God's Word - A BIBLE TRANSLATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

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