Martin Luther and the Translation of the Bible

The Protestant Reformation led to significant religious, cultural, and societal changes, one of which was the translation of the Bible from its original languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) into the vernacular (everyday language). Martin Luther, a former Catholic priest, played a pivotal role in this process.

Luther emphasized the authority of Scripture, a stance he famously articulated at the Diet of Worms, a council that charged him with heresy where he declared,

Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason— I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.

Luther’s translation of the Bible into German had profound impacts:

• The translation challenged the Roman Catholic Church’s exclusive right to interpret Scripture.
• It allowed ordinary people to interpret the Bible without relying solely on church doctrine or tradition. This democratization of biblical understanding posed a challenge to the Roman Catholic Church, as it opened up debates and questioned long-held interpretations.
• The common people were now able to engage in interpreting the Scriptures through Bible study. Which became problematic for the Roman Catholic church because all the ‘subjective’ interpretations that the church taught were put into question.

One might expect that such a noble initiative as translating the Bible would be commended. However, this was not the case. Instead, the Roman Church went on a rampage persecuting those who supported the cause.

Take, for example, the event of “Bloody Mary” that occurred in England from 1553 to 1558 (seven years after Luther’s death). Where the queen of England, Mary Tudor (seeking to reverse the English reformation), ordered the execution of around 300 protestants who were burned on a stake. She further restored the authority of the Pope in England. Consequently, all English bibles were removed from churches, bible printing had ceased and it became a capital crime to translate one.

Sadly, all of this took place under the Pope’s leadership in efforts to maintain the sanctity of the Roman Catholic system.