The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 dramatically transformed the dissemination of the Bible. Printed vernacular Bibles became more widely available, increasing demand for translations and provoking greater resistance from religious authorities.

Printed Bibles were often banned, and those involved in printing or distributing unauthorized translations faced imprisonment, torture, or execution. The spread of the printed Bible heightened fears among Catholic leaders, culminating in actions like the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (List of Prohibited Books), which banned vernacular Bibles and heretical texts.

Bible Translation and Colonialism: Another Dimension of Conflict

The history of Bible translation is not only a European phenomenon but also deeply intertwined with the global spread of Christianity, especially during the age of European colonialism.

Missionaries seeking to convert indigenous populations often translated the Bible into native languages. While this helped preserve and develop local languages and literacy, it also led to conflicts:

• Missionaries and translators were sometimes targeted by indigenous groups resisting colonial control.

• Political authorities in colonies sometimes suppressed Bible translation efforts to maintain social control.

• Some translators were caught between missionary zeal and colonial exploitation, making their work dangerous. shutdown123