Returning to the Use of Imagery - Part 2

You can read part 1 here.

In the middle ages, people lived with such a level of ignorance and illiteracy that the established church was forced to communicate the gospel with images. Stained glass windows, paintings, and murals were the only way people were able to grasp the truth of scripture since no one was able to read it for themselves. In cathedrals throughout Europe you will see such images still remain on the walls and in the windows. Some of these practices still remain with us today in modern churches as well for style purposes. These stained glass windows provide a religious atmosphere and bring artistic beauty to the buildings.

This practice of using images continued until the days of men like William Tyndale and others who fought to have the Bible translated and printed in the language of the common man. For centuries Bibles were written by hand, they were large and bulky, and they were very expensive. Only the rich could own one and only the rich were educated enough to be able to read it as well. Such men as Tyndale gave their lives to bring the word of God to the common man. When these printed Bibles from Gutenberg's press were completed, they were greatly treasured by all who were finally able to hold a Bible of their own that they were able to actually read.

Imagine the radical change that took place all over Europe from simply making the Bible available to everyone. Yes, it was a Reformation. While Martin Luther was battling the Roman church over doctrine, others were providing the masses with printed Bibles. It was not Luther alone that brought about a Reformation, the Bible in the hands of anyone can bring about personal reformation.

Through the ages, the Bible has been translated into literally hundreds of languages other than its original tongues of Hebrew and Greek. The same message reliably translated into words that men and women in all countries are able to understand and read for themselves. Today Wycliffe Bible translation teams are working all over the world to make the Bible available to tribal groups all over the world. Some of these tribes have never had a written language of their own. They are having to learn their own language for the first time, and they have Bibles to learn with. It is incredible what is taking place.

In our own century we live in, research shows that Americans are becoming more and more illiterate. The result is that reading skills have been reduced year after year to a radically lowered reading ability. Bible publishing companies have consistently lowered the reading requirements of their translations. With each passing year, it is not unheard of to find a new translation being published. Sadly these translations have been reduced to as low as third grade reading level. If this were simply making the Bible available to younger children, we would have something to rejoice over. But truthfully it is for adults who cannot read. Even more sad is that Americans read less and less each year due to apathy coupled with this lack of education. It is no longer uncommon to find church members who simply never read their Bibles even if they can read.

Where do we find ourselves three centuries after Tyndale gave his life to have the Bible translated into English? We have arrived back to an age of churches using imagery to communicate the gospel.

God help us to regain our understanding of His word. God help us to regain a passion for His word. Oh that apathy would fall off and hearts would be stirred to search the scriptures looking for the truth of God and the heart of God.