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Why was the Bible translated into English?

The Bible (or the Christian Scriptures) was translated into English to make it available to all Christians. This translation, however, was considered highly controversial during the Middle Ages (A.D. c. 450–c. 1500) because only church officials and scholars were allowed to read and interpret the Bible. Leading the effort were English reformers John Wycliffe (c. 1330–1384) and William Tyndale (c. 1494–1536). Wycliffe was a theologian (religious scholar) and professor at Oxford University who actively pressed for changes in the Roman Catholic Church. He was especially critical of the worldliness of church officials, and he argued that the Scriptures are the supreme authority in spiritual matters. In 1378, Wycliffe began the first translation of the Bible from Latin into English, but did not live to see its completion. Wycliffe's translation of the Bible was...

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