The history of the English Bible is rich and complex, reflecting the religious and political tensions of the times. Among the significant versions that have shaped English-speaking Christianity are the Bishop’s Bible and the Rheims/Douai Bible. Each of these translations represents distinct theological perspectives and was produced under very different circumstances, yet both played pivotal roles in the religious life of England and beyond.
The Bishop’s Bible
The Bishop’s Bible was first published in 1568 as an official revision of the earlier Great Bible. It was commissioned by the Church of England and had the full backing of Archbishop Matthew Parker, the church’s highest-ranking prelate, as well as Queen Elizabeth I. The motivation behind the Bishop’s Bible was primarily to replace the popular Geneva Bible, which was widely used but had annotations that were seen as too radical by the Anglican authorities.
Despite its official status as the second authorized Bible in English, the Bishop’s Bible never achieved the widespread popularity of the Geneva Bible. The Geneva Bible was favored by Puritans and other Protestant groups for its accessibility and detailed notes, which were often critical of established church practices. In contrast, the Bishop’s Bible, though authorized, was viewed as a top-down initiative that did not resonate as strongly with the broader populace.
The Rheims/Douai Bible
In contrast to the Bishop’s Bible, the Rheims/Douai Bible was a Roman Catholic translation of the Bible into English. Its origins lie with the English Catholics in exile, who sought to provide a version of the Bible that would counter the Protestant translations then in circulation. The New Testament of the Rheims/Douai Bible was published in 1582 at the English College in Rheims, and the Old Testament followed in 1609 after the college had relocated back to Douai.
The Rheims/Douai Bible was translated from the Latin Vulgate, which was the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church. This translation is known for its distinctive Catholic perspective, as reflected in several controversial notes and specific word choices that align with Catholic doctrine. For example, the word “repentance” is translated as “penance,” and “elder” is rendered as “priest.” These choices were significant because they underscored key differences between Catholic and Protestant theology, especially in matters of sacraments and church hierarchy.
An illustrative example can be found in Matthew 3:1-6, 13-17 of the Douai Version:
“1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. 2 And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. 4 And the same John had his garment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan: 6 And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.”
This translation choice was consistent with Catholic teaching, emphasizing acts of penance as necessary for spiritual preparation and forgiveness, a doctrine at odds with Protestant teachings on faith and repentance.
Evolution of the Texts
It is essential to recognize that neither the King James Version (KJV) nor the Douai-Rheims Bible available today are the original versions from the 1600s. Over the centuries, both texts have undergone numerous revisions.
The KJV, for instance, has seen many minor changes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. These changes have accumulated to such an extent that most modern versions of the KJV differ significantly from the original 1611 edition. To address this, some publishers have reissued the original 1611 version for those seeking the text in its initial form.
Similarly, the Douai-Rheims Bible that is commonly available today is not the exact text from the early 17th century. What is now known as the Douai-Challoner Bible is a mid-18th century revision carried out by Bishop Richard Challoner. Challoner sought to update the language and make the text more accessible, while still preserving the doctrinal integrity of the Catholic Church. Notably, he also consulted early Greek and Hebrew manuscripts, meaning the Douai Bible as it stands today is not merely a translation of the Vulgate but a more comprehensive text reflecting a broader range of sources.
Impact and Legacy
The Bishop’s Bible and the Rheims/Douai Bible each had a lasting impact on their respective religious communities. The Bishop’s Bible, while never as popular as its Geneva counterpart, contributed to the eventual creation of the King James Bible, which would go on to become the most widely read English Bible for centuries.
The Douai-Rheims Bible served as the standard English Bible for Roman Catholics in English-speaking countries well into the 20th century. It was a cornerstone of Catholic religious life, particularly before the Second Vatican Council, which led to more modern translations of the Bible.
In conclusion, both the Bishop’s Bible and the Rheims/Douai Bible are integral to the history of the English Bible. They represent the divergent paths of Anglican and Catholic Christianity during the Reformation and beyond, each contributing to the religious and cultural fabric of their time. Today, they stand as historical artifacts, reflecting the complex interplay of religion, politics, and language in early modern England.