Fr. Simon explores one of his favorite topics: the authenticity of the Bible and its mind-blowing historical context. Ever wonder how the early Church handled Scripture when sheep were dying to make parchment (literally)? Here’s the gist from Father:

🐑📜 Ancient Texts Were a Big Deal

The early Christians were obsessed with preserving the Gospel. We’ve got 11 fragments of scripture from the first century, which might sound small, but it’s huge compared to ancient authors like Julius Caesar, whose works come from way later copies.

Writing materials were rare and pricey. Papyrus? Imported reeds from the Nile. Parchment? That’s processed sheepskin. You’d need a whole flock to make a book! 📖💸

📚 Christians Revolutionized Books

Before the Bible became what we know today, texts were scrolls. Imagine unrolling one of those during Mass. 😅 Early Christians popularized the codex (think: early books), which was way more portable and practical.

🏛️ Sacred Texts = Priceless Treasure

By 200 AD, Christians were using standardized texts. Handing over these sacred books during Roman persecution was like denying Christ. People died rather than give them up. Talk about dedication. 🙏

📖 Did Every Church Have the Bible?

Not quite. While some congregations might have had Gospel fragments or Pauline letters, oral tradition and the Old Testament carried much of the teaching. Fun fact: Christians only started calling the collection of sacred texts “the Bible” around 350 AD.

💡 Takeaway

The Bible is a miracle of preservation, innovation, and faith. From sheep to scrolls to codices, Christians protected the Word with everything they had. So next time you open your Bible, give a little nod to those who literally laid down their lives to make it possible. 🕊️❤️

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