The First Bible to Colombia
The Colombia Para Cristo Society reported that Protestant reformers translated the Bible into Spanish that later on entered Colombia during a time when it was common practice to burn Bibles and those that possessed them by the inquisition of the Catholic Church. One such translation was done by the Protestant Casiodoro de Reina which was published in 1569.
Casiodoro de Reina spoke Hebrew as a “living” language. He began a translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew to Spanish and was forced to flee from Spain in 1551. Several Jewish translations of the Old Testament were published in Spanish about this time to which Casiodoro had access.
The Queen of England (Elizabeth I) allowed Casiodoro to preach to Spanish speakers in the Church of St. Mary Axe and gave him a monthly income. Casiodoro continued his Bible translation until the Inquisition found out about it and sent agents from Spain, who brought false accusations against him and cut his support from the Queen.
After more than twenty years of working on his translation while fleeing with his wife and children from the Inquisition which was always sending agents to attempt to kill or hinder him, his Bible was finally printed.
The Inquisition set up checkpoints all along the borders. And for many years, it searched all people and their possessions and entered Spain in an effort to forbid bringing Bibles into the country.
Casiodoro de Reina was contemporary with William Tyndale who translated the Bible into English. Unfortunately, William Tyndale was burned at the stake. The translations of William Tyndale and Casiodoro de Reina of the Received Text (Textus Receptus) spread the light of the truth into the spiritual darkness of the world freeing all believers from human traditions and doctrines.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
