Venerable Bede – died

ON THIS DATE

Bede (also “Baeda” & “Beda”) died 5/25/735 at Jarrow, Northumbria.  He was born (near there) at Tyne, County Durham, (“Kingdom of Northumbria”) England in the year 672 or 673.  As were many sons of the weathy (or at least “comfortable”) families of his day, he was sent to a monastery to be educated. His age at the time is given as 3 or 7.  His education included Latin, Greek & Hebrew. He was ordained deacon (19), priest (30) & he is thought to have spent his life in a monastery.

He was a writer leaving behind some Biblical translation, exposition, & commentary (allegorical type) of the Scriptures. His earliest Biblical commentary was probably on the Book of the Revelation.  His interests included grammar & science (he saw the earth as a sphere & questioned the 365 ¼ day year). His works related to the Bible were apprecaited in his day.  Recent decades (centuries?) have acclaimed him “Father of English History” for his 5 vol. Ecclesiastical History of the English People -from approx. 55-729(?).

His pen & the knowledge it gleaned & recorded earned him the title “The Venerable Bede.” His writings have been called “the best summary of this period of history ever prepared.” Modernity has Bede to thank for the use &/or popularization of “Anno Domini” (year of our Lord).

Bede Quotes:   “…if history records good things of good men, the thoughtful hearer is encouraged to imitate what is good; or if it records evil of wicked men, the good, religious reader or listener is encouraged to avoid all that is sinful & perverse, & to follow what he knows to be good & pleasing to God.” 

“They alone know how to believe in God who love God, who are Christians not only in name but also in action and life, because without love faith is empty. With love, it is the faith of a Christian —without love, the faith of a demon.” (Commentary, James 2:19)

“We abide in God insofar as we do not sin.”  (Commentary, I John 3:6)

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