The Influence of the Septungint Version of the Old Testament Upon the Progress of Christianity

Septungint (The Greek Old Testament) – is a collection of translations of the Old Testament into Ancient Greek, made in the 3rd - 1st centuries BC in Alexandria. The Providence of God assigned to the Alexandrian Version of the Old Testament a most important part among the instruments by which the Christian Faith was propagated in the world. It was the written document of revealed truth which the earliest missionaries carried with them into every country where they preached the Gospel; from which they produced arguments to convince Jews and pagans alike; and drew much of the language by which they made known the truths of the Christian religion, and set them in opposition to the philosophy and polytheism of the pagans. As Churches were founded, the version was received and universally respected in them. It was read in Divine service, and many forms of prayer were derived from it. The name of Christ seems itself to have its origin in this version, and so the very terms Christian and Christianity arose out of the language employed by the Alexandrian interpreters. It was quoted in controversies with heretics, both with those who accepted the Old Testament, and those who denied the divine character and origin of the Jewish Scriptures: and thus its influence was extended to all periods of the Church, and grew in importance as the Church was enlarged.