Bible Editions and their Use in the Churches of the Reformation Heritage (1990–2020)

Abstract

This article analyses the Croatian-language Bible editions that were actively used in the churches of the Reformation Heritage in Croatia between 1990 and 2020. It aims to identify those translations that exerted genuine influence on liturgical, pastoral, and personal practices within these communities, while also exploring the criteria by which they were selected and applied. Rather than offering a general survey of all Croatian Bible translations, the study focuses on editions with documented use in church life, including complete translations of the Bible and the New Testament, while excluding occasional and sporadic publications. The article begins with a brief overview of the Reformation foundations of Bible translation, with particular emphasis on the principle of sola scriptura and the importance of making the Holy Scriptures accessible to believers in their own language. The central section explores the selected editions from the 1990–2020 period, evaluating their linguistic characteristics, translation strategies, and reception in church practice. Special attention is given to contemporary trends, such as the plurality of translations, the rise of digital and audio formats, and the specialized editions tailored to different age groups and social contexts. The results reveal that, despite the increasing diversity of available editions, a stable and recognizable core of biblical texts has continued to shape church practice in these communities. The study also underscores the Bible’s ongoing role in forming the religious and cultural identity of believers and affirms that modern publishing and digital developments are advancing the accessibility of Scripture in continuity with the Reformation tradition.