How is the modern department of defense different from the old department of war?
it is a cabinet department and not an independent executive agency.
it was not created by any act of congress, unlike the department of war.
it contains sub-departments for the air force, army, and navy.
it is no longer concerned with defending the nation through military force.

the catholic church withhold people's access to the bible during the middle ages.

people could go to church and listen to the teachings, but it was absolutely forbidden to own and/or read the books of both the old and new testaments. it was also prohibited to translate the books (which where originally in biblical hebrew) to any other language.

this was done so the church could remain in control of what their teachings were and to enhance their importance and power, while also being able to judge people's actions through information that was unavailable for the general public.