William Tyndale

William Tyndale was a pioneer of the English Reformation who translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English. He was influenced by the works of Martin Luther and other reformers, and sought to make the Scriptures accessible to the common people. He also wrote several theological treatises and polemics against the Roman Catholic Church and the papacy. Tyndale was born around 1494 near Gloucestershire, England. He studied at Oxford and Cambridge, where he became proficient in several languages. He was ordained as a priest in 1521, but soon became dissatisfied with the corruption and ignorance of the clergy. He was convinced that the Bible alone should determine the doctrines and practices of the church, and that every Christian should be able to read it in their own language. Tyndale began his translation work in London, but faced opposition from the church authorities who considered it illegal and heretical. He fled to Germany in 1524, where he met Luther and other reformers. He published his translation of the New Testament in 1526, which was smuggled into England and widely circulated. He also translated parts of the Old Testament and revised his New Testament several times. Tyndale’s translation was based on the original languages of the Bible, rather than the Latin Vulgate used by the Catholic Church. He also introduced many new words and phrases into the English language, such as “atonement”, “scapegoat”, “passover”, “mercy seat”, and “Jehovah”. His translation influenced later English versions, especially the King James Version of 1611. Tyndale also wrote several books defending his translation and exposing the errors and abuses of the Catholic Church. Some of his most famous works are The Obedience of a Christian Man (1528), The Practice of Prelates (1530), and The Answer to Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue (1531). He also engaged in controversies with Thomas More, Henry VIII, and other opponents of the Reformation. Tyndale’s life was in constant danger from his enemies who sought to arrest him and burn his books. He moved from place to place in Europe, under various aliases and disguises. He was finally betrayed by a friend in Antwerp in 1535, and imprisoned in Vilvoorde Castle near Brussels for over a year. He was tried for heresy and condemned to death. He was strangled and burned at the stake on October 6, 1536. His last words were “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes”. Tyndale is regarded as one of the greatest Englishmen of all time, and a hero of religious freedom. He is commemorated by several monuments, statues, churches, schools, and colleges around the world. He is also honored by Protestants as one of the martyrs of the Reformation.