WILLIAM TYNDALE

CONTRIBUTION

At SDS the Change Leader, we recognize the dedicated study, original work, and significant contributions William Tyndale made to the English translation of the Bible. William Tyndale is widely regarded as the founding father of the English Bible, and we are proud to offer SDS studies that extensively explore Tyndale's pioneering approach to translation and his contribution to this rich, historical text. We believe that Tyndale's unique approach to translating from the original Hebrew and Greek Text makes his work an essential primary source for interpretation of the Bible. SDS's programs offer scholars the chance to explore Tyndale's teachings and appreciate the role that he played in the development of modern English literature.

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LIFE STORY

I found myself intrigued by Tyndale's life story. He was a man of significant importance, change, and destiny. To understand the role his life played we must consider the time and conditions of his story. For approximately 1,000 years the Latin Vulgate was the only translated Bible supported by the Catholic Church under the Pope and King of England.  William Tyndale was a master of the arts, having received a formal education in theology. However, he soon realized that his education did not include systematic scripture, which frustrated him greatly. He voiced his concerns to religious authorities, "They have ordained that no man shall look on the scripture until he is modeled in heathen learning eight or nine years and armed with false principles, with which he is clean shut out of the understanding of the scripture." but they dismissed his complaints. This motivated Tyndale to take matters into his own hands and translate the Bible into English, despite the risks involved. He faced fierce opposition from the Catholic Church, the Pope, and the King of England, who all saw the idea of an English Bible as a threat to their power. Nevertheless, Tyndale was determined to bring the Word of God to the masses, and his unyielding spirit set in motion a series of events that would change Christianity forever.

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