A Divine Calling
Thus, Tyndale had a new focus for life – getting • this message into the hands of the common people through an English translation of the Bible directly from the original Hebrew and Greek. Tyndale recognised his important calling: he perceived that it was not possible to establish the lay people in any truth, unless the Scriptures were so plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue, that they might see the meaning of the text.
The Rejection in London
“We Would Be Better Without God’s Laws” In 1523, Tyndale traveled to London, naively believing that the Bishop of London, Cuthbert Tunstall, would give his blessing for an English Bible translation. As early as 1297, a French translation of the Bible was written, followed by a Czech Bible in 1360, and a German Bible in 1466. At that moment in Wittenberg, Germany, Martin Luther was working on his new German translation called The Luther Bible. The Luther New Testament had already been printed by Gutenberg’s press and widely distributed just a year earlier. ‘Surely,’ thought Tyndale, ‘England’s leaders with their strong support of academics and the church would want a Bible in the English language’; but he was greatly mistaken – Tunstall soundly rejected the idea.
A Defiant Promise
Shortly after, Tyndale was talking to a priest who gruffly scolded Tyndale for his pursuit of the Bible. “We would be better without God’s laws than the Pope’s!” Tyndale responded defiantly: “I defy the Pope and all his laws; and, if God spares my life, before many years, I will cause the boy that drives the plow to know more of the scriptures than thou dost!” Tyndale had no choice after this outspoken remark but to flee England for Germany for his personal safety and to fulfill God’s call. Just like Abraham left his homeland thousands of years ago, Christians are often called by the Lord to leave familiar places and people, and to embark on a new journey for Christ. God plants His plans and purposes in our hearts and then works out the details so that we can fulfill them.
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). This was God’s plan for Wycliffe and his Bible translation.
To be continued…
Date: 28th September 2024
Martyr: William Tyndale
Location: Pakistan
Source: God’s General-The Martyrs
Author: Robert Liardon
Suffering Saturday 110
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