William Tyndale was an English Priest and early admirer of Martin Luther’s teaching. Tyndale had a deep desire to see every man, woman, and child in England have the ability to read Scripture in their native language. Tyndale translated the New Testament and much of the Old Testament, in opposition to the restrictions of the Roman Catholic Church and the restrictions of King Henry VIII’s newly-independent Church of England. Tyndale further solidified Henry VIII’s wrath when he openly criticized the King’s desire to annul his marriage to Catherine. Tyndale argued that Henry VIII’s annulment and remarriage were in rebellion to God’s Word. Tyndale fled to Europe, Henry VIII ordered Tyndale’s arrest, and agents of the King betrayed Tyndale into the hands of rulers in the Holy Roman Empire. Tyndale was tried and condemned for heresy. Before being burned at the stake, Tyndale’s last words were, “Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes!” Within four years, multiple English language Bibles were officially approved for distribution by Henry VIII, all based on Tyndale’s work. Tyndale’s translation was heavily influential in nearly all subsequent English Bible translations. The Geneva Bible, the Douay-Rheims Bible, the King James Version, English Standard Version, and many others all demonstrate Tyndale’s monumental influence.

O God, our heavenly Father, you raised up your faithful servant William Tyndale to be a pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Art & bio by Ben Lansing

PREORDER the book and get the 2025 WALL CALENDAR and prints at www.ourchurchspeaks.com

#ourchurchspeaks #churchhistory #williamtyndale #reformation #bible #bibletranslator #kingjamesversion #douayrheims #esv #genevabible #saint