Truth or Consequences...

Some years ago I went through a period of reading everything I could get my hands on in the field of contemporary Jesus scholarship. I learned a good deal but was left feeling vaguely unsatisfied...

Observe these interesting signs that contemporary Jesus Movement scholars are backing away from a strict emphasis on a truth/lies distinction in their analysis of the Gospels.

From The First Christmas by Borg and Crossan: "For a moment, we return to the truth of parable and the question of historical factuality. (...) In our judgment, there was no special star, no wise men, and no plot by Herod to kill Jesus. So is the story factually true? No. But as parable, is it true? For us as Christians, the answer is a robust affirmative. Is Jesus light shining in the darkness? Yes. Do the Herods of the world seek to extinguish the light? Yes. Does Jesus still shine in the darkness? Yes."

From The First Christmas, p. 184 (softcover): Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan (pubs. HarperCollins, 2009).

Neil L. Inglis, Editor, TSJ

Ringing the Changes - Call for Carols

Music fans are invited to send in suggestions for carols old and new to be included in this year's Christmas service.

As usual The English Chamber Choir, under Director Guy Protheroe, will sing for us at our service at St. Mary Abchurch - a hidden gem in the very heart of the City of London.

This lovely Wren Church - which Betjeman described as 'a complete surprise' and 'one of the most beautiful in the City' originally dates back to 1198 and was restored in 1681 for the princely sum of £4922 after destruction in the Great Fire of London.

The English Chamber Choir are regular performers at all of the major music venues and festivals around the UK as well as on TV and radio. Internationally they are more widely known for their soundrack to the Spielberg blockbuster - Band of Brothers.

To hear a sample of the Choir in action, click on the image below (opens in new window).

The service will begin at 12:30 pm on Thursday 16th December at St. Mary Abchurch, Abchurch Lane, City of London, with mince pies in the Parish Room to follow.

To let us know your musical suggestions please email us!

Tyndale Rocks...

I'm heading off to Denver Colorado for the annual conference of the American Translators Association (October 27-30).

The world of translation is far removed from Tyndale's time of course, but Tyndale always has interesting things to teach modern translators.

Will keep you posted... Neil L. Inglis, Editor, TSJ

Stacks to Browse at our Virtual Bookshelf...

After the great success of our online 'taster' edition of TSJ No.39 (1172 views and counting)...

We're pleased to let you know that Members and friends of The Tyndale Society can now access online abstracts of the past six issues of The Tyndale Society Journal at the click of a mouse...

This new feature will be a boon for existing members who might want to check which issue a particular article appeared in, or for potential new members who would like to get a flavour of The Society's publications and activities.

Visit our 'Virtual Bookshelf' for more...

'Pilgrim Country' Tour - UK - 1st November

Join members of the Tyndale Society USA for a guided tour of English sites of 'The Separatists' - known today as 'The Pilgrim Fathers'...

Tyndale Society members Tom & Bonnie Martin from Pennsylvania, USA, invite local members to join them on a day's study tour with local guide - historian and author Sue Allan.

The day will begin in Babworth, Nottinghamshire at 9:15am and end in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire at approximately 4pm.

"Allan leads me upstairs to the tower roof, where the entire town lay spread at our feet. "Everyone had to go to the Church of England," she said. "It was noted if you didn't. So what they were doing here was completely illegal. They were holding their own services. They were discussing the Bible, a big no-no. But they had the courage to stand up and be counted."
Simon Worrall - Smithsonian Magazine

Price: £10 (own transport required)

Read more...

'Boleyn' Brenton to lecture at Lambeth

Celebrated English Playwright Howard Brenton is to give this year's Lambeth Tyndale Lecture on December 16th.

Prize-winning author of The Globe Theatre's much-praised summer premiere 'Anne Boleyn' - Brenton will be discussing the inspirations and background to his new production, and how he came to write a major character - William Tyndale.

The historic setting of this lecture in the 14th Century Guard Room at Lambeth Palace - London residence of Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, is sure to make this a truly memorable event.

Daily Telegraph Review: 'Takes the tame conventions of historical drama and hurls them in the privy... Argues for Anne’s story to be read not as textbook tragedy but as something far more uplifting...

Note: As is usual for our Lambeth Lectures, for security purposes all lecture attendees must pre-register by name prior to the event.

Entry is by production of ticket only.

To register - Download our Booking Form or email us by latest 5pm Tuesday 14th December.

A Monastic Universe

Dear Tyndalians:

My wife and I are visiting the Holy Cross Monastery in West Park NY, one of the homes of the Anglican Benedectine Order in the United States.

The atmosphere of peace and quiet dedication, the timelessness of the Hudson River as it passes by, all foster an atmosphere of spiritual contemplation.

I feel very much at home here, and am planning the next issue of the Tyndale Society Journal (TSJ No.40).

Copy deadline for the this forthcoming issue will be 15th December 2010, so do email us prior to that date if you have article ideas or material such as letters, book reviews or event announcements which you would like to propose for inclusion.

It is our intention to bring William Tyndale into the digital age, so that new generations accustomed to the Internet as their primary information source will come across WT in the electronic universe--and will feel that same instinctive and overwhelming need (the need we have all experienced) to learn more about that great man's story.

This approach will complement traditional hard-copy publication and other communications media which we at the Society have always used to tell WT's story. Come and join us in this grand adventure.

Warmest wishes to you all,

Neil L. Inglis
Editor, TSJ

Call for Papers - 2011 Nottingham Conference

Call For Papers - The English Reformation up to Henry VIII's Break with Rome...

Reformation scholars interested in this period are invited to submit papers for a major conference to be held next August.

Click on the poster image on the left to view, download or print a PDF giving full details.

For any questions regarding this conference - email Ralph Werrell, conference organiser.