Invitation - Tyndale in Blackheath - 3rd April

This Sunday, 3rd April, Tyndale Society Members David and Sue Smith are to present a special evening of Words and Music in honour of William Tyndale.

The evening - which will begin at 6:30pm at The Church of the Ascension, Blackheath - will include a reading from Howard Brenton's acclaimed play, Anne Boleyn - winner of 'Best New Play' for Shakespeare's Globe Theatre at the 2011 Whatsonstage.com awards.

All members and friends of the Society will be warmly welcomed.

Great & Manifold Blessings in Cambridge...

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, a special exhibition has opened at Cambridge University Library.

Currently on show are several rare Tyndale items including a little-known-about 1553 copy of Tyndale's New Testament.

The new exhibition 'Great and Manifold Blessings' tells the story of the genesis of the KJV, tracing back through the 'patchwork of the many versions produced, chiefly outside England, in the preceding century'.

The show will be open until 18th June (closed 22-25 April).

Opening hours: 9am-6pm Monday-Friday, 9am-4:30pm Saturday.
Admission: Free of charge
Location: See map here.

Brian Buxton

Tyndale on TV...

Thanks to BBC Religion & Ethics insider Al Rodgers, for his tip-off about a new 'Tyndale' TV programme to be broadcast this coming weekend.

The show - Melvyn Bragg's 'The King James Bible: the Book that Changed the World' will air on Saturday March 12th on BBC2 at 8pm.

"Von Bismark said the defining feature of modern history was that the Americans spoke English. It was an English which largely stemmed from the Bible. In both cases, British and American, the King James Bible version swept round the globe in school assemblies, far flung churches, remotely stationed battalions... it was the Book of the community of English speaking peoples.

New words - we use them still: "scapegoat", "let there be light", "the powers that be", "my brother's keeper", "filthy lucre", "fight the good fight", "sick unto death", "flowing with milk and honey", "the apple of his eye", "a man after his own heart", "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak", "signs of the times", "ye of little faith", "eat drink and be merry", "broken hearted", "clear eyed". And hundreds more: "fishermen", "landlady", "sea-shore", "stumbling block", "taskmaster", "two-edged", "viper", "zealous" and even "Jehovah" and "Passover" come into English through Tyndale. "Beautiful", a word which has meant only human beauty, was greatly widened by Tyndale, as were many others..."

BBC researchers originally contacted The Tyndale Society last autumn to investigate and verify details of Tyndale's dramatic part in the KJV's story.

Tyndale's Million Pound Bible...

Hear the inside story of the book the British Library calls "the most important printed book in the English language" - this rare surviving copy of Tyndale's 1526 New Testament...

The British Library's copy of this Bible - one of only two to survive intact from the original Worms print run of 3,000 - is thought to have belonged to a wealthy merchant - and is beautifully illuminated throughout.

The book was acquired in 1994 for a sum in excess of one million pounds, and since then has been a star attraction of the collection.

Click our podcast link below to follow the story of this powerful and beautiful work, as curator Moira Goff explores what was so different - and dangerous - about this ground-breaking - pocket-sized - translation.

You can zoom in for a closer look and also read more about this sacred text on the British Library's website - as well as access turn-the-pages online texts of other collection treasures such as the Lindisfare Gospels, the Luttrell Psalter and the Lisbon Bible.

Ramona Garcia

Tyndale on the Moon!

Tyndale's translations - as embodied in the form of the KJV - have carried the English Bible across the globe - but did you know his words had even made it into outer space?

Astronaut and author Jeff Williams - veteran of a combined 362 days in space after a trio of successful launches - will speak at Dunham Bible Museum in Houston, Texas on Wednesday 9th February about science, space, spirituality and the Book NASA took to the moon...

There is also a collection of rare 16th, 17th and 18th Century Bibles on show as part of a special exhibition to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the KJV.

For full details visit the Museum's website.

John Hellstern

Crystal Radio - on Tyndale, Idiom and the KJV

Today on New York's WNYC public radio 'Begat' author Dr David Crystal speaks to station host Brian Lehrer about the impact of Tyndale's idiom - 'as popularised in the King James Bible'.

For his latest research project, Crystal counted the number of current idioms which can be traced back to the King James Bible. Answer: 257 - as compared with only 100 in the whole of Shakespeare...

But few of the 257 originated 'by committee'...

To find out more, listen to the broadcast by clicking on the podcast icon below.

Word on the Street - NY Times Talks Tyndale...

Thanks to US-based TSJ author Ramona Garcia, who spotted this gem in this week's New York Times...

"To modern readers, the English of the King James Version sounds archaic, much as Shakespeare does. But there would have been an archaism for readers even in 1611 because the King James Bible draws heavily from a version of William Tyndale’s New Testament published in 1534 and from translations by Miles Coverdale also published in the 1530s.

Tyndale’s aspiration was to make his New Testament accessible to “the boy that driveth the plough.” Though readers often talk about the majesty of the King James Bible, what has made it live is in fact the simplicity of its language.

Scholars have often debated just how much the King James Bible has influenced the English language. They count the number of idioms — “the powers that be,” for instance — that entered the language from the Bible. They look at how often it’s cited in the Oxford English Dictionary.

T. S. Eliot and C. S. Lewis deplored the idea of considering the secular literary or linguistic influence of the King James Bible. Eliot said it had such a profound effect because it was “the Word of God.” Lewis went further. He argued that the King James Bible had little influence on the rhythms of English and that many of the Bible’s characteristic rhythms were simply “unavoidable in the English language.”

But Lewis missed the point. The King James Bible has had an enormous impact on English for the very reason that it captures and preserves — and communicates down through the centuries — the unavoidable rhythms of good English. Its words are almost never Latinate, and its rhythms are never hampered by the literalism that afflicts other translations.

It would have been so easy to get that wrong, to let scholarship overwhelm common sense, to let theology engulf plainness. We owe an enormous debt to William Tyndale’s imaginary plowboy."

To read the full piece online click here.

Tyndale set to save Anne Boleyn

The nation's much-loved portrait of Anne Boleyn is in dire need of a medieval makeover...

Custodians The National Portrait Gallery have raised the alarm after discovering the dire straits of this picture - with vertical cracking across the panel causing paint-loss.

The painting has had to be removed from public view until £4000 can be raised to pay for vital conservation work.

The Gallery has already raised £1096 during the first three weeks of the appeal.

To help them achieve their target The Tyndale Society will make a contribution for every copy of Howard Brenton's 'Anne Boleyn' which we sell to our Members and Friends in our New Year Special Offer.

A Tyndale Christmas

Thank you to the many members who braved the cold to join us this year - some from as far afield as Switzerland - at St. Mary Abchurch in the City of London.

Thank you also to David Ireson for conducting the service, to our excellent readers - who brought Tyndale's words so brilliantly to life - and to The English Chamber Choir who all made this year's service of lessons and carols such a wonderful occasion.

For anyone who was not able to get to this year's service in person, we recorded a short taster so you can enjoy hearing the Choir in festive action (cue the mince pies)...

Ohio KJV Conference Opens for Bookings...

Booking has now opened for 'The King James Bible - and its Cultural Afterlife' - a major international conference, co-sponsored by The Tyndale Society, to be held at Ohio State University, Columbus, USA between 5-7th May 2011.

The conference will focus on the making of the KJV in the context of Reformation Bible translation and printing as well as on the KJV’s long literary and cultural influence from Milton and Bunyan to Faulkner, Woolf, and Toni Morrison.

Speakers are to include: David Norton (Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand), author of 'A History of the Bible as Literature' and long-time contributor to Tyndale Society conferences; J. Philip Arthur (Independent Scholar, UK) outstanding speaker on Tyndale's work, especially remembered for our Worcester conference; Dr Gergely Juhász (K.U. Leuven, Belgium) Antwerp collaborator of Dr Guido Latré in his presentation 'Tyndale's Testament' and Dr Leland Ryken (Wheaton College, USA) distinguished writer and teacher.

Our special guest speaker will be Edward P. Jones, 2004 Pulitzer Prize winning author of the novel 'The Known World'.

Events will include plenary lectures and discussions, scholarly panels, roundtable seminars, and readings by contemporary writers.

An accompanying exhibit will be mounted by the Rare Books and Manuscripts Library.

As co-sponsor of the event, The Tyndale Society has obtained a special 50% registration discount for all Members. To obtain your discounted registration DOWNLOAD OUR SPECIAL BOOKING FORM HERE.

PS - If you are not yet a member of the Tyndale Society, it is worth noting that the $45 subscription fee will save you $50 on the price of conference registration...

Email us for more details...

Letter from Lindos...

"Every autumn I spend some weeks in Lindos, on the Greek island of Rhodes.

It is believed locally that the Apostle Paul landed here in 43AD to preach Christianity. The almost landlocked cove below the village is named St Paul's Bay in his honour, and on his Saint's Day the villagers dance in his honour.

Concerning St Paul's final missionary journey Tyndale translates:
'And it chanced that as soon as we had launched forth, and were departed from them, we came with a straight course unto Coos (Cos), and the day following unto the Rhodes...'
( Acts 21, 1534 translation )

Paul was never shy of preaching in a pagan holy place, as shown by the riot he caused at Ephesus, and his great sermon in Athens on 'Mars street' (Tyndale's phrase). Lindos then was as old as London is today, and surely would have had a Jewish community, probably Paul came with introductions from friends.

Today Rhodes is both the name of the capital and of the island, but in ancient times the older city of Lindos was the artistic, religious and intellectual centre. The Horses at St Mark's in Venice were fashioned in the School of Sculpture. The Temple on the Lindos Acropolis was second only to the Parthenon in its dedication to Athena. The School of Oratory educated young men from all over the Roman world - Mark Anthony improved his Greek here, later to woo Cleopatra.

Romance is an enduring theme here in Lindos: during WWII a pious mother vowed that if her sons survived she would restore the old church above the beach. They all lived and she fulfilled her vow, rebuilding the tiny 'St. Paul's chapel' - now a mecca for British couples who meet here on holiday and return to marry in this beautiful spot.

Brides in billowing dresses traverse the steep path down the cliff, watched by amused swimmers and sunbathers.

I wonder - what does St. Paul make of it?"

May Clow, Chairman of The Tyndale Society

Cuisine for Conservation at Merton...

British Heritage site Merton Priory is calling all cooks in the cause of conservation...

Tyndale Society Members and friends are asked for their recipe contributions for a new charity cookbook to be produced by the Friends of Merton.

The new book - featuring the favourite feasts of Merton's many celebrity supporters - will focus on healthy, cheap eats which are simple to make.

Sheila Fairbank of supporters' group The Friends of Merton says 'The project is hoped to raise awareness of the charity as well as provide inspiration to budding cooks.'

To submit a contribution, email Sheila here.

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.

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.

Greetings from TSJ Editor

Dear readers, fellow-Tyndalians, and friends:

A very warm welcome to The Tyndale Society Blog.

We Tyndalians are very excited about the latest developments in the Tyndale world, and we look forward to posting breaking news stories, announcements, and other important listings regarding WT and Tyndale enthusiasts worldwide--and in real time!

Above all, we want to engage in dialogue with you!

A big thank-you to Karen Wortley who has made this possible. Welcome aboard, and stay tuned!

Neil L. Inglis
TSJ Editor