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God's Outlaw: The Story of William Tyndale and the English Bible
When William Tyndale set out to provide the first printed New Testament in English he was forced to do so in defiance of the king, the pope and almost every person in authority. Compelled to flee from his homeland, he continued with his work of translating the Scriptures whilst slipping from city to city in Germany, Holland and Belgium in an attempt to avoid the agents which were sent from England to arrest him.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 17, 2016
I have tended to read biographies about people in the 19th-21st century. This biography of William Tyndale takes us back to the 16th century when things were somewhat different in England, to say the least. The land was openly ruled by the Roman Catholic Church that was awash with vice and corruption. The people were controlled through the state ordered religion and Bibles were not available in the English language for the common man.
Tyndale, at the very start of the Reformation, set about changing this virtually single handedly and spent his life translating, copying, editing and printing portions of Scripture and other Christian literature. He carried out this work from various locations but was many times forced into hiding abroad to complete the work. The authorities attempted to track him down and bring him to justice for his 'heretical' teaching but he remained on the run for many years. Many of those involved in the work with him were arrested, then they were forced to recant or tortured and burned alive. Some of his friends betrayed him and others lived lives that damaged his reputation or stirred up trouble by speaking out rashly against those that opposed them. Tyndale himself seems to have been a single-minded and devoted man of God who was determined to complete his mission regardless of events taking place around him.
All efforts to stop the advance of the Gospel seemed to fail causing the authorities much fury;
Even Tunstall had learnt no better when, two years later, he arranged through a merchant to buy up a large stock of Testaments. By this grand purchase everyone was well satisfied; the bishop had his Testaments to burn, the merchant had his thanks and a reasonable consideration and Tyndale received the money to finance his next edition.
Sadly, in the end Tyndale was captured and imprisoned, but he even used this time to continue writing and eventually influenced many in powerful positions through his witness from his jail cell. His legacy must not be forgotten. Where would we be without copies of the Scripture in our own language? How often do we take it for granted?
This book is rich in historical content and gives a lot of contextual background information. Whilst I found this interesting it wasn't the easiest read. I would still recommend it as a good overview of the life and work of William Tyndale, God's Outlaw.
Tyndale, at the very start of the Reformation, set about changing this virtually single handedly and spent his life translating, copying, editing and printing portions of Scripture and other Christian literature. He carried out this work from various locations but was many times forced into hiding abroad to complete the work. The authorities attempted to track him down and bring him to justice for his 'heretical' teaching but he remained on the run for many years. Many of those involved in the work with him were arrested, then they were forced to recant or tortured and burned alive. Some of his friends betrayed him and others lived lives that damaged his reputation or stirred up trouble by speaking out rashly against those that opposed them. Tyndale himself seems to have been a single-minded and devoted man of God who was determined to complete his mission regardless of events taking place around him.
All efforts to stop the advance of the Gospel seemed to fail causing the authorities much fury;
Even Tunstall had learnt no better when, two years later, he arranged through a merchant to buy up a large stock of Testaments. By this grand purchase everyone was well satisfied; the bishop had his Testaments to burn, the merchant had his thanks and a reasonable consideration and Tyndale received the money to finance his next edition.
Sadly, in the end Tyndale was captured and imprisoned, but he even used this time to continue writing and eventually influenced many in powerful positions through his witness from his jail cell. His legacy must not be forgotten. Where would we be without copies of the Scripture in our own language? How often do we take it for granted?
This book is rich in historical content and gives a lot of contextual background information. Whilst I found this interesting it wasn't the easiest read. I would still recommend it as a good overview of the life and work of William Tyndale, God's Outlaw.
November 3, 2016
“I defy the Pope and all his laws; if God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the scripture than thou dost.” – William Tyndale
Because of Tyndale’s desire to place the knowledge of God (John 5:39) in an understandable language before his people, today we can, as that poorest of the poor the plowboy, test every thought by the Word of God and know the truth. (Acts 17:11)
He gave his life first to his Lord and then in the spread of the Gospel. Unfortunately, not much is known about Tyndale personally. You do get to see the only known sample of his handwriting, and this book shares what little is known, but deals more with the important impact his work had on England. I learned ever as much about Henry VIII, John Frith, Dean Colet, Thomas Wolsey, many more reformers, and persecutors, as I did about him. It is an excellent history of the English Bible and Tyndale’s continued influence on the Church through his translation work. Edwards includes Bible verses from Tyndale’s translation and compares them with the later King James Version. It’s amazing how similar and yet how different they are. I had no idea so much of his work survived in the KJV.
There are a few instances where Edwards seems a bit too accepting of Tyndale and other reformers. No man is perfect and he writes as if Tyndale was.
It’s worth reading just to see the numerous relatively unknown people who sacrificed so that we could have a Bible we could understand and be freed from superstition and error. Edwards covers enough time that you can see the bigger picture of how God uses even the most godless of kings to advance His Word.
Because of Tyndale’s desire to place the knowledge of God (John 5:39) in an understandable language before his people, today we can, as that poorest of the poor the plowboy, test every thought by the Word of God and know the truth. (Acts 17:11)
He gave his life first to his Lord and then in the spread of the Gospel. Unfortunately, not much is known about Tyndale personally. You do get to see the only known sample of his handwriting, and this book shares what little is known, but deals more with the important impact his work had on England. I learned ever as much about Henry VIII, John Frith, Dean Colet, Thomas Wolsey, many more reformers, and persecutors, as I did about him. It is an excellent history of the English Bible and Tyndale’s continued influence on the Church through his translation work. Edwards includes Bible verses from Tyndale’s translation and compares them with the later King James Version. It’s amazing how similar and yet how different they are. I had no idea so much of his work survived in the KJV.
There are a few instances where Edwards seems a bit too accepting of Tyndale and other reformers. No man is perfect and he writes as if Tyndale was.
It’s worth reading just to see the numerous relatively unknown people who sacrificed so that we could have a Bible we could understand and be freed from superstition and error. Edwards covers enough time that you can see the bigger picture of how God uses even the most godless of kings to advance His Word.
August 5, 2020
The amazing life and day of William Tyndale who, after conversion, looked out on the English countryside, thought of the farmers and their need to read God's Word for themselves, in plain English. His life was spent mainly on the run, in hiding and in poverty. But he was zealous for God. Edwards does well in not only writing about Tyndale's life, work, faith and trials but also sharing about life in the Medieval period. An inspiring and captivating read.
November 9, 2017
This is more than just the story of a faithful fugitive with a desire for his fellow countrypeople to have access to the Scriptures. It's also the story of a faithful God whose gracious providence shines so wonderfully through the pages of the narrative. That's the real strength of Edwards's short but informative account of Tyndale's life. The biography is not flawless by any means. There are some comments that elevate Tyndale a bit too much; some of the ordering of material detracts from the innate thrillingness of the story. Yet, Edwards has still given us an encouraging bit of history in a very readable form, culminating with a plea that flows so naturally from the narrative before:
"We can honour Tyndale's memory in no greater way than by taking those same Scriptures as our only guide into the truth of God's way of salvation, and that will honour Tyndale's God."
"We can honour Tyndale's memory in no greater way than by taking those same Scriptures as our only guide into the truth of God's way of salvation, and that will honour Tyndale's God."
June 1, 2020
The book starts out a little slow and tedious in explaining the historical setting. The story itself of William Tyndale is fascinating. One humble, faithful man who lived and died to see that every man, woman, and child in England could read the Scriptures. The author traces the politics and powerplay so prevalent in the church at this point. Tyndale's story is often overlooked in favor of other reformers like Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin.
During my PhD defense in Bristol, I saw one of the tables Tyndale used for his translation work.
During my PhD defense in Bristol, I saw one of the tables Tyndale used for his translation work.
March 27, 2022
An engaging and encouraging retelling of the events of Tyndale's life and the wider reformation in England and beyond.
His last words "Lord, open the King of England's eyes" were said prior to his hanging in 1536. The first charge of which he was found guilty was believing in justification by faith alone. By God's grace in 1538 Henry VIII encouraged all printers to make "free and liberal use of the a Bible in our own maternal tongue". Wow.
His last words "Lord, open the King of England's eyes" were said prior to his hanging in 1536. The first charge of which he was found guilty was believing in justification by faith alone. By God's grace in 1538 Henry VIII encouraged all printers to make "free and liberal use of the a Bible in our own maternal tongue". Wow.
March 28, 2024
(4.5/5)
Great biography on William Tyndale, the man who translated the Bible into English from the original languages of Greek and Hebrew.
Great biography on William Tyndale, the man who translated the Bible into English from the original languages of Greek and Hebrew.
December 7, 2015
This is an interesting account of William Tyndale's efforts to translate the New Testament and the Pentateuch into English so that a common laborer could understand the scriptures without needing someone to tell him what it meant. At the time, what he did was highly illegal and ultimately led to his arrest and execution. He possessed great faith and courage and an absolute commitment to God's word.
I find his translation of the Pentateuch most impressive. He had to live on the run to avoid government agents, yet he managed to teach himself Hebrew to make the translation possible. I have been trying to learn Hebrew and find it the most difficult language I have ever studied, probably because it is outside the Indo-European language family. That he managed to achieve competency with minimal assistance while on the run utterly amazes me.
I find his translation of the Pentateuch most impressive. He had to live on the run to avoid government agents, yet he managed to teach himself Hebrew to make the translation possible. I have been trying to learn Hebrew and find it the most difficult language I have ever studied, probably because it is outside the Indo-European language family. That he managed to achieve competency with minimal assistance while on the run utterly amazes me.
March 16, 2008
Very good book. I doubt that Tyndale was as perfect as this assessment makes him out to be. But a good biography, and thankfully shorter and easier to read than the Daniells one.
July 18, 2012
OK story of William Tyndale who translated most of the English Bible version which had a tremendous influence on the King James Bible. He was quite a hero and died as a martyr.
October 30, 2012
This was a great book. I liked how it talked a good amount about the time period. It was amazing how much information the author fit into a fairly short book. It was also a quick and easy read.
September 9, 2016
Read it years ago, so what I can remember of it is that it is a very informative biography of Tyndale.
January 17, 2017
Goodreads does not have the children's version of this book, but that's what we read and it was quite good.
January 27, 2018
Well informed, mostly, and written for a popular audience.
September 21, 2021
Along with Lawson's work on Tyndale, a must read.
Want to read
January 16, 2011Just saw the movie on youtube... was quite intrigued with the story.
November 12, 2014
A history of the Bible in English..inspiring stuff.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews