Oct 6 Devotion

[Pastor Joelle]

October 6 – William Tyndale, Translator, Martyr, 1536

William Tyndale was born on the border of Wales around 1491. He
became a priest and was appalled by the state of decline he saw the
church in at the time. He believed if people could read scriptures in
their own language it was revitalize their faith.

Tyndale’s 1525 English translation of the bible was a masterpiece of
English and style that served as the model for all future English
versions for 400 years.

The Church at that time did not approve of any translations of
scripture outside of the Latin version known as the Vulgate. It also
did not approve of lay people reading the bible without the
established clergy to teach them how to interpret scripture according
to church doctrine. In 1535 Tyndale was arrested, tried and condemned
for heresy. In 1536 he was strangled at the stake and his body was
burned.

There is no question that putting scripture into the hands of all
people to read in their own language was a necessary part of the
movement to reform the church and revitalize the faith of believers.
However, the church authorities were right to be wary of what would
happen when everyone feels they can interpret scripture in whatever
way they choose. It is all very well and good to claim that your
position represents the “Word of God” but whose interpretation is the
right one? This was the question the church would fight (often
violently) over for the next several hundred years. And to this day,
the question has not been answered.

Lutheran’s believe that we read scripture by how it reveals Christ and
the Gospel of God’s good news of love, forgiveness and acceptance for
all people.

Gracious loving God, thank you for the gift of Your Word that we can
understand. May we always share it in ways that reveals your love to
others. Amen.