Modern Efforts to Translate the Bible: A Legacy of William Tyndale
In a remarkable parallel to historical events, an Iranian pastor is diligently revising the Old Testament into Persian, not far from the birthplace of the renowned biblical translator, William Tyndale.
William Tyndale, a pivotal figure of the early 16th century, was instrumental in translating the Bible into English from its original Greek and Hebrew texts. This effort came during a time when the Catholic Church strictly enforced the use of the Latin Vulgate, and English translations were actively suppressed.
Today, similar challenges persist in Iran, where owning or distributing Bibles is a criminal act, forcing numerous Iranian Christians to practice their faith in exile.
Pooyan Mehrshahi, an exiled Iranian Christian, is at the forefront of translating the Old Testament into Persian under the auspices of the Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS). Mehrshahi resides a mere 18 miles away from North Nibley, home to a memorial honoring Tyndale.
In a nod to Tyndale’s legacy, Mehrshahi bases his translation directly on the original Hebrew. He states, “Tyndale gave everything so that ordinary people could read the Word of God for themselves.
“We are seeking to uphold that same principle for people in my home country today.”
Mehrshahi’s mission is highlighted in a documentary commemorating the 500th anniversary of Tyndale’s New Testament publication in 1526. The film uniquely blends scenes from contemporary settings with AI-enhanced historical recreations.
The film’s purpose extends beyond celebrating Tyndale; it underscores the continued necessity of Bible translations into native languages. Presently, TBS is managing over 100 translation projects, many aimed at regions where Christianity faces severe persecution.
TBS Editorial Director Matthew Vogan emphasized, “The Tyndale documentary doesn’t simply tell his story, but it shows why it still matters.
“His work not only was instrumental in the spreading of the Christian message, but also in the English language. Many phrases we use today are from Tyndale’s original text.
“The 500-year anniversary provides a unique opportunity to present the need that many are still waiting for a Bible in their own language.”
The documentary “Tyndale” is available for free viewing at tyndalefilm.com.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
