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The 500th anniversary of the English New Testament is being celebrated with a series of events and gatherings, starting in Antwerp this July. This commemorative period highlights an important chapter in religious history…
William Tyndale’s Legacy
The journey of translating the Bible into English began with John Wycliffe and his followers in the 1300s, giving rise to the Lollards, England’s pioneering evangelical movement. William Tyndale, inspired by this movement, undertook the task of translating the New Testament from Greek, influenced by Erasmus’s printed Greek New Testament.
The New Testament in Print
In 1525, Tyndale completed this groundbreaking translation. However, due to opposition from English Church authorities, he was forced to flee to Germany to avoid persecution. His initial work, completed in Cologne, was betrayed, leaving only the first 22 chapters of Matthew, known as the Cologne Fragment. Undeterred, Tyndale moved to Worms, where he successfully completed and published his New Testament, which reached England and Scotland by late 1525 or early 1526.
Tyndale’s revised version was later printed in Antwerp, now part of Belgium, and events are planned to honor this milestone throughout 2025 and 2026. Tyndale’s translation laid the groundwork for the King James Version and subsequent modern Bible translations like the RSV, NRSV, and ESV.
The Tyndale Society’s Role
Founded in 1995, the Tyndale Society aims to promote research and scholarship about William Tyndale. From July 8-11, 2025, the Society hosted a conference in Antwerp in collaboration with the University of Antwerp, the Plantin-Moretus Print Museum, and Louvain University. Titled “Tudor England and the Antwerp Book Trade,” the conference attracted nearly a hundred participants who delivered papers and learned about Tyndale’s impact on the English Bible.
Antwerp’s Historical Significance
Antwerp holds a special place in the history of the English Bible, as both Tyndale and Myles Coverdale conducted their translation work there. Their efforts were instrumental in seeing their translations through to publication in the city.
Musical Tributes
During the anniversary celebrations, the Tyndale Singers, composed of past and present members of the English Choral Society, performed concerts, including one at Antwerp Cathedral. The repertoire included music that Tyndale might have heard in his time, both in England and Flanders.
Exhibits of Historical Significance
Attendees of the Antwerp event were treated to displays of 16th-century books, featuring the only pristine surviving complete copy of the 1526 New Testament. Usually housed at the Landesbibliothek in Stuttgart, this invaluable artifact was exhibited alongside a letter penned by Tyndale during his imprisonment in Vilvoorde. Another copy of the 1526 New Testament is held at the British Library, albeit missing its front cover, and a partial copy resides at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Global Commemorations
As the quincentenary progresses, churches and groups worldwide are planning various events to raise awareness and inspire discussions about the Bible. For further information, visit the Tyndale Society via its website.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
