We continue the story of our celebrating in 2011 the four-hundred year anniversary of the work which gave us the most read book in the world, the King James’ Authorised Version of the Bible.
Called to communicate
Once William Tyndale had opened the door to a bible in English (see last month’s newsletter) others were inspired to follow in his footsteps. But they must have been nervous at doing do so because they were conscious that for his efforts Tyndale was put to death. However, the new wave of translators was certain that they had been called by God to communicate his Word in the language of the reader.
Myles Coverdale
If Tyndale is recognised as a first, the next after Tyndale to venture into print in English was Myles Coverdale. Coverdale based his New Testament on Tyndale’s translation. However, he also produced some original work. Coverdale was not a Hebrew or Greek scholar. He worked primarily from German Bibles, those of Martin Luther and the Swiss-German version, known as the Zurich Bible, of Zwingli [1] and Latin sources including the Vulgate. [2]
Matthew Bible
What cannot be ignored as translation followed translation was the contribution to them of William Tyndale. Next on the scene after Coverdale’s came the Matthew Bible. Acknowledging the tremendous contribution of Tyndale, the Matthew Bible also significantly shaped and influenced English Bible versions in the centuries that followed its first appearance. This version was the combined work of three individuals – Tyndale, Coverdale and in particular John Rogers, who worked under the alias, an assumed name or pseudonym, Thomas Matthew.
Dangerous work
It is claimed that Rogers used the pseudonym, Thomas Matthew, to hide from Henry VIII that he was using Tyndale’s translation which had been banned by Henry. Let it not be forgotten that of the three translators mentioned, two were burned at the stake. Tyndale was burned on October 6th, 1536, in Vilvoorde, Belgium. John Rogers was “tested by fire” on February 4th, 1555, at Smithfield, England.
The Great Bible:
An official authorised version
Myles Coverdale though escaped such persecution and was engaged by Sir Thomas Cromwell, secretary to Henry VIII and Vicar General, to work on the first officially authorised English translation. This officially authorised English translation of 1539 was to be referred to as the Great Bible because of its large size. Therefore, the Great Bible was the first authorised edition of the Bible in English. Furthermore, it was authorised by Henry VIII to be read aloud in the church services of the Church of England.
An impatient monarch
Why was the Great Bible produced? Henry was becoming impatient. Henry VIII had promised that there would be an officially authorised English Bible. There is a suggestion that he did so because what he wanted was to come to some form of accommodation with English Roman Catholics and Protestants, or rather persuade Catholics to shift their beliefs and Protestants to conform. As mentioned earlier he had banned Tyndale’s books. Amongst other issues Tyndale had questioned whether there was a justification for a hierarchy – popes, bishops etal – in church structures. Therefore, he was challenging Henry’s view of his position over the English church. And, Tyndale’s books had caused an increasingly vigorous argument to break with Roman Catholicism and establish particular forms of Protestantism. For instance those pesky Puritans were getting agitated and voicing their concerns.
Understandable delays?
The scholars – 10 diocesan bishops – who Henry had appointed to produce an English Bible were on a go-slow. There was a (very) strong motive for them delaying their work. They did not want to do something which offended the king. He needed arguments to justify his relationship with Rome and a good reason for his personal domestic affairs and find answers as to what was happening in the English churches.
Popular uprising
Regarding the last for example, Henry was convinced that the Pilgrimage of Grace begun in northern England, in particular in York, was due to popular religious ignorance of God’s Word in scripture. Amongst several other issues the pilgrimage was by people objecting to the break with Rome and the dissolution of the monasteries. It will be remembered that Henry’s officers brutally put down what they saw in the pilgrimage as a rebellion against the king. Or, is it being cynical to suggest it was it all about Henry imposing and using God’s Word in a form to justify a particular end – establishing Henry’s Church in England?
Myles Coverdale, Bishop of Exeter
Conservatives satisfied
The diocesan bishops were sacked as translators and Myles Coverdale was brought in to meet Henry’s need for a (revised) English version. To make Henry happy with a new version changes appear to have been done to make the Great Bible more acceptable to conservative English churchmen. (Take note that the psalms of the Book of Common Prayer of 1662 continue to be taken from the Great Bible rather than the King James Bible.) The revision of the Great Bible version was a stop gap. Henry VIII was happy – or happier – but there was still some distance to go in the story before we get to the King James’ Authorised Version.
Pressures continue
There were churchmen and congregations who were still dissatisfied. They would have to wait awhile as Henry was succeeded by his son and two daughters before we get to King James VI & I. In the short reign of Edward, he pushed hard to establish reforms. He was followed by Mary, with her efforts to return the church to Rome; and, then the long reign of Elizabeth, the political monarch desperate to keep her country at peace with itself in all things – including religion – and its neighbours. Amongst those neighbours was of course Scotland. And, Scotland was, and increasingly so, Christian Protestant Calvinist Presbyterian Non-Conformists which was to cause King James VI of Scotland and I of England problems both north and south of the border.
[1] Zwingli was one of the great reformers. It is on his theological deliberations that our United Reformed Church Non-Conformity can be traced. In particular, and using scripture, he is known for his beliefs on the place, or rather no place, of ecumenical councils, church fathers, popes etal, the acceptance of the baptism of infants and the bread and wine at the Eucharist not being transubstantiating into the body and blood of Christ.
[2] Vulgate means ‘common’ as in ‘commonly available’/’common usage’. The Vulgate was a Latin translation of some earlier Christian writers such as Jerome. Jerome felt it important that the Bible should be available in the official language of the Roman Empire. Because it was in that official language it could be read by all Christians providing them with a common foundation. That word though still needed interpreting, “What does this mean?” answers, to give a common understanding. And that’s when the problems start!