​William Tyndale was a Reformer, a Bible translator, and – ultimately – a martyr. He became an outlaw as he worked in secret to give England a translation of Scripture in their own language directly from original Hebrew and Greek texts.

In doing so, he had a tremendous impact not only on the history of the church but also on the history of the English language. Every modern translation of the Bible relies heavily on Tyndale’s work, and he helped to standardize the English language and came up with many words and phrases that are still in use today.

Although he was able to smuggle his New Testament translations into England, many were confiscated and burned by the Catholic Church. Because of this (and the fact that about 500 years has passed since they were initially published), original copies of Tyndale’s work are extremely rare.

On this episode of the podcast I speak with Owen Felix O’Neill – a rare book collector who has an original, complete copy of the Tyndale New Testament of 1534. He is in the process of making a facsimile copy of this remarkable book available to all, and you can learn more about the project at Tyndale1534.com.

Felix and I discuss the great impact that Tyndale’s Bible had on the church, how he got started with his collection of over 3,000 rare books, and how they have gone about scanning and reproducing his copy of Tyndale’s New Testament. We’ll also get to learn about a couple of other interesting items in his collection.

Check out the show notes for this episode and learn more about the project at

On the Website: 
https://reasonabletheology.org/the-legacy-of-william-tyndales-new-testament-of-1534/

On YouTube: 
https://youtu.be/UjnU0jU42is?si=ItDzH-uXko6wpXJQ

Audio: 
​https://www.buzzsprout.com/198773/13661408

We are currently sourcing the correct leather and colour for our William Tyndale 1534 NT. We have now, all the scans completed, we have checked all the order of the pages and we are finally picking the correct leather. This is a one of production to do a final proof check. We will be auctioning this Tyndale shorly!

Tyndale N.T. 1534, Proof Copy, Final Corrections, proof reading by Felix.

Introduction
In the annals of history, there are individuals whose contributions reverberate through time, shaping the course of events for generations to come. One such figure is William Tyndale, an English scholar and theologian, whose printing of the New Testament in 1534 marked a watershed moment in the evolution of Christianity and the dissemination of the Bible. Tyndale's daring endeavor to translate and print the New Testament in English, a language accessible to the common people, ignited a spark that would eventually lead to the Reformation and the democratization of religious knowledge.

The Background: Tyndale's Vision
During the early 16th century, the Catholic Church held a firm grip on religious power, conducting services and disseminating scripture exclusively in Latin. The accessibility of religious texts was limited to the clergy and elite, leaving the common people largely ignorant of the sacred teachings. This scenario troubled Tyndale, a brilliant scholar with a profound desire to empower individuals with direct access to the word of God. Tyndale believed that the Bible should be available to all in their native language, enabling them to understand and interpret it independently.

The Herculean Task: Translating and Printing the New Testament
Tyndale's mission was clear: to translate the New Testament from its original Greek text into English. However, this task was not without its challenges. The Church viewed translating the Bible into vernacular languages as a threat to its authority, fearing that the interpretation could deviate from the sanctioned doctrine. Undeterred by these obstacles, Tyndale began his translation, tirelessly working to capture the essence of the scripture while making it comprehensible to the layperson.
In 1525, Tyndale completed his translation of the New Testament, a monumental achievement that would change the course of religious history. Armed with his English version of the scripture, Tyndale turned to the next crucial step: printing and distributing it.

The Printing Press: A Catalyst for Change
Tyndale understood that the printing press, a relatively recent invention, was a powerful tool for mass communication. He realized that by using this technology, he could produce multiple copies of his translated New Testament and distribute them far and wide. In 1534, Tyndale's English New Testament was finally printed, making it one of the first English translations of the Bible to be published.

The Impact: Revolutionizing Religious Access and Thought
The printing of Tyndale's New Testament had profound consequences. By putting the scripture in the hands of the ordinary people, Tyndale empowered them to read, interpret, and engage with the Bible on a personal level. This marked a radical departure from the traditional practice of relying on clergy for scriptural interpretation. Individuals could now form their own understanding of religious teachings, fostering a sense of autonomy and personal connection with the divine.

Tyndale's translation also played a pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation. His work challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and paved the way for further religious reforms. It is noteworthy that elements of Tyndale's translation found their way into subsequent English translations, including the famous King James Version of the Bible.
Legacy and Enduring Influence

William Tyndale's unwavering commitment to making the New Testament accessible to the common people set in motion a revolution that continues to resonate today. His translation and printing efforts laid the foundation for the democratization of religious knowledge, shaping the way people engage with their faith. Tyndale's work remains a testament to the power of determination, innovation, and the enduring impact of one individual's vision.

Conclusion
The printing of William Tyndale's New Testament in 1534 was more than just a literary accomplishment; it was a transformative event that reshaped the religious landscape. Tyndale's audacious decision to translate and print the scripture in English defied convention, ushering in an era of increased access to the Bible and paving the way for religious reform. His legacy serves as an inspiration, reminding us of the remarkable changes that can arise from the determination of a single individual to share knowledge and empower others.

​Felix O'Neil
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Unfortunaately we have to go back to Vienna to do three more scans as the scanner missed three pages. We will have the complete scans this week. We are also in talks with the book binders and printers. Nearly there everyone.

We have completed our post production edits to finalise each page for print.

We are currently removing the black backgrounds from the new scans, this is a slow process as every edge needs to be examined before the edits can be made.
Once we have these complete we will be going to print, thank you for your patience.