Series 1 Episode 2 -Three English Bibles (Transcript added).

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Series 1.

Episode 2.

Three English Bibles.

Luther teaches that Justification, is solely an act of God, while Faith, is a divine gift.

Explaining, that Christ alone has the power to remove the sins of the world, and that everyone who sins is justified by grace, not by their own works or merits.

Between 15 10 and 15 20, Luther delivered extensive lectures on the books of Hebrews, Romans Galatians, and the Psalms.

During this period, he reinterpreted the Catholic Church's terminology, such as "penance" and "righteousness," concluding that the Church had lost sight of Christianity's central truths.

In Christian theology, righteousness, means being right in the eyes of God, while justification, is the act by which God moves a willing person, from the state of sin to a state of grace.

In 15 20, the Protestant reformer Martin Luther had published three influential books in quick succession.

In these works, he openly criticised the unethical behaviour and perceived corruption within the Catholic Church, challenging many of its traditions.

Luther's writings highlighted his firm conviction, that salvation is attained solely through divine grace.

The following year, Henry VIII, with the help of Thomas More, issued a formal response to Martin Luther's criticisms with the publication, "Assertio Septem Sacramentorum".

Luther's response to Henry’s publication was to attack him in print, resorting to name-calling and insults.

At the King's request, More drafted a further rebuttal, which became known as the "Responsio ad Lutherum", and was published at the end of 15 23.

In 15 28, More published his religious argument called "A Dialogue Concerning Heresies".

The work asserted that the Catholic Church was the only legitimate Church established by Christ and his Apostles, and supported the authority and authenticity of its traditions and ceremonies.

Engaging with Luther only reinforced More's conventional Catholic convictions, after which he would refrain from expressing any dissent against Church authority.

Thomas More was born on 7 February 14 78 in London.

He was a lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist.

Cuthbert Tunstall, the Bishop of London, commissioned More to write his “Dialogue”.

The purpose of this work was to refute the heretical ideas found in Lutheran texts, and to challenge William Tyndale's unauthorised English translation of the New Testament.

In 15 31, Tyndale published his "Answer to More", from Antwerp, beginning with a brief letter to the reader, composed in the style of Saint Paul's writings.

In this seminal essay, Tyndale unveiled six key themes: The Church, Scripture, Faith, the Papacy, the Fathers and Sacred Signs.

A remarkable combat now ensued, between these two representatives of doctrines, which would ultimately divide Christendom.

Their theological duel played an important role in the history of the Reformation.

Tyndale advocated for the authority of Scripture, while More, defended the authority of the Church, also recognising that Tyndale’s language, could lead to a decentralised and de-sacralised church.

Sir Thomas More, consistently opposed the Protestant Reformation, questioning the theologies of Martin Luther, Zwingli, John Calvin, and William Tyndale.

On 16 May 15 32, Thomas More, resigned as Lord High Chancellor, due to his objections to King Henry VIII seizing the powers, once held by the English Catholic Church.

More also opposed King Henry's separation from the Roman Catholic Church, refusing to acknowledge him as the ultimate authority of the Church of England or accept his annulment from Catherine of Aragon.

As a result of this defiance, More was imprisoned in the Tower of London, for refusing to swear an oath to the Pledge of Supremacy.

During his imprisonment, he wrote the spiritual treatise, a "Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation."

Thomas Cromwell frequently visited More during his confinement, urging him to take the oath, but More steadfastly refused.

Thomas Cromwell was an English statesman and lawyer, born in 14 85 near London.

He played a significant role in the English Reformation, serving as chief minister to King Henry VIII from 15 34 to 15 40.

Despite Cromwell’s heartfelt appeals, More was found guilty of treason, and the court sentenced him to the gruesome fate of being hanged, drawn, and quartered.

However, in an act of clemency, the King commuted his sentence to beheading.

And so, on 6 July 15 35, Thomas More was executed at Tower Hill.

According to reports, his final words were, that he died as a loyal servant of the King, but placed God above all else.

Margaret Clement, the adopted child of More, was the sole family member, permitted to witness his execution.

As per tradition with traitors, his head was mounted on a spike over London Bridge, where it stayed displayed for one month.

His last request was for his headless remains, to be given to her, for a family burial.

His request was denied, and instead, his remains were laid in an unidentified grave, within St Peter ad Vincula's chapel in the Tower of London.

Thomas More created the word "Utopia", specifically for his renowned and controversial book, of the same name, which he completed in Latin in 15 16.

His theologian friend Erasmus, published it in Leuven in the same year, after More's death.

However, it took 16 years after More's execution for the book to be translated and published in English in 15 51.

Following its release, "Utopia" became the catalyst for an entirely new literary genre, giving rise to Utopian and Dystopian fiction.

These works depict visions of perfect communities and ideal cities, and their imperfect, flawed counterparts.

In 19 35, Pope Pius XI canonised Thomas More as a Catholic martyr.

Meanwhile, William Tyndale was diligently working on his project to interpret and translate the Old Testament.

In 15 30, Tyndale published his translation of the Pentateuch, which consists of the first five books of the Bible.

In Greek, the Pentateuch is referred to as the Torah, which includes the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

These books contain well-known Bible stories, such as those of Adam and Eve, Jacob and his brothers, Moses, and the Ten Commandments, which represent some of the earliest known legal codes.

Deuteronomy, the title of the fifth and final book of the Jewish Torah comes from the Greek word "deuteronomion," which means "second" or "repeated law”.

Tyndale released a revision of his New Testament in 15 34, followed by a third revised edition in 15 35.

Rome had set the Hierarchy above Faith; the Reformation was now set to restore Faith to its place, above the Hierarchy.

Thomas Cranmer, was born in 14 89 in Nottinghamshire, to a family with important connections to the local gentry.

He became a significant historical figure, serving as the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury.

By the age of fourteen, Cranmer was attending Jesus College Cambridge, where he received a classical education, which included philosophy and literature.

During his time there, he embraced the teachings of humanist scholars, such as Erasmus.

By 15 15, he had completed a Master's degree and was elected to a Fellowship at Jesus College.

In 15 20, Cranmer was ordained by the University and went on to earn his Doctor of Divinity degree in 15 26.

In 15 27, Cardinal Wolsey, requested that Cranmer assist him, with the annulment of King Henry VIII's marriage, in addition to his responsibilities at Cambridge.

In January 15 32, Cranmer unexpectedly received his appointment as the resident ambassador at the court of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor.

During this period, his travels took him through Nuremberg, a stronghold of Lutheranism, where he witnessed the transformative effects of the Reformation firsthand.

However, in October of that year, royal dispatches informed Cranmer, that King Henry VIII had selected him to succeed Archbishop William Warham, to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

This prestigious position was secured for Cranmer by Anne Boleyn's influential family while Henry was ardently pursuing her.

William Farel was born in Gap, located in the Côte d'Azur region of south-eastern France, in 14 89.

During the early years of the Reformation, he studied under pro-reform Catholic clergy at the University of Paris.

Farel was an evangelist and Protestant reformer, and he became one of the founders of Calvinist churches in the Swiss cantons of Neuchâtel, Geneva, Bern, and Vaud.

In 15 19, he joined the Cercle de Meaux, a group formed by a reform-minded bishop.

The members of the Meaux Circle, each bringing their distinct talents to the table, highlighted the importance of studying the Bible and embracing the theology of the early Church.

They particularly advocated for the preaching of Scripture in local parishes, underscoring its vital role in community faith.

While working in Meaux, Farel was influenced by Lutheran ideas, becoming a fervent supporter of them.

However, controversies, arising from his criticisms of using images in Christian worship, eventually compelled him to seek refuge in Switzerland.

In 15 24, while in Basel, Farel wrote thirteen theses, which were highly critical of Roman Catholic doctrines.

His arguments were so compelling, that even Erasmus, called for his expulsion.

Farel then travelled to Strasbourg and Montbéliard, but circumstances again forced him to leave.

In 15 30, after receiving permission to preach in the Canton of Bern, he convinced the city of Neuchâtel to join the Reformation.

Farel, a key figure in the Reformation, fully embraced Luther's teachings.

He worked tirelessly, to encourage the French-speaking population of Switzerland, to adopt Protestant principles.

His efforts included helping to establish several churches and supporting them, through the publication of Reformation literature, in collaboration with his publisher, Pierre de Vingle.

Swiss French is the second most widely spoken language in Switzerland, primarily used in the western regions, covering the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, and Jura.

Ultimately, he spent time with Ulrich Zwingli in Zurich, and later with Martin Bucer in Strasbourg, before finally establishing himself in Geneva in 15 32 where he served as its minister for many years.

Myles Coverdale, born in 14 88 in Yorkshire, was an English Bible translator, reformer, and Bishop of Exeter.

He studied philosophy and theology at Cambridge, earning a bachelor's degree, in canon law in 15 13.

In 15 14, Coverdale was ordained as a priest in Norwich by John Underwood, the bishop and archdeacon of Norfolk.

After moving to Cambridge, he joined the Augustinian friars and met Thomas Cromwell.

Later, he sought Cromwell's guidance on his future conduct and preaching.

In 15 28, Coverdale left the Augustinians to embark on a speaking tour.

He opposed practices he deemed heretical, such as transubstantiation, the veneration of holy icons, and confessing sins to priests.

As the year progressed, his controversial opinions forced him into hiding.

He eventually found sanctuary in Antwerp, where he assisted William Tyndale with his translations of the English Bible.

From 15 28 to 15 35, Coverdale spent most of his time in continental Europe, primarily in Antwerp, where he worked on his translations.

Although he had yet to become proficient, in Hebrew or Greek, he utilised Latin English and German sources and Tyndale's translations to aid his work.

On 21 May 15 35, the Antwerp authorities, apprehended John Tyndale, outside his safe house, following a deceptive scheme, orchestrated by the Englishman Henry Phillips.

As a result, Tyndale was held captive in Vilvoorde castle, near Brussels, throughout 15 35.

In 15 36, he faced charges of heresy, which led to his trial and subsequent conviction.

Despite Thomas Cromwell's plea for mercy, the court sentenced Tyndale to death, by burning.

In early October 15 36, as Tyndale was bound at the stake, he was first strangled, and his lifeless body burned.

Although he is best known for his translation of the Bible, Tyndale was also an active writer and translator.

In addition to emphasising the practice of religion, he had a keen interest in political issues.

After Tyndale was executed, Coverdale produced the first fully printed English Bible, commonly referred to as the Coverdale Bible.

Although Tyndale did not have the satisfaction of completing his English Bible while imprisoned, he may have discovered that a complete translation, primarily based on his work, had been created.

Jacobus van Meteren is generally acknowledged to have provided the financial support for printing the Coverdale Bible in Antwerp.

This impressive volume was soon reproduced in England by James Nicolson of Southwark.

In 15 34, Henry VIII, received a petition from the Canterbury Convocation, requesting that he commission a complete translation of the Bible, into English.

As a result, Coverdale presented his fully translated English Bible to King Henry VIII in 15 35 for his approval.

The foundation of Coverdale's text was primarily based on Tyndale's New Testament translation.

To translate other Old Testament books that were not covered by Tyndale's work, Coverdale relied on German translations by Luther and others.

In the year following Tyndale's death, a new Bible appeared in England, which was approved by the King, and said to be the work of Thomas Matthew.

Printed in Antwerp in 15 37, the Matthew Bible was an early compilation of English translations of the Bible's books.

This version was first published in 15 37 by an Englishman named John Rogers.

To protect his identity and conceal William Tyndale's contribution to the project, Rogers used the pseudonym Thomas Matthew.

This new Bible was dedicated to Henry VIII, who authorised it for public reading.

The Matthew Bible unmistakably traces its roots back to Tyndale's work.

Had Henry VIII uncovered this link, it would have placed Cromwell and Cranmer in a precarious situation.

In September 15 38, Thomas Cromwell issued an injunction, requiring every parish to purchase a copy of an English Bible, and display it in their churches, for everyone to see and reed.

To fulfil this demand, the Great Bible was commissioned for production.

The French printer, François Regnault, who supplied all English service books from 15 19 to 15 34, was chosen as the printer, due to his superior typography, compared to that available in England.

Cromwell sent Miles Coverdale to Paris, to oversee the production of this new Bible.

The Great Bible of 15 39, was the first English Bible officially sanctioned by King Henry VIII, for use during Church of England services.

While it incorporated much of the content from the Tyndale Bible, it removed some of its objectionable features.

Since the Tyndale Bible was incomplete, Coverdale translated the remaining Old Testament and Apocrypha books from the Latin Vulgate and German translations; rather than working from the original Greek Hebrew and Aramaic texts.

The Great Bible is named for its large size, but is also known by several other names:

1. The King's Bible, because King Henry VIII of England authorised its use.

2. The Cromwell Bible, as Thomas Cromwell directed its publication.

3. The Whitchurch Bible, named after its first English printer.

4. The Chained Bible, designed to prevent its theft from the church.

The printing of the Great Bible began in May 15 38.

However, a group of English bishops and French theologians from the Sorbonne quickly interrupted the operation.

As a result, the Pope was pressured to issue an edict, ordering the press to stop, and mandating the burning of all copies of English Bibles.

Coverdale managed to save some completed sheets and typeface from confiscation, relocating them to London, where Grafton and Whitchurch were able to finish the work.

In 15 38, dual-language New Testament editions were published in Paris and London.

In a further innovation, Coverdale compared the Latin Vulgate text with his English translation in parallel columns on each page.

The Great Bible was on the brink of finalisation, with a mandate insisting on its adoption across all churches in England.

However a shortage of printed copies in London resulted in the co-adoption of another version of the Matthew Bible, which Coverdale had reworked.

In February 15 39, Coverdale returned to Newbury, bringing news of his work's progress to Thomas Cromwell.

The Great Bible was taking shape in London’s print houses, with preparations underway for its release in April.

As the decade ended, conservative religious leaders, led by Bishop Stephen Gardiner, known as Wily Winchester, began to regain their authority and influence, in opposition to Cromwell's policies.

On 28 June 15 39, Henry's Parliament passed the Act of Six Articles, marking the end of the official acceptance of religious reforms.

This Act, established six essential Catholic doctrines, the denial of which became a legally punishable offence.

These doctrines included:

1. Those who denied the concept of transubstantiation faced the death penalty as a heretic.

2. Denying the divine authority of clerical celibacy, vows of chastity, private masses, or the practical necessity of verbal confessions before an authorised priest, could also result in execution.

Transubstantiation is a Scholastic term, which seeks to explain how bread and wine can become the body and blood of Christ, while retaining their outward appearance.

Thomas Cromwell's downfall began, when he arranged a matrimonial alliance between King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves, a German princess.

Unfortunately, the marriage was disastrous and ended in dissolution six months later.

As a result, on 10 June 15 40, Thomas Cromwell was imprisoned in the infamous Tower of London, on dubious charges of treason and heresy.

His enemies were reluctant to risk everything with a public trial, so they convinced the King to introduce a bill of attainder in Parliament.

An Act, or Bill of Attainder, allows Parliament to pronounce a legal judgment on an accused individual, allowing it to act as both judge and jury, effectively replacing a judicial verdict.

The bill was passed in late June, thereby allowing parliament to sentence Cromwell to death.

While imprisoned in the Tower, Cromwell wrote several heartfelt letters to the King, his final letter being a desperate plea for mercy.

He sought to convince Henry to pardon him, and spare him from execution.

Unfortunately, the King chose to ignore his requests.

On 28 July 15 40, Thomas Cromwell, the King's former chief advisor, was beheaded at Tower Hill at the age of fifty-five, after being found guilty of corruption, heresy, and treason.

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And, - on the very same day, in an extraordinary event, just nineteen days after the annulment of his marriage to Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII, aged forty-nine, married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard who was between fifteen and twenty-one years old.

Standing on the scaffold, before his execution, Thomas Cromwell, the Earl of Essex, was heard making the following remarks.

“I have come here to die and not to purge myself.

By Law, I have been condemned to die, and I thank my Lord God, who has appointed me to this death.

“It may not be known to many of you that I have been a great traveller in this world and, being of low birth, I was called to the King's high estate.

I have offended my prince, for which I ask him forgiveness, and beseech you all to pray to God, with me.”.

Likely fortified by alcohol, it is believed that the inexperienced executioner took two or three strokes to behead him.

By tradition, Cromwell's head was displayed on London Bridge before being reunited with the rest of his remains, which were buried at the Tower's Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula, alongside his former rivals, Anne Boleyn and Thomas More.

Henry VIII was soon to regret executing Cromwell.

He blamed his Privy Council for exaggerating minor errors into malicious and false accusations, which led him to kill his most faithful servant.

Thomas Cromwell had been one of the most exceptional royal servants in history, masterminding widespread reforms in every aspect of England’s religious, political, and social life.

Henry would have difficulty replacing him.

It's important to note, that out of the three Bible translators, two faced martyrdom.

On 6 October 15 36, John Tyndale was tragically strangled before his body was burned.

John Rogers, who was "Tested by Fire" on 4 February 15 55, at Smithfield, became the first to suffer this fate under Queen Mary.

In contrast, Myles Coverdale was the only translator who escaped execution, likely due to his active role in the production and publication of later Bible versions.

Three key English Bibles - the Great Bible published in 15 39, the Bishops' Bible in 15 68, and the King James Bible in 16 11 - were all significantly influenced by Tyndale's biblical translations.

As a result, Tyndale's translation became the foundation, for the first English Bibles to receive royal approval.

His work profoundly influenced later English translations and played a crucial role in the development and widespread use of the English language.

Some of Tyndale’s Quotes:

The only way to save your soul, which was the only meaning of being on earth, was to listen to the word of God.

To find God's word, you must understand it in your own language.

The Bible contains the word of God, not rules made by successive Popes over centuries, and turned into a system, which I object to in almost every particular.

If God spares my life, before long I shall cause a plough boy, to know the scriptures better than you.

Although the Plough boy is illiterate, through education, the Bible could be read aloud directly and understood by everyone.

The Catholic clergy are unfit to transmit the word of God.

The Commoners of England must be able to read it for themselves, in plain English.

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