Tyndale's 1525 New Testament Prologue: Faith & Reformation

Tyndale's 1525 New Testament Prologue: Historical Context

This document presents the prologue to William Tyndale’s New Testament, printed in Cologne in 1525 during the reign of King Henry VIII. This period marked a pivotal moment in European history with the emergence of the Protestant Reformation.

The Rise of the Protestant Reformation

The early 16th century witnessed a significant religious movement across Europe: the Protestant Reformation. Led by the German theologian Martin Luther, this movement challenged the perceived corruption within the Catholic Church and advocated for profound reforms. Luther's ideas quickly gained international popularity, attracting numerous followers to his cause.

Core Tenets of Lutheranism

Lutherans questioned the multitude of Catholic sacraments, emphasizing instead the Bible as the sole source of divine knowledge—a principle known as “Sola Scriptura.” They strongly advocated for individual engagement with the Scriptures. However, as the Bible was primarily available in non-vernacular languages, the majority of uneducated Europeans could only access its teachings through the interpretations of preachers. Consequently, Protestants championed the translation of the Bible into common, everyday languages. Martin Luther himself produced the first such translation in Germany, setting a precedent for others to follow.

Henry VIII and the English Reformation's Dawn

In England, King Henry VIII was initially a staunch Catholic, as was his wife, Catherine of Aragon, daughter of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. Henry earned the title “Defender of the Faith” for his book, The Defence of the Seven Sacraments, which aimed to counter Lutheran critiques of Catholic practices. This strong opposition meant that early English Protestants, including William Tyndale, sought refuge in Germany, where they began the crucial work of translating the Bible into English.

William Tyndale's Pioneering Translations

William Tyndale, a key figure among these exiles, utilized Gutenberg's printing press to publish his translations of specific books of the Bible directly from their original Greek and Hebrew texts.

Tyndale's Theological Insights: Human Nature and Sin

A central theme in the first section of Tyndale’s prologue is the concept of humanity’s inherent evil. Tyndale posits that humans are inheritors of the original sin committed by Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God by consuming the forbidden fruit. Consequently, he argues, we are inherently sinful and destined to continue committing sins.

The Nature of Sin: An Inherent Condition

Through vivid imagery typical of religious texts, such as references to a serpent, an adder, a toad, and a venomous worm, Tyndale asserts that it is not merely our actions that make us evil, but rather our very nature. This inherent evil, he contends, compels us to sin when opportunities arise. This theological perspective aligns closely with Lutheran doctrine, many aspects of which Tyndale adopted and integrated into his translations.

A Message of Hope: Redemption Through Christ

In the second section of his prologue, Tyndale offers a profound message of hope. Employing a new metaphor, he explains that just as humans prune and graft a plant, God has delivered humanity from the inherent evil inherited from Adam, bestowing goodness upon them through Jesus Christ. Tyndale refers to the “elect and chosen” as those who embrace the tenets of Protestantism, highlighting the path to salvation and divine favor.