The Word that Changed the World
WRITTEN BY kcc comms team
Five hundred years ago, William Tyndale held a radical conviction: ordinary people should be able to read the bible in their own language.
For Tyndale, this wasn’t simply an academic question. He saw a church and society where scripture was largely inaccessible to ordinary people, with no authorised English translation and much of what people knew about the bible filtered through those who could read and interpret it for them from Greek or Latin. He became convinced that God’s Word was for everyone, not just scholars or clergy, and wanted ordinary people to be able to open the bible for themselves, discover who God is and encounter His truth.
Tyndale became convinced that the word of God should be placed directly into people’s hands. He wanted even ordinary men and women to be able to read, understand and know God’s word for themselves.
That conviction came at a huge personal cost. Tyndale fled England to continue his work, and his New Testament was eventually printed in 1526 and smuggled back into the country. He was arrested and executed in 1536, but his work has lived on ever since.
The impact has been extraordinary. Tyndale’s translation helped shape the English language and opened up scripture to generations of English-speaking people, playing a part in the spread of the gospel and the influence of the Christian faith on culture and public life. His work also became part of a much bigger story, inspiring generations of people to make scripture accessible in the languages of their own communities. Today, people across countless cultures can read the bible in their own language, encounter God’s word for themselves and hear the good news of Jesus.
But why does Tyndale matter to us 500 years later?
Because his story reminds us of the power of the word of God when it is made accessible, understood and lived out. It challenges us to consider what it looks like for scripture to remain central in our churches, our culture and our conversations today.
This November, we’re hosting the Tyndale 500 Conference, marking 500 years since Tyndale’s New Testament was first printed in English.
Across two days, we’ll explore the lasting impact of scripture on faith, history and culture, while considering what it means for us to honour the Word of God in our own generation. With speakers including Andrew Wilson, Glen Scrivener, John Stevens, Natalie Williams, John Risbridger, Andy Johnston and more, we’re looking forward to two days of teaching, conversation, worship and encouragement.
Whether you feel passionate about history, theology, evangelism or simply want to grow in your faith, we’d love you to join us.
And if you can’t make both days, day tickets are now available, so you can come along for whichever day works best for you.
Come and be part of the conversation about the enduring power of the word of God, and why its voice still matters as it continues to shape our world today.
Click below to book in or find out more.
For Tyndale, this wasn’t simply an academic question. He saw a church and society where scripture was largely inaccessible to ordinary people, with no authorised English translation and much of what people knew about the bible filtered through those who could read and interpret it for them from Greek or Latin. He became convinced that God’s Word was for everyone, not just scholars or clergy, and wanted ordinary people to be able to open the bible for themselves, discover who God is and encounter His truth.
Tyndale became convinced that the word of God should be placed directly into people’s hands. He wanted even ordinary men and women to be able to read, understand and know God’s word for themselves.
That conviction came at a huge personal cost. Tyndale fled England to continue his work, and his New Testament was eventually printed in 1526 and smuggled back into the country. He was arrested and executed in 1536, but his work has lived on ever since.
The impact has been extraordinary. Tyndale’s translation helped shape the English language and opened up scripture to generations of English-speaking people, playing a part in the spread of the gospel and the influence of the Christian faith on culture and public life. His work also became part of a much bigger story, inspiring generations of people to make scripture accessible in the languages of their own communities. Today, people across countless cultures can read the bible in their own language, encounter God’s word for themselves and hear the good news of Jesus.
But why does Tyndale matter to us 500 years later?
Because his story reminds us of the power of the word of God when it is made accessible, understood and lived out. It challenges us to consider what it looks like for scripture to remain central in our churches, our culture and our conversations today.
This November, we’re hosting the Tyndale 500 Conference, marking 500 years since Tyndale’s New Testament was first printed in English.
Across two days, we’ll explore the lasting impact of scripture on faith, history and culture, while considering what it means for us to honour the Word of God in our own generation. With speakers including Andrew Wilson, Glen Scrivener, John Stevens, Natalie Williams, John Risbridger, Andy Johnston and more, we’re looking forward to two days of teaching, conversation, worship and encouragement.
Whether you feel passionate about history, theology, evangelism or simply want to grow in your faith, we’d love you to join us.
And if you can’t make both days, day tickets are now available, so you can come along for whichever day works best for you.
Come and be part of the conversation about the enduring power of the word of God, and why its voice still matters as it continues to shape our world today.
Click below to book in or find out more.