Renewing Your Mind: "Tyndale and the Early Reformers"

Hosted by Ligonier Ministries | Release Date: August 2, 2025

Introduction to the English Reformation Series

In the episode titled "Tyndale and the Early Reformers," Dr. Michael Reeves embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the English Reformation and the pivotal figures who shaped it. He emphasizes the dual focus of the series: understanding the profound thoughts of key Puritan leaders and grasping the historical context in which they operated. Dr. Reeves states:

"We're going to be getting to know, getting to appreciate getting inside the skin and head of some great Christian thinkers... and we're also going to get to know the history that surrounds them."
[00:42]

The Continental Reformation: Erasmus and Martin Luther

Erasmus of Rotterdam's Greek New Testament

Dr. Reeves begins by situating the English Reformation within the broader Continental Reformation. He introduces Erasmus of Rotterdam, hailed as one of the greatest scholars of his time. In 1516, Erasmus published an edition of the Greek New Testament, accompanied by his own Latin translation, diverging from the Church's official Latin Vulgate. This bold move was initially well-received by the Pope:

"Erasmus... dedicated it to the Pope. And the Pope gratefully sent him a letter of thanks and commended it."
[06:30]

However, discrepancies between Erasmus' translation and the Vulgate began to surface, raising theological questions. A notable example is Matthew 4:17:

• Vulgate Translation: "do penance" (implying sacramental acts mediated by the priest)
• Erasmus' Translation: "be penitent" and later "change your mind" (emphasizing personal repentance)

Dr. Reeves explains the significance of this divergence:

"If Rome is wrong on that verse, what else might she be wrong on? And what sort of spiritual authority is she if she can get things so wrong?"
[10:15]

Erasmus' work inadvertently set the stage for a broader theological upheaval, challenging the Church's authority and interpretation of Scripture.

Martin Luther's Theological Transformation

The episode then transitions to Martin Luther, a formidable monk in North Germany who deeply engaged with Erasmus' New Testament. Unlike Erasmus, Luther found Erasmus' translation challenging and began to question the Church's teachings. His pivotal experience comes from grappling with passages on justification by faith.

Initially, Luther interpreted Romans 5:5 as:

"God has poured his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, making us more loving, righteous, and just over time."
[15:45]

This view suggested a progressive sanctification leading to justification. However, struggling with Romans 1:17, Luther experienced a profound shift:

"Looking at that verse which says, the righteous will live by faith... I could not believe that God was placated by my satisfaction. Thus I raged with a fierce and troubled conscience."
[19:30]

Upon deeper meditation, Luther concluded:

"The righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, a passive righteousness by which the merciful God justifies us by faith."
[21:00]

This revelation transformed Luther's understanding from a self-improvement model of justification to one where God declares sinners righteous solely through faith in Christ. This doctrinal shift became the cornerstone of Luther's teachings, asserting:

1. Scripture Supremacy: The Bible stands above the Pope and the Church.
2. Justification by Faith Alone: Salvation is a divine declaration, independent of human merit.

The Spark of Reformation in England

Thomas Bilney's Conversion

Crossing the English Channel, Dr. Reeves introduces Thomas Bilney, a young priest influenced by Erasmus' New Testament. Bilney's encounter with the scripture:

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners... I seemed unto myself inwardly to feel a marvelous comfort and quietness."
[22:10]

This newfound understanding led Bilney to reject traditional Catholic practices and embrace the Reformation's core tenets. Despite lacking exposure to Luther's works directly, Bilney's transformation ignited a movement:

"Billney had not read Luther. He'd just read the New Testament and come to the same conclusions."
[23:00]

Bilney's passionate advocacy culminated in his martyrdom in 1531, symbolizing the high price of disseminating God's Word.

William Tyndale: The Father of the English Bible

Central to the episode is William Tyndale, a brilliant linguist whose defiance against the Catholic Church epitomized the Reformation spirit. Employed as a tutor by Sir John Walsh, Tyndale's radical views often clashed with his employer:

"One Catholic scholar was so exasperated by talking to Tyndale that he blurted out, 'Oh, we would be better without God's law than the Pope's.' Tyndale replied, 'I defy the Pope and all his laws...'"
[23:45]

Determined to make Scripture accessible, Tyndale embarked on translating the Bible directly from Greek and Hebrew into English—a heretical endeavor in England at the time. His journey led him to Worms, Germany, the very place where Luther had famously declared, "Here I stand." In 1526, five years after Luther's landmark response, Tyndale published his complete New Testament in English.

Dr. Reeves highlights the distinctiveness of Tyndale's translation compared to earlier efforts:

"Tyndale's New Testament could be printed off by the thousand and smuggled... It was a radical difference... None of which impressed the English bishops. To them, Tyndale's translation was plain dangerous."
[24:09]

Despite fierce opposition from the Church—resulting in the burning of his works and ultimately his execution in 1536—Tyndale's legacy endured. Approximately 16,000 copies of his New Testament circulated in England, a monumental feat given the nation's population and literacy rates at the time.

Conclusion and Legacy

William Tyndale's unwavering commitment to translating Scripture laid the foundation for the English Reformation. His work not only provided English-speaking Christians with direct access to the Bible but also challenged the Catholic Church's monopolistic control over religious knowledge. Tyndale's martyrdom underscored the perilous path of reform but also highlighted the enduring power of God's Word to transform hearts and societies.

Dr. Reeves concludes the episode by setting the stage for future discussions, promising to delve deeper into the lives of key reformers and the divine providence that orchestrated these historic changes.

Notable Quotes:

• William Tyndale's Defiance:

  "I defy the Pope and all his laws, and if God spare my life ere many years, I will cause a boy that drives the plough to know the Scriptures better than you do."
  [23:45]

• Luther's Transformation on Justification:

  "The righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, a passive righteousness by which the merciful God justifies us by faith."
  [21:00]

• Thomas Bilney's Revelation:

  "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners... I seemed unto myself inwardly to feel a marvelous comfort and quietness."
  [22:10]

This episode offers a profound insight into the tumultuous period of the English Reformation, highlighting the courage and conviction of individuals like William Tyndale who risked everything to make God's Word accessible to all. Through meticulous scholarship and passionate teaching, Dr. Reeves brings to life the transformative power of Scripture and its enduring impact on Christian history.