Knowing the Story Behind the Historical Tyndale New Testament

William Tyndale was the first man to print the New Testament in English. The 1536 Tyndale New Testament was the most elaborate and last edition done before Tyndale died in October of the same year. This Bible has outstanding woodcut illustrations and a Gothic blackletter typeface that bears resemblance to calligraphy and evokes a medieval feel.

What Made Tyndale Print the New Testament in English?

Tyndale got educated at the University of Oxford and took up an instructor’s job at the University of Cambridge. While working there, he started meeting some humanist scholars at the White Horse Inn in 1521. Soon, Tyndale became convinced that the church’s doctrines and practices should be determined by the Bible alone and that all believers should be capable of reading the Bible in their own language.

This prompted him to start working on a New Testament translation in 1523. He translated directly from Greek. After England’s church authorities prevented him from continuing his translation as they wanted to be in charge of access to the scriptures and their interpretation, Tyndale fled to Germany in 1524. This became possible due to the financial support extended to him by the affluent London merchants.

The Tyndale New Testament was completed in July 1525, after which it went to print at Cologne. Again, city authorities pressured him, which forced Tyndale to move base to Worms, where he published two more editions in 1525. In 1526, the first copies of the Tyndale New Testament were smuggled into England, thanks to their small octavo format. However, they were forbidden immediately.

Several copies of the Tyndale New Testament were seized and burned, and those who owned them risked death by burning at the stake. Eventually, Tyndale was detained in Belgium and burned at the stake in 1536. But he continued living through his work.

Printing of the Tyndale New Testament opened the floodgates of new versions, and several English translation works that followed in the rest of the 16th and early 17th centuries were mostly based on Tyndale’s work. Today, just two known copies of the first edition of Tyndale New Testament exist.

Whether you are looking for the 1525 copy or the 1536 Tyndale New Testament, getting the originals could be pretty difficult and extremely costly. However, you can get hold of a facsimile of these Bibles by buying them from a reliable and reputed dealer of rare Bibles and their facsimile reproductions.

Wrapping Up

When buying a facsimile of the Tyndale New Testament, it would help to buy photographically enlarged reproductions. The ones that are almost 125% the size of the original can facilitate easy reading. You should also make sure the facsimiles are the authentic replica of the original Tyndale New Testament and feature multiple large woodcut illustrations.

Original Source: http://tyndale-bible.com/knowing-the-story-behind-the-historical-tyndale-new-testament.html

The Gutenberg Bible – World’s Most Famous Bible

Johann Gutenberg was a German skilled in engraving and metalworking. He and his associates, Peter Schoeffer and Johann Fust, printed the Gutenberg Bible in Germany’s Mainz in 1455. Thus, Gutenberg made the scriptures potentially accessible to every individual. According to some sources, just 48 copies of the Gutenberg Bible are known to have survived, of which 36 are printed on paper and 12 on vellum. To own a piece of history, you can get a facsimile reproduction of the Gutenberg Bible.

The Gutenberg Bible in Latin text is a two-volume work, which was printed in 42-line columns. During the later stages of this Bible’s production, six compositors worked on it simultaneously. Sometimes, the Gutenberg Bible is called the Mazarin Bible, because the first copy that the bibliographers described was located in Cardinal Mazarin’s Paris-based library.

Knowing Johann Gutenberg Better

In the 1440s, Johann Gutenberg started experimenting with new ways of printing, similar to several other Europeans. Everyone was trying to find a cheaper and faster way to produce books. Typically, the Europeans used woodcuts or hand stamps, which were an improvement over handwritten text. Yet, they were still utterly slow.

Though printing with moveable type was developed earlier in East Asia, it was still unknown in Europe. The earliest type of this form of printing is documented in some 11th century Chinese sources. In the 13th century, a moveable metal type was built in Korea. From the early 15th century, several officially commissioned fonts began being created in Korea.
Meanwhile, Johann Gutenberg continued with his experiments. Since he was skilled in engraving and metal working, he had an advantage over many others. During his stay in Strasbourg, he perfected quite a few unique ideas. One was an adjustable hand-held mold that could be used to cast any letter precisely and in large quantities. Another was a sturdy tin alloy that melted and solidified rapidly without distortion. He also developed a modified printing press and oil-based ink.

Though it took him many more years, he finally finished printing the Bible in 1455 using moveable type. In Europe, the Gutenberg Bible was the earliest full-scale work that was printed with the use of a moveable type.

Features of the Gutenberg Bible

This Bible had no page numbers, title page, and innovations to differentiate it from a manuscript copyist’s work. Apparently, this was what Gutenberg desired. Though the Gutenberg Bible used space uneconomically, it depicts a certain level of technical efficiency not significantly improved upon prior to the 19th century. This Bible’s Gothic type is grand in appearance, has a medieval feeling, and is a little less pointed and compressed than other examples that emerged soon.

Final Words

The technological breakthrough of Johann Gutenberg - the German printer, is a landmark in the history of printed Bibles. Had it not been for his relentless pursuit of cheaper and speedier printing modes during his time, the Gutenberg Bible wouldn’t have seen the light of day. Since not everyone can afford the steeply-priced rare original copy, the best way to own the Gutenberg Bible is to buy a facsimile reproduction from a reputed dealer of rare and antique Bibles.

Original Source: http://gutenberg-bible.com/the-gutenberg-bible-worlds-most-famous-bible.html

Know All About Wycliffe’s New Testament

No one should be coerced to learn another language to comprehend God’s Word and experience the Bible’s life-transforming power. John Wycliffe, an Oxford professor and a leading theologian of his time, believed this. He was among the few individuals who had read the Latin Bible.

Despite being a scholar who lived a life of privilege, he felt a special empathy for the uneducated and the poor. He challenged the Church princes to face their widespread corruption and hypocrisy and repent. He opined the Church was no longer fit to be the keeper of God’s Word.

Wycliffe proposed a truly revolutionary idea of God’s Word being made available to people in both Latin and English so they can read it in the tongue most known to them. He strongly believed that with God’s Word literally in their hands, individuals would be able to work toward their own salvation without needing any institutional or human intermediary.

This was the basic premise that drove Wycliffe to translate the scriptures into English for the first time. And thus, Wycliffe’s New Testament came into existence.

Wycliffe’s Translation of the Bible

John Wycliffe, together with his followers, translated the “Latin Bible” (Saint Jerome’s Vulgate) into the very first English Bible in the 1380’s. This literal and respectful translation was hand-printed.

Wycliffe was in his room at Queen’s College from August 1380 until 1381’s summer, busy with his Bible translation and an order of Poor Preachers, whom he trusted to take Bible truth to the people.

At Wycliffe’s instigation, two translations were made of the Bible, one more idiomatic than the other. His considerable toil can be understood better by how the Bible became essential in his theories to replace the discredited church authority and to make God’s Word available to every literate person.

This, together with a belief in the efficiency of preaching, paved the way for the creation of the Lollards. Though it’s uncertain to which level Wycliffe was involved in the formation of the Lollards, it’s clear that the Lollards propagated his controversial views.

Wycliffe retired to Lutterworth in 1381. At this time, the Peasants’ Revolt happened due to the labor classes’ discontent. After Simon of Sudbury, Canterbury’s archbishop, was killed in the revolt, William Courtenay took his place.

Courtenay moved against Wycliffe and condemned several of his works at the synod held in May 1382 at Blackfriars, London, and banned all his writings. That year, Wycliffe had his first stroke at Lutterworth. However, he continued writing prolifically until his death in December 1384, triggered by another stroke.

Features of Wycliffe’s New Testament

Wycliffe’s New Testament was hand-written. Consequently, it was extremely challenging to read. Yet, its historical importance couldn’t be ignored as it was the very first English translation of the Bible from Latin.

To make the readers’ job easier, Wycliffe’s 1378 manuscript was reprinted in 1731. It had a modern, user-friendly typeface. Thus, the text was easier to read compared to Wycliffe’s New Testament that was hand-written. However, reprinted edition preserved the Middle-English wordings and spellings of the original 100% faithfully.

If you are planning to buy a facsimile of Wycliffe’s New Testament, it may be wiser to look for the 1731 reprint with the modern English typeface. It’s important to note here that this 1731 publication was a vital milestone in Biblical history and printing history as it was the first printed version of the English translation of God’s Word.

In 1731, a limited number of copies (160) were printed. Today, less than ten of those are known to exist. Perhaps you can imagine how costly each of those copies would be in case they are available for sale. However, a facsimile of the first printed edition of Wycliffe’s New Testament is relatively easier to get and would cost you just a small fraction of the cost of the 1731 printed version.

Wrapping Up

John Wycliffe’s New Testament angered the Church so much that his bones were dug up and burned. All confiscated copies of his work were burned. Those who possessed, copied, or distributed the copies they could manage to hide were imprisoned or burned at stake. But the spark elicited by Wycliffe’s English Bible couldn’t be extinguished.

God’s Word was copied, time and again, and shared from hand to hand. It was read, heard, and spoken by the common people in their own language for the first time in more than 1300 years. Thus, Wycliffe’s New Testament finally returned God’s Word to the simple folk in a language they spoke and understood.

Original Source: http://john-wycliffe.com/know-all-about-wycliffes-new-testament.html

Tips for Buying Facsimiles of Rare Bible Books

Buying a rare and antique Bible book needs you to have deep pockets. You should also have adequate knowledge to distinguish between a fake copy and the original, or else, you could be taken for a ride by unscrupulous elements. However, not everyone may have the money to buy the original copy of a rare Bible book. In such cases, looking for high-quality facsimiles that reproduce the original content without any changes or deletions is worth considering.

In today’s technology-driven age, many people have moved from physical books to electronic devices for most of their reading. But the scenario is different for rare book collectors and even those who buy facsimiles of the original rare Bible books. For these people, the excitement of holding a piece of literary history remains unparalleled. As a result, there’s a high demand for rare and antique bibles and their replicas.

According to some credible sources, the Bible is the world’s best-selling book of all time, having sold almost 5 billion copies to date. Naturally, rare Bible books and their facsimiles find many takers. From the Gutenberg Bible and 1378 Wycliffe New Testament to 1535 Coverdale Bible, 1536 Tyndale New Testament, 1560 Geneva Bible, and more, there’s a lot to choose from when buying facsimiles of rare Bible books. But you need to shop carefully.

Given below are some steps to help you make the most of your investment when buying antique Bibles and their replicas. .

Do Your Homework Regarding What Edition is the Most Valuable

There’s a difference between a Bible being rare and one being a collectible. You can consider “rare” a measure of how easy or difficult it is to get hold of the Bible. But what makes a Bible collectible is a different matter. From who worked on it to its illustrator, binding, where it was printed, or its special features (like notes in the margin, woodcut illustrations, etc.) - everything can make it a collectible. Even the previous owner, especially if the person was a celebrity or someone famous, could make the Bible a collector’s item.

Many people also believe that first editions of a Bible are more valuable. But that isn’t always true. Sometimes, later editions with inadvertent mistakes or additional information or illustrations can be sold at five to ten times (or even more) the price of the first edition. And depending on how valuable the original Bible book is, the demand will rise or fall for its facsimile.

Keep an Eye on the Amount You Pay

The cost of a facsimile usually varies with the original Bible’s value. From the condition of its pages and binding to the special features it has (say, woodcut illustrations), every factor will influence its value. Apart from a Bible book’s physical condition, its content also significantly contributes to its desirability.

Experts handling rare books say that the most valuable pieces are those that altered the course of history or human understanding. Thus, the price of the original Gutenberg Bible (1455) and its facsimile will be a lot more than the English Hexapla (1841) and its facsimile reproduction.

Know the Features to Look For

What features make a Bible book and its replica valuable is something you should know. For instance, when buying a facsimile reproduction of the 1611 King James Bible, you should look for Gothic-style typeface and Jacobean-style spelling.

If buying a facsimile reproduction of the Gutenberg Bible, taking a closer look at its Gothic typeface is a must. It should have a medieval look and be slightly less pointed and compressed than other examples that came to the forefront shortly thereafter.

If buying a facsimile reproduction of the Gutenberg Bible, taking a closer look at its Gothic typeface is a must. It should have a medieval look and be slightly less pointed and compressed than other examples that came to the forefront shortly thereafter.

Why Trust Reliable Dealers of Bible Books

Not every buyer may have the knowledge or an eye to spot the minute differences between the original and its replica. Some may not even know about the features thoroughly, making identifying them an uphill task. That’s why it pays to buy your Bible book replicas from a reliable and reputed dealer of such books to ensure you get your money’s worth.

Wrapping Up

Instead of blindly buying a replica of an original Bible that’s old and rare, you should know the things mentioned above to make an informed buy and avoid being duped. So, go ahead and get your facsimile reproduction of a Bible book that you have been eyeing for quite some time now.

Original Source: http://rare-bibles.com/tips-for-buying-facsimiles-of-rare-bible-books.html

Know All About the Coverdale Bible

William Tyndale’s close friend, Myles Coverdale, translated, compiled, and published the Coverdale Bible in 1535. This was the first printed complete Bible in English. It can be called a ‘translation of a translation’ as it used source texts in Greek and Hebrew, along with translations in Latin and German (including Luther’s Bible).

 As Myles Coverdale was the first individual to print an entire Bible in English, he perpetually secured his place in history. If you want to possess this piece of history but can’t get your hands on the original and rare Coverdale Bible, you can try buying a budget-friendly facsimile.

Publication of the Coverdale Bible

After Tyndale’s New Testament was published in numerous editions in the 1520s and 1530s, many people got used to reading or hearing the Bible in English. As a result, one of the closest friends of Tyndale, Myles Coverdale, translated and published what came to be known as the 1535 Coverdale Bible. It was the first complete Bible in English.

After Tyndale was arrested and awaited execution, it became less perilous to get the Bible translated into English. Yet, the first version of the Coverdale Bible was published abroad. After it went to print in Antwerp (the place of residence of Coverdale) in 1535, two editions were published in London in 1537. One of these was a folio and another quarto.

This was the first time a complete Bible in English was somewhat flatteringly dedicated to the King himself and printed in England openly.

Features of the Coverdale Bible

The 1535 Coverdale Bible contains the New and Old Testaments as well as the Apocrypha. Two columns are used to print the text, which is clearly laid out on the pages. The pages come with a handful of marginal annotations, along with book titles and chapter headings at the top to facilitate navigation.

This volume of the Bible has more than 150 illustrations. Hans Holbein the Younger designed the title page that depicts King Henry VIII as a dominant Reformation monarch and ‘Defender of the Faith.’ The page’s top section has the name of God directly over the King to indicate he received his religious authority directly from God.

Similar to Tyndale, Coverdale coined certain phrases and words, but most haven’t survived well. A surprising feature of the Coverdale Bible is the exclusion of the godly name in the form “Jehovah.” It’s interesting to note here that Tyndale used God’s name more than 20 times in his translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. But the 1535 Coverdale Bible omitted the word “Jehovah” altogether.”

Final Words

Though the Coverdale Bible was quickly superseded by the Great Bible, the former’s historical importance can’t be overlooked. However, its importance didn’t stem from the number of copies it sold or the readers it attracted. Instead, it was because the Coverdale Bible was the first complete Bible translation in modern English.

Bible and the Protestant Reformation

The 15th and early 16th centuries were a time of significant intellectual change throughout Europe. This change directly affected the Bible’s availability in the vernacular language to the average reader. A significant 15th-century development was the printing press, which sped both the transmission of ideas and the production of texts. During the early years of printing, the Latin Bible was pretty popular. But after the Gutenberg Bible was printed in Germany’s Mainz around 1455, more than 90 other editions of the Vulgate, including some that had commentary, originated from presses across Europe.

The leaders of the Protestant Reformation aimed to return to a faith and practice that was more aligned with the Bible’s teachings. According to them, allegiance to a church wasn’t necessary to understand God. Instead, they argued that individual study of scripture was needed. This triggered a surge in the creation of new editions of the Bible. These Bibles printed during the Protestant Reformation were just as vital as the individuals who directed and drove the movement. Given below are some notable Bibles of the era.

The Erasmus Bible

Erasmus of Rotterdam was a renowned scholar of his age. This priest from the Netherlands believed the church needed reforms. He targeted the Vulgate, the Bible’s Latin version, translated in the fourth century, which was widely used during his time.

According to Erasmus, the Vulgate had numerous errors. He found more than 6,000 mistakes himself. Since the New Testament was initially written in Greek, not Latin, he published a New Greek translation by drawing upon multiple sources. Scholars could use his version to compare the church’s Vulgate with the original Greek scripture. Erasmus’s Bible was the first translated version to have editor’s notes regarding the meaning of the text, which proved to be enormously influential for later Protestant translators.

In his New Testament’s preface, Erasmus urged others to carry on his work by translating the word of God into their native languages. Several reformers, including Martin Luther, went ahead to do just what Erasmus had advised. Erasmus’s translated Bible didn’t just serve as the textual foundation for Luther’s German translation (1522). It was also the basis for Bible’s English translation by William Tyndale (1526) and the King James Version (1611).

Luther’s German Translation

As an act of defiance, Martin Luther posted 95 criticisms against the church on the door of a Wittenburg-based church. This is believed to be the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Since he refused to recant what he posted, Luther was taken away to a Wartburg Castle in 1521. During this period, he chose to translate the New Testament into German. He finished the job in eleven weeks. In September 1522, his translation saw the light of day and became popular as Luther’s September Testament.

Luther’s translation consisted of his critical interpretation and explanation of the New Testament. However, Luther found the Old Testament’s translation an uphill task. Personal ill health, wars, and inadequate expertise in Hebrew slowed him down. It took Luther and a diverse team of scholars to translate and publish the whole Old Testament in twelve years. It was released in installments. The Pentateuch, the Bible’s first five books, wasn’t released until 1523.

The Tyndale’s Bible

Emboldened by Erasmus and Luther, work started on a new Bible in England. But like several places in Europe, working to produce a local-language Bible in the British Isles was perilous. This was because the law of the land handed death to anyone found to have an unlicensed possession of scripture.

William Tyndale started work to produce the first English Bible by translating directly from the original Hebrew and Greek. In 1526, Tyndale published his New Testament and followed it up with the Pentateuch (1530). An English adaptation of the Book of Jonah was also published by Tyndale, but his other Old Testament translations never got published. Tyndale’s Bible translation was regarded as such a massive act of dissent that he was strangled to death and then burned at stake.

Tyndale is frequently called the Father of the Protestant Reformation. His work impacted subsequent translators of the Bible significantly as they adopted a great deal of his style and choice of words in their translations, including the KJV (King James Version).

Final Words

The Geneva Bible and the Bishop’s Bible are other notable Bibles published during the Protestant Reformation, if you want to know more about Protestant Reformation, click here. The publication of these and several other Bibles made the church realize that it could no longer suppress the will of God. Thus, God’s word became available in the English language as well as other vernacular languages.

Original Source: https://lifeunited.org/bible-and-the-protestant-reformation/