The Mighty Works of God- Reformation Day

Today, we are blessed with an article and a downloadable giveaway for all by Ruth Smith of The Pilgrim Institute! It is our hope that you enjoy reading and learning about the blessings we have which were birthed out of The Reformation. We pray you will be impacted for His Glory!

~Heather

Understanding the Bible in English on the Chain of Christianity is important to a proper understanding of what would come to be known as The Reformation.  So, how do we teach the Bible in English?

Answer by Ruth J. Smith, Pilgrim Institute:

Ruth J. Smith
Pilgrim Institute

To narrow the teaching of the Bible in English link to three main ideas is difficult, but I would propose the following:

1. The Price that was Paid



“Many Americans have little understanding of the price that was paid for us to have the Bible in our hands. It is important for the students to treasure the Bible as the Word of God and to recognize the price that men paid to give us the Bible in English.”1

The history of the Bible in English begins with the earliest light of John Wycliffe’s translation from the Latin. The Roman church of that day did not approve the people having the Scriptures in their hand, but Wycliffe labored for the people of England to have the Word of God in their language. Though his life was threatened, God preserved Wycliffe and his assistants to produce the written word. But first the people had to learn to read. Even without the printing press, the knowledge of the Word spread throughout England. “Historians tell us that if you met two people on the road in England, at least one would have followed the teachings of Wycliffe.”2

“William Tyndale had studied the Word of God. He knew it was very important for each person to read the Bible for himself. He did not think the church leaders should be the only ones who could have a Bible. He declared, ‘If God preserves my life, I will cause a boy that driveth a plow to know more of the Scriptures than the pope.”3 Tyndale dedicated his life to translating the Scriptures, not from the Latin, but from the original languages. For this labor, he paid the ultimate sacrifice, as he was imprisoned and martyred. God, in His wisdom, opened the door for Tyndale’s translation in England. “Within one year, Tyndale’s translation of the Bible was brought to the King. The King said the Bible could be sold in England.”4

Persecution of Bible scholars and teachers under the bloody rule of Queen Mary brought together the men who would produce the Geneva Bible – the Bible of the Pilgrims. Though Queen Mary’s purpose was evil, God meant it for good.

The story goes on with the great price that was paid for the Bible to be in English for all the people. Do we as individuals and families know this story and do we treasure it?

To learn what you can do to preserve liberty in our nation, enjoy this free audio download:

The Character and Destiny of Free Government

Please like Pilgrim Institute on facebook by going here and then clicking like. {And thank you!}

Keep up with Pilgrim Institute! Sign up to receive their e-mail newsletter by going here.

What is necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and keep a nation free? Liberty is a God-given gift to people who choose to honor God's principles of liberty. Armed with an understanding of the proper view of the individual and how God intends for him to be governed, the American Christian can begin to influence the character and destiny of free government by his decisions and habits at home, at work, at church, and in his local community.

{This is an affiliate link.}

 

Continue reading about the importance of the Bible in Engish:

Without the Bible, Truth Will Be Hidden

http://pilgriminstitute.org/blog/2011/11/without-the-bible-truth-will-be-hidden-part-two-of-interview-with-ruth-j-smith/

The History of the Bible Is the History of Liberty

http://pilgriminstitute.org/blog/2011/11/the-history-of-the-bible-is-the-history-of-liberty-interview-with-ruth-j-smith/

Footnotes:

1Ruth J. Smith, The Mighty Works of God: Liberty and Justice for All – Teacher’s Guide, (South Bend: Bradford Press, 2003), page 61

2Ruth J. Smith, The Mighty Works of God: Self Government (South Bend: Bradford Press, 2002), page 44.

3Ibid., page 47.

4Ibid., pages 49-50.

{This blog post does contain affiliate links}