THE WYCLIFFE NEW TESTAMENT
(1388 version)
£20.00. ISBN 0 7123 4728 3
THE NEW TESTAMENT (1526)
Translated by William Tyndale
£15.00. ISBN 0 7123 4664 3
All who love the Word of God and are interested in its story and impact will welcome this new edition of Wycliffe's Bible, in modern spelling and typeface.
Readers hardly need to be reminded that it was when the whole world seemed devoid of gospel truth that Wycliffe, against much opposition, brought the word of God to the English people in their own language. His vision and his bands of preachers (called Lollards) were the means of bringing many to saving faith. He also laid the foundation for the Reformation, influencing Hus and Luther, and, equally importantly, giving the English some background in the Scriptures and an awareness of the faults of the Catholic church and an independent spirit.
While Wycliffe's translation was from the Latin Vulgate, it has a directness of speech that spoke to the common man. It is a thrill to be able to own this influential version, produced at such cost over 600 years ago.
'Therefore thou, my son, be comforted in grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what things thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, betake thou to faithful men which shall be also able to teach other men. Travail thou as a good knight of Jesus Christ. No man holding knighthood to god, laps himself with worldly needs, that he please to Him to whom he has proved himself.'
The Wycliffe NT forms a companion volume to Tyndale's New Testament, which was printed in 2000. This edition uses Tyndale's original spelling (sometimes very original!). Again an immensely important edition in the amazing story of God's grace in the Reformation. Tyndale's translation was from the Greek, and formed the basis of the AV. In some ways, it surpassed the 1611 Bible that retained some Latinisms to placate the institutional church. Tyndale uses 'congregation' instead of 'church', and 'love' instead of 'charity' in 1 Corinthians 13.
'Thou hast knowen holy Scripture of a chylde, which is able to make the wyse unto health throwe fayth, which ys in Christ Jesu. For all scripture geven by inspiracion of god, is profitable to teache, to improve, to informe, and to instruct in rightewesnes, that the man of god maye be perfet, and prepared unto all good works.'
How God has used these translations! Let us value, use and share the Word of God all we can!
Both books are published by the British Library, but should be obtainable from good bookshops.
Gordon Robertson, Leeds
(In case of difficulty, you can get them from Acorn Christian Books, Leeds, telephone 0113 2758233).
