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Fire in the Bones: William Tyndale--Martyr, Father of the English Bible

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William Tyndale is widely regarded as the "Father of the English Bible." Before his time, the Bible was only available in Latin. Common folk were not expected to understand the word of God. They were expected to get all their scriptural knowledge directly from the Church, who would them tell them what it meant. Seeking to know for themselves was heresy. Tyndale thought such practices were contrary to the will of God. He sought to make the Bible available to the common man in his own tongue--English.

It's hard to believe today, with the number of translations of the Bible out there, that at one time having a copy of the Bible in English would mean your death. The book opens with several people being burned at the stake for having a few verses in English. Sadly, it ends more or less with the death of Tyndale. But he had begun something that couldn't be stopped. Just a few years after his death, The Great Bible was in every parish in England--and it was in English. He was a man that filled a unique mission on earth.

This book will really make you appreciate how fortunate we are to be able to have the word of God.

"Fire in the Bones" was so gripping, I had trouble putting it down, and could think of nothing else as I read it. It is the true story of William Tyndale, father of the English Bible.

In 1523 Tyndale told a critic high in the Catholic church, "If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the scripture than thou dost." Three centuries later, a fourteen-year-old plowboy in New York knelt in prayer after reflecting on the testimony of James -a testimony translated from Greek to English by William Tyndale.

During the Protestant Reformation, while Martin Luther was pushing for reform in Germany, Tyndale was translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into English --for which he was ultimately burned at the stake. To translate and print the Bible in English, Tyndale left his home in England, and went into self-imposed exile in Antwerp, Belgium where there was more religious freedom and he was less likely to be burned as a heretic. His first translation of the New Testament was smuggled into England in 1526. Those who were brave enough to buy it and read it were often burned alive, along with the book.

The Catholic church wanted to maintain control of the populace and continue to receive the money it extracted from the worshippers as penance for their sins. As people gained access to the scriptures in a language they could understand, they became aware that the New Testament taught that faith in Jesus Christ saved men, rather than sums paid to the priests ("sale of indulgences" etc). This undermined Catholic authority, and ultimately led to the Protestant Reformation and greater light and knowledge spreading throughout England.

"Fire in the Bones" chronicles how Tyndale accomplished the amazing feat of making the Bible available to the common Englishman in spite of powerful forces against him, including King Henry VIII, Sir Thomas More, and many others who prided themselves on burning "heretics" like him. His story is told by an LDS author who likens Tyndale to Joseph Smith. God had a work for him to do, and he was determined to do it regardless of the personal cost. His understanding of the gospel was sweet and pure, much like Joseph's. They are indeed kindred spirits.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! I am dismayed that I was unaware of this hero of the faith until now.

Michael Wilcox provides a stunning introduction to the life and sacrifices made by Tyndale (and others) in order to bring the Bible to the people. I enjoyed how Wilcox looks at history through the lens of faith and found it refreshing to find a historian who was not afraid to place Tyndale and his efforts in the context of his own belief. This book should be read by any who desire to better understand the miraculous history and impact of the Bible, as well as build bridges of understanding between Christian faiths both reformed and restored.

Informative Yet Concise. Not too overloaded with the minutia so it keeps you reading. I was recommended this book by someone and, although it was hard to read at times when you learn about the suffering of many of the reformers, it helps me appreciate the bible so much more and the people who sacrificed themselves to make sure we have it. I don't care that it is written by an LDS author. He does a good job extracting the details from Foxe and other historical authors. It's reading book's like this that really help you put your life into perspective. Wow.

William Tyndale spent his life translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into English so that common people could rejoice in the scriptures as they studied them for themselves. Even though Luther had already translated the Bible into German, the English priests and political authorities were dead set against the heresy that the scriptures should be a matter of private study. They were certainly correct that such study would lead to a diversity of opinions. However, one has to wonder of a uniformity born of ignorance isn't an awfully high price to pay. Some would counter that the scriptures without a proper context do not lead to interpretation so much as a misunderstanding flowing from mistaken notions.

In any case, this book is focused on providing the story of Tyndale's work and life to Latter-day Saints. The author often compares the purpose and life of its subject with the life and work of Joseph Smith. There are many parallels. Both wanted to know God's will. Both were deep students of scripture. Tyndale translated the New Testament and the Pentateuch and a few other books of the Old Testament before he was strangled and then burned at the stake. Joseph translated the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price (portions) by the gift and power of God, was given many of the revelations that are in the Doctrine and Covenants before he was assassinated by a mob in 1844.

It is an interesting and instructive comparison. The author also notes the importance of reformation as preparation for the restoration accomplished through Joseph Smith. This is a good basic book to get a grounding in these topics. However, there is a lot to be gained from further study. The way Thomas More is treated in this book is rather simplistic; I guess the author needed a heavy. And the resistance of the Catholic Church to private ownership of scripture is not given its due. Of course, from the present day even the Catholic Church promotes individual scripture study. It is important to note that the heresy and falling away from the orthodox teachings the priests feared did in fact come to pass.

Latter-day Saints will be able to relate to Tyndale better because of the parallels to the life of Joseph Smith. Others will be able to learn about Tyndale and his huge contributions to the English language and also about the contributions of Joseph Smith in the nineteenth Century and the scripture brought forth during his ministry. Both sought to serve God, both were lauded and persecuted during their brief lives, both were murdered for their faith.

wilcox is not a historian; he's a hobbyist. this isn't necessarily bad, but in this case, he has produced a book that sounds more like an institute class or an extended fireside than a biography. the work is poorly researched. wilcox apparently didn't look up any primary sources and when he does quote them, he quotes them through another source. the author misunderstands much about the period which makes for both major and minor errors in interpretation. the main reformation participants are painted black and white rather than showing any nuance. sir thomas more is evil; tyndale is a saint. the constant comparisons to joseph smith are distracting and often misleading. tyndale was a great man, but he wasn't a prophet or a mormon.

i applaud the effort to present william tyndale to an lds audience, but i think it could have been much more accurately and effectively done. if you want to learn more about tyndale and his translation of the bible, try david daniell's 1994 biography.

This book tells the story of William Tyndale, how he is responsible for most of the English Bible. It made me appreciate the bible so much more, and how many people died to pave the way for religious freedom in the US.

When speaking to an unlearned pastor, Mr. Tyndale said: "... ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the scripture than thou dost." Three hundred years later, a 14 year old ploughboy in Palmyra, New York went into a grove of trees to pray, inspired by the testimony of James. Words translated into English by William Tyndale.

Great book to bring the reality of the difficulties faced by Tyndale in bringing the Bible to the common man to light. Excellent work!

Author S. Michael Wilcox Weaves a skillful path through the history of the life of William Tyndale; how he was affected by the politics and religion of the 1500's in Europe and England during the beginnings of the reformation; and his burning desire to see that even a boy behind the plough might be able to read the scriptures. Although the Bible had been translated into many languages, it was forbidden by law to be translated into English; and many had paid the ultimate price for attempting it. The Coventry 6 who taught their own children "The Lord's Prayer" in English were condemned by the forced recitations of their children and were burned. William Tyndale made it possible for you to read the scriptures anytime you want to. S Michael Wilcox links this gripping drama in short easily readable, documented vignettes that make you appreciate the fire in Tyndale's bones. After reading it, I bought three copies to give to friends. Don't miss this one.

This is not a bad history. Wilcox obviously has talent, and is a fine craftsman. Unfortunately, he loses aim and in doing so, shoots his own foot. This is one of those unfortunate books that is almost great, but... not. In his defense, Wilcox covers the major elements of Tyndale's life and often explores the heart of the translator which he does skillfully. And this alone kept me from returning the book out of pure annoyance. But however lucid and accurate Wilcox was, he spoiled it by continually comparing the life of William Tyndale with Joseph Smith. However important I thought this book might have or could have been, Wilcox deflated it with these forced and ill-fitting comparisons. I don't respond well to stealth evangelism, and neither does the book. Joseph Smith? For the Mormon audience I'm sure Wilcox will get that delicious applause, a lot of warm head nods, and the occasional Amen. Just give me the history I paid for. Not this.