The
Tyndale Society Journal
No. 36 Spring 2009
About the Tyndale Society Registered UK Charity Number 1020405 Founded by Professor David Daniell in 1995, five hundred and one years after Tyndale’s birth. The Society’s aim is to spread knowledge of William Tyndale’s work and influence, and to pursue study of the man who gave us our English Bible.
Membership Benefits
• 2 issues of the Tyndale Society Journal a year • Many social events, lectures and conferences • Exclusive behind-the-scenes historical tours • Access to a worldwide community of experts • 50% discount on Reformation. • 25% advertising discount in the Journal
For further information visit: www.tyndale.org or email tyndale.sec@btinternet.com or see inside the back cover of this edition of the Tyndale Society Journal.
Trustees
Mary Clow; Dr Paul Coones; Charlotte Dewhurst; Philip Dickson; Rochelle Givoni; David Green; Revd David Ireson; Dr Guido Latré; Revd Dr Simon Oliver; Dr Barry T. Ryan; Jennifer Sheldon. .
Patrons
His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury; Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Lord Carey of Clifton; Baroness James of Holland Park; Lord Neill of Bladen QC; Prof. Sir Christopher Zeeman, former Principal, Hertford College, Oxford; Mr David Zeidberg.
Advisory Board
Sir Anthony Kenny; Anthony Smith, Emeritus President, Magdalen College; Penelope Lively; Philip Howard; Anne O’Donnell, Catholic University of America; Professor John Day, St Olaf ’s College, Minnesota; Professor Peter Auksi, University of W. Ontario; Dr David Norton, Victoria University, Wellington; Gillian Graham, Emeritus Hon. Secretary.
Other Tyndale Society Publications Reformation
Editor: Professor John N. King, Humanities, English & Religious Studies, e Ohio State University, 164 West 17th Ave (Rm421), Columbus, OH 43210-1370, USA. Phone: 1+614 2926065 fax: 7816 email: king.2@osu.edu Commenced Publication 1996 • 1 issue a year • ISSN: 1357 - 4175
Contents e Tyndale Society Journal ♦ No.36 Spring 2009 Editorial
Submission Guidelines Eunice Burton, Brian Buxton
7 5
Articles
Francis Higman Valerie Offord Bill Cooper Ruth Magnusson Davis Ian Lowell Brian Buxton Valerie Offord
John Calvin (1509-1564) The Vachat Affair That Strange ‘Lost’ Letter Tyndale, the Church and the Doctrine of Antichrist A Hernia for the Pope Two Puzzles: A Pulpit and a Tomb Calvin 2009 Events
8 17 19 27 38 44 49
Event Reports
The English Reformation by the Book 14th Annual Lambeth Lecture - Rupert Sheldrake Renaissance Faces: Van Eyck to Titian The Rivers, Monmouth Two Events in South Gloucestershire Milton Events
52 57 62 64 67 68
John Craig Eunice Burton Eunice Burton Jim Cross David Green Eunice Burton
Letters to the Editor
70
Book Reviews
72 74 76 78 79 82
Anne Richardson Bill Cooper Ralph Werrell Donald Smeeton Brian Buxton Ralph Werrell Mary Clow
1526 New Testament Facsimile Samur Redux Chaucer & the Culture of Dissent City of London Map Soul Sleepers A Daughter’s Love
What are you Reading? David Ireson
The Mind in the Cave & Inside the Neolithic Mind
84
Forthcoming Events April Events:
September Events:
Roland Taylor Conference, Cambridge & Hadleigh 87 Henry VIII exhibition opens, British Library, London 87 15th Annual Lambeth Tyndale Lecture, London
3
Press Gleanings Journal Staff
86
Society Notes Mary Clow
86
Notices
26 37 48 61 69 71
Booklet Offer - Thomas Poyntz 80th Birthday Announcement - David Daniell Is a Tyndale Academic Bursary Possible? Rupert Sheldrake’s ‘Cosmic Evolution’ lecture now available on CD Moreana: Special Offer - 2008 Liverpool Hope University Conference Issue Special Offer - ‘The New Testament 1526 Translated by William Tyndale’
Dates for Your Diary Advertising Rates and Specifications Membership/Subscription Form - USA & Canada Membership/Subscription Form - UK & EU Key Contacts
87 47 88 90 91
Please note that neither the Tyndale Society nor the Editors of this Journal necessarily share the views expressed by contributors. Copyright of all material remains with the contributors.
Guest Editor for Tyndale Society Journal No.37:
Neil Inglis
Drawn by the Let There Be Light Exhibition, Neil joined the Tyndale Society in 1996 and has been a book reviewer for the TSJ for several years. Originally from the UK, Neil works as a translator in Washington DC.
In his spare time he is Associate Editor of The International Literary Quarterly (www.interlitq.org)
We invite your contributions for the next Journal by 15th June 2009 please (see p. 7) Journal Commenced publication 1995 • 2 issues a year • ISSN: 1357-4167 Cover illustrations by Paul Jackson • Cover design by Paul Barron Graphics
4
Editorial
Eunice Burton & Brian Buxton Guest Editors - TSJ Nos. 35 and 36
This editorial, written just after Christmas 2008, brings New Year Greetings from Eunice and Brian to our readers, hoping that 2009 will be a year of peace and prosperity in spite of the many sad events of 2008. One of the highlights of Christmas was the Tyndale Society Carol Service on December 17th at St. Mary Abchurch in the City of London. This church, hidden away in a small yard off King William Street, was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666 to the design of Christopher Wren, and has a painted dome portraying God in glory, worshipped by angels and figures representing Christian virtues: the magnificent reredos was carved by Grinling Gibbons. The late Sir Rowland Whitehead was Churchwarden here and we missed his kindly presence. The traditional service of lessons and carols used Tyndale’s translation where possible, and we were ‘marvellously glad’ with the Wise Men when the star directed them to the infant Christ. Some of the lessons were read by society members 2008 Carol Service, St. Mary Abchurch from the USA, thus strengthening the links between the two groups: the music was led by singers from the English Chamber Choir, our talented and faithful supporters. Do endeavour to join us next year! In the evening Mary Clow provided another very enjoyable Christmas Party, with the ‘surprise guest’ being Brian Edwards, who was interviewed by Clive Anderson. Brian Edwards is soon to publish Travel with William Tyndale in the Day One Series. Eunice and Brian relinquish the Joint Editorship with this Journal, and the next Guest Editor will be Neil Inglis of Washington DC, USA. This will further the connections with our ‘Sister Society’, so please support Neil with articles and reports, as you have previous editors - for which we thank you.
5
Society members from both sides of the Atlantic congregate for the annual Christmas Party in Notting Hill
Of the various anniversaries occurring now, two are of interest to us – John Milton was born on 9th December 1608 and John Calvin on 10th July 1509. There is therefore an Events Report relating to Milton’s incomparable poems, and Professor Francis Higman’s article on the life and theology of Calvin shows how his concept of individual responsibility is still impacting on us today after five centuries. Valerie Offord in The Vachat Affair reveals a liberal side to Calvin’s character (regarding suicide) which many would not have suspected, and also informs us of some of the celebrations planned for 2009. Other articles raise interest – Bill Cooper on That Strange Lost Letter of Paul to the Laodiceans, R. Magnusson Davis on Tyndale, the Church and the Doctrine of the Anti-Christ, and Ian Lowell on A Hernia for the Pope (from the artist Jörg Ratgeb). The Lambeth Tyndale Lecture given by Rupert Sheldrake on 24th September 2008 was as ‘mind-blowing’ as the title suggests (Cosmic Evolution and Continual Creativity). Professor John Craig has summarised the lecture entitled The English Reformation by the Book 1536-1642 which he gave at Hertford College, on 23rd October 2008, which is a small compensation for those unable to attend. Other events reported include Renaissance Faces at the
6
National Gallery, London, when family life was emphasised, and this is confirmed in Mary Clow’s book review A Daughter’s Love : Thomas and Margaret More. Tyndale events in Gloucestershire are reported by David Green, and in Monmouth by Jim Cross. Book reviews cover the 1526 New Testament Facsimile, Chaucer and Dissent, Soul Sleep, Adam’s Sin (Saumur Redux) and a map of the City of London five hundred years ago. David Ireson’s What are you reading? on Inside the Neolithic Mind raises ideas comparable to Rupert Sheldrake’s innovative lecture. Finally, please consult Notices and Dates for Your Diary. The April Conference on Roland Taylor and the East Anglian Martyrs (see flyer) promises to be full of interest and a very suitable prelude to Holy Week. So Eunice and Brian hope we may all be blessed as we contemplate ‘Sacrifice’ at the Easter Season, in the sure and certain hope of a Joyful Resurrection.
Submission Guidelines
Tyndale Society Journal No. 37 Guest Editor: Neil Inglis
Please send all article submissions (via email where possible) to Neil at: tyndale.sec@btinternet.com
Articles may be supplied either via Word Document, or as plain text in the message body of your email. Alternatively, we can accept typewritten copy (for scanning in) or clear, hand-written copy submissions. Artwork and photographs may be supplied electronically either via email or on CD-R (minimum resolution for all digital images: 300dpi). Alternatively, these can be supplied in hard copy form, for scanning.
All type-written/hand-written copy, digital artwork on CD-R/hard copy artwork for scanning should be sent to: K Wortley, Tyndale Society Journal No.37 Barnyard, Purdy Street, Salthouse, Norfolk, NR25 7XA Deadline for submission of articles to the next issue: 15th June 2009
7
Press Gleanings Tyndale: The Economist’s Christmas Hero Two years ago it was The Spectator Christmas edition which featured William Tyndale. For Christmas 2008 Tyndale was the choice of The Economist. In an article by an unidentified author, and headed A hero for the information age, readers were reminded of how so much of what Tyndale achieved was only made possible by the economic scene of his time. Questioning whether Tyndale should be regarded as a national hero, the author suggests that he could be understood in purely national terms. ‘In fact what made Tyndale’s achievement possible was the burgeoning of international trade in goods, ideas and technology, as a counterweight to national tyranny.’ It was the support of the merchant class engaged in trade between England and the Continent, and within the Continent, and the advances in book publishing brought about by printing, which allowed Tyndale to make his unique contribution. The article raised some interesting thoughts as it progressed – was Tyndale perhaps a hyperactive genius? Can parallels be drawn between Henry VIII and Stalin? Was Tyndale’s arrest ‘the first ghastly example of a pan-European arrest warrant, made possible by an early version of Europol and the Lisbon treaty’ ? The author suggested that ‘Tyndale buffs are still regrettably few on the ground’. Tyndale Society members will hope that articles such as this may encourage more interest in William Tyndale. A number of readers of The Economist gave their own reactions to the article through the magazine’s website and most of these reactions were positive. –––––––––––––––––––– ♦ ––––––––––––––––––––
Society Notes
Compiled by Mary Clow
Triumphant Milestone: David Daniell celebrates his 80th birthday on February 17th (see p.37). As Founder of the Society and now Chairman Emeritus, he continues to follow our activities closely, although for health reasons not able to take part. In 2008 he wrote the Introduction to the British Library’s Facsimile of Tyndale’s 1526 NT translation (see TSJNo.35 for our reprint of this Introduction, and p.72 of this current issue for Dr W. Cooper’s review). We were all overjoyed to read Professor Daniell’s sparkling commentary
86
on a work he is supremely qualified to present. (Members wishing to congratulate David may to do so via the Society, and to appreciate that though immensely grateful, he is not able to answer individually). Bookworm: Don Smeeton (see review p.76 ) was elected President of the Association of Christian Librarians (ACL) in June 2008. ACL exists to empower evangelical librarians through professional development, scholarship, and spiritual encouragement for service in higher education. It holds an annual conference and has about 600 members, mostly in the US and Canada. It publishes a journal, The Christian Librarian, and produces an index, CPI, available both in print and as a database from EBSCO (www.acl.org). Fighting back: David Ireson (see book report p.84) was invited to Canfield School, Dorset, UK to give a talk about Tyndale to VI Formers studying Tudor history. He reports that the boys were really interested and eager to take an active part responding to his presentation. It seems that Richard Dawkins’ notorious promotion of atheism has provoked an increase in students opting for Theology. . .God moves in mysterious ways, once again. Since then, David has undergone surgery for prostate cancer and is not allowed to drive for 6 weeks - imposing a rare sabbatical. We all wish him - ‘Get well soon’. –––––––––––––––––––– ♦ ––––––––––––––––––––
Dates for Your Diary 2009 ursday 2nd to Saturday 4th April, 2009 Rowland Taylor & Martyrs of East Anglia - Jesus College Cambridge & Hadleigh Keynote Speaker: Prof. John Craig (further details see enclosed booking form). ♦
Sunday 3rd May, 3pm Merton Priory Annual Service of Nones - (friendsofmertonpri@aol.com) ♦
Wednesday 23rd September, 6-8pm 15th Annual Lambeth Tyndale Lecture - Lambeth Palace, London HG Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the UK Coptic Church: ‘The Place of the Scriptures in the Coptic Church’ . The Coptic church, founded by St Mark, is the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East. It is a living, growing church world wide, closely based on the Bible - which of course is the connection with the Tyndale Society. (Further details see enclosed flyer). ♦
87
The Ty nda l e So c i et y ( US /Can )
_
New US Membership Applications 2009-10 Please complete & return to: The Tyndale Society (USA), PO Box 643, Unionville, PA19375, USA
Member Name: ______________________________________________
Member Address: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________
Town: _____________________________________________________ State:
_____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________
Zip Code:
_________________________________________________
Telephone Number: __________________________________________
Email Address: ______________________________________________ Please select your chosen membership category:
驶BASIC始 MEMBERSHIP
with bi-annual Tyndale Society Journal (US Dollars) $45 PER YEAR
OR
驶SCHOLARLY始 MEMBERSHIP
(plus annual Reformation) (US Dollars) $90.00 PER YEAR (please circle one of the above options, as appropriate)
I enclose my check payment in the sum of: (US Dollars) $_____________
SIGNED: ___________________________________
DATE: __/__/__
Joining the Tyndale Society Frequently Asked Questions: What is the Tyndale Society? The Tyndale Society is a registered charity which exists to tell people about William Tyndale’s great work and influence, and to stimulate study of the man who gave us our English Bible. Who can be a Member? Membership of the Tyndale Society is open to all who share an interest in the life and work of William Tyndale. Where are Members based? Our membership is worldwide, with a large proportion of members based in the UK and the USA and some as far afield as Japan and Australia. What are the categories of Membership? Individual Membership (£22.50/$45 per year) Reformation Membership (£45.00/$90 per year) What will I receive if I join? All members receive: Two issues of the Tyndale Society Journal per year Regular invitations to conferences, lectures and social events Invitations to tour historical sites not generally open to the public 25% Discount on advertising in the Tyndale Society Journal In addition, Reformation (US ‘Scholarly’) Members receive: One issue of Reformation per year (representing a 50% discount) What Payment Methods are Accepted? Standing order, Cheque payment in £ (GBP) or $ (US Dollars) Cash (if you join the Society at a membership event) So how do I apply to become a Member? Fill in the form opposite or overleaf (depending on country) and send it to: UK/EUR/ROW: Karen Wortley, Membership Secretary, The Tyndale Society, Barnyard, Purdy Street, Salthouse, NR25 7XA. US/CAN ONLY: The Tyndale Society (USA), PO Box 643, Unionville, PA 19375, USA email: tyndale.sec@btinternet.com
_
T h e T y n da le S o c ie t y ( U K / E U)
New UK Membership Applications 2009-10
Please complete & return to: K Wortley, Membership Secretary, The Tyndale Society, Barnyard, Purdy St., Salthouse, NR25 7XA
Member Name: _______________________________________________ Member Address: _____________________________________________ Town: ______________________________________________________ County: _____________________________________________________ Post Code: __________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ___________________________________________ Email Address: _______________________________________________ Standing Order Mandate To: The Branch Manager Bank/Building Society Name: ____________________________ Branch Address: ____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Post Code: ________________________________________________ Name of Account Holder: _____________________________________ Account No: _______________________ Sort Code: _ _ / _ _ / _ _ Please pay: The Tyndale Society, National Westminster Bank, Branch Sort Code: 60-70-03 Account No: 86110683
EITHER £22.50 PER YEAR (For Single Membership) OR £45.00 PER YEAR (Membership including Reformation) OR £60.00 PER YEAR (For Friend Membership) (please delete two of the above, as appropriate)
Amount in words: ____________________________________ Commencing on: ________________________(Date/Month/Year) And Continuing every year on the same date until Further Notice (cancelling any previous instructions regarding this payee)
I am a UK taxpayer intending tax to be reclaimed under the Gift Aid scheme for Charity No. 1020405 (delete if necessary)
MEMBER SIGNATURE: ________________________ DATE: __/__/__ Alternatively, I attach my cheque payment in the sum of: _______________
Tyndale Society OďŹƒcers: Chairman Emeritus Chairman Vice-Chair USA Treasurer Secretary to the Trustees Membership Secretary
Professor David Daniell
Mary Clow, maryclow@aol.com
Dr Barry T. Ryan, drbarrytryan@aol.com
Philip Dickson, philip.dickson@hertford.ox.ac.uk Rochelle Givoni, Rochelle.Givoni@ctl.com
Karen Wortley, tyndale.sec@btinternet.com
Key Contacts for Members and Friends: Membership/Subscription Worldwide Tyndale Society, Hertford College, Catte Street, Oxford OX1 3BW, UK email: tyndale.sec@btinternet.com Phone: +44 (0)207 221 0303 USA Tyndale Society, PO BOX 643, Unionville, PA19375 email: (subject: Tyndale Society): SatTeacher@aol.com Phone: +1 610 869 9087 European Representative Mrs Valerie Offord email: valerie.offord@bluewin.ch
UK Contact Mrs Priscilla Frost, 27 Ditchley Road, Charlbury, Oxon. OX7 3QS, UK. email: info@oxconf.co.uk Phone: +44 (0) 1608 811818. Fax: +44 (0) 1608 819010,
Administration Mrs Gillian Guest, email: PMG7515@aol.com
Publications Committee Brian Johnson, email: brian_rosalind@yahoo.co.uk
Ploughboy Group Revd. David Ireson, 50 Camperdown Terrace, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1EQ email: decuman@hotmail.co.uk Phone: +44 (0) 1395 263307 Webmaster Dr Deborah Pollard, email: d.e.pollard@qmul.ac.uk, www.tyndale.org
ISSN: 1357-4167