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

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.

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.

"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.

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.