I don't know much about religious history, but I did want to share some recent thoughts. A few nights ago, I could not sleep, so I got up and came across a show on PBS called "Secrets of the Dead: Battle for the Bible". See http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/previous_seasons/case_bible/index.html. This week's episode was about William Tyndale. He is an Englishman born in 1495 who wrote on many theological topics and even penned a version of the New Testament. He was inspired by Luther and was caught in the middle of the Catholic-Protestant divisions. He was suffocated and burned at the stake in 1535 for trying to publish his bible. His bible eventually became the basis for many later English versions of the bible and affected the development of the English language. He was responsible for the translation of many key phrases such as "Let there be light". He was only one of many who was executed for his belief that men and women should have access in the bible and that the state should not instruct them what to believe. People like him eventually founded the Church of England, and others eventually came to American as Puritans.
There are plenty of people in the Bible to be inspired by...let's say Jesus or Paul for examplel! There are many ordinary people in the Bible as well. When I think of Tyndale, I think he could be any of us. He was merely interested in taking the Bible to the people so they could read it for themselves. You and I are capable of that. Jesus gave His life for us sinners. The young church is full of those who gave their life. Many gave their life at the stake as they protested the church's control over information.
What am I called to do? Just tell others about Jesus. What is the worst that can happen to me? Someone will think I am a radical? Someone won't want to be my friend? Someone will oppose me as I fight to keep God in public life?If that is being burnt at the stake, then let it be!
"It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." - 1 Peter 3:17
David
