Christian leaders commemorate 500th anniversary of Tyndale’s New Testament

Christian leaders from various denominations, including Anglican, Catholic, Pentecostal, and nonconformist traditions, gathered on October 8 at St. Dunstan-in-the-West Church in London. The event marked the 500th anniversary of the 1526 publication of William Tyndale’s English New Testament, the first printed version translated directly from the original Greek.

Hosted by the Bible Society, the event served as a platform for leaders to reflect on Tyndale’s historical impact and affirm a shared commitment to Scripture. Paul Williams, CEO of the Bible Society, described the gathering as an opportunity to celebrate a foundational figure of the faith and discuss how the Bible can foster unity despite deep theological and social differences.

Participants engaged in reflections regarding the role of the Bible in modern mission, discipleship, and conflict resolution. Organizers expressed hope that the commemoration would encourage a renewed global movement of Bible engagement, noting a perceived increase in openness to the Christian faith among younger generations in the United Kingdom.