Tyndale to TikTok: The Bible’s Translation, Distribution, and Impact

A two-day conference to bring together scholars, clergy, and laypeople to learn and reflect critically and imaginatively about the Bible. This conference will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the publication in 1526 of William Tyndale’s translation of the New Testament from Greek into English. Dangerous for him to do, Tyndale’s skilful and courageous work proved to be a watershed moment in the history of the Bible in English. Today, we read the Bible in translation in a range of formats and media – including online: a powerful forum for global distribution and impact, much like the printing press of Tyndale’s times. Tyndale’s vision was that anyone should be able to understand the Bible for themselves in their own language. Tyndale’s effective turns of phrase – “let there be light”, “the spirit is willing”, “signs of the times” – made their way into later translations, especially the King James Version, and thereby into common parlance. This conference will also be an occasion to bring together scholars, clergy, and laypeople to learn and reflect critically and imaginatively about the Bible in general. Special attention will be given to the Bible’s translation, distribution, and impact – past, present, and future. The following will be considered: • William Tyndale’s life, work, and legacy; • Translation: motivations, theories, histories, challenges, and possibilities; • Distribution: formats and media, past and present, by which people encounter the Bible. • Impact: how the Bible is related to the religious, political, and social contexts of its interpreters.