William Tyndale
1494-1536
Bible Translator
With a passionate, booming voice William Tyndale cried out at the stake, “Lord! Open the king of England’s eyes." Although William deserved no death, he was condemned by virtue of the emperor’s decree, tied to a stake, strangled and burned. Tyndale exposed God’s truth to the common people of England, translating the Greek bible into English.
William Tyndale was born in Gloucestershire, on the English border of Wales, in 1492. He grew up in the University of Oxford, and was ordained there in 1515. From the University of Oxford he became a student of Magdalen College, and later moved on to Cambridge University. This is probably where he developed his protestant convictions.
Leaving Cambridge University in 1521, William united with a knight from Gloucestershire whose name was Sir John Walsh. There Tyndale was a schoolmaster for Master Walsh’s children. Because the Walsh’s were very hospitable to nobility and clergy alike, William was able to engage in many deep theological discussions around their table. Tyndale was so well learned in God’s matters, that when anyone disagreed with his opinions, he simply showed them the Bible, plainly laid the obvious evidence before them, and confirmed his sayings. After a time, the learned men began to get tired of Tyndale’s reasoning, and secretly held grudges against him in their hearts. William was shocked by the clerics lack of knowledge of scripture, and to one in particular he contested, “If God grant me life, ere many years pass I will see that the boy behind the plow knows more of the scriptures than thou dost!”2
Tyndale’s desire grew to translate the bible into the people’s common language. He accused the clergy of hiding the true meaning of the bible from the people. Taking advantage of the ignorant masses, the clergy sold indulgences, took the money for themselves and became rich. Disgusted, Tyndale preached that we are saved by faith alone, and that God alone can forgive sins.
The priests were enraged. They charged Tyndale with heresy. Besides the fact that it was illegal for Tyndale to translate the bible into English without approval at that time, he was alarmed by the priest’s false accusations.
In 1524, Tyndale fled from England, financially backed by Sir John and Humphrey Monmouth. Here he worked on translating the New Testament directly from Hebrew and Greek texts. The pages of the bible were being printed by a willing man in Cologne (1525), when Tyndale’s adversaries burst into the shop. Providentially, Tyndale had been warned just in time and fled with the unfinished pages of his new testament. A year later the New Testament was printed in Worms.
Cuthbert Tonstal (bishop of London), and Sir Thomas More, not wanting the New Testament to be distributed, speculated how to destroy that “deceitful, misleading translation”. Augustine Packington (merchant), served to be the answer when he arrived at Antwerp. Though he was a friend of Tyndale’s, he did not reveal that to the bishop. Upon hearing that the bishop was willing to buy the New Testaments, Augustine said, “My lord! I can do more in this matter than most merchants that be here, if it be your pleasure; for I know the Dutchmen and strangers that have brought them of Tyndale, and have them here to sell; so that if it be your lordship’s pleasure, I must disburse money to pay for them, or else I cannot have them: and so I will assure you to have every book of them that is printed and unsold.” Thinking he had found the answer of ridding himself of the New Testaments, the bishop replied, “Do your diligence, gentle Master Packington! Get them for me, and I will pay whatsoever they cost; for I intend to burn and destroy them all at Paul’s cross.” Having done this, “the bishop of London had the books, Packington had the thanks, and Tyndale had the money.”1
In 1530, Tyndale completed and published his translation of the Pentateuch. He also published several other papers such as, “The Parable of the Wicked Mammon”, and “The Obedience of a Christian Man”. Thus, English authorities increased their search for Tyndale, wanting to be rid of him.
Now in Antwerp, Tyndale was housed by Thomas Pointz. At dinner one evening, in the spring of 1535, William Tyndale met a student named Henry Philips and became good friends with him. Pointz however did not trust the fellow, saying,”he rings as false as a counterfeit coin.” 2
On May 21, 1535 Tyndale was captured as he was innocently walking to dinner. William, betrayed by his “friend” Philips, was arrested and hauled off to prison for sixteen months; after which, he was condemned and executed as a heretic in 1536.
William Tyndale was selected, as God’s servant, to open the eyes of the common people of England. Though he was persecuted and sought after by many enemies, he persevered and completed the translation of the New Testament, as well as the first five books of the Bible. His work set the course for many others in history. Miles Coverdale finished a whole translation of the Bible based largely on Tyndale’s work. A few months after Tyndale’s death, his stirring cry at the stake was answered. King Henry gave official approval of the Bible and by 1539 every church was obligated to provide copies for its congregations. Who can estimate how the course of England and the whole world was changed by this free access to the light of God’s Word. We are deeply indebted to him for his sacrificial work, and loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:26
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Missions
It is our goal at Christian Life Center to help support the men and women of God and their families who have answered the call of Christ to go into the world and preach the Gospel as Ambassadors for Christ. As a body here at CLC we are dedicated to supporting Missionairies financially as God leads us. This is part of the great commission and we feel honored to join together with others to send the Gospel of Christ to as many people as we can.
Hear from those we support on the mission field
We currently support 50 missionaries around the world.
For more info call the Church Office at 708-398-3234.
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Jim Elliot
1927-1956
Missionary murdered in Ecuador
“I may no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not.”
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose”
Death for nothing? Many people thought it was a tragic waste of a life when Jim Elliot died trying to contact the Aucas. Jim was a very dedicated man who was physically and spiritually ready to go the mission field of Ecuador. His life and death by the Aucas continues to inspire Christians. Yet, how many Christians would risk their life for an opportunity to share the gospel? Jim Elliot, a young modern martyr, gave what he could not keep and gained what he could not lose. His story is told in the movie "The End of the Spear".
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David Livingston
1813-1873
Missionary to Africa
David Livingstone was born at Blantyre, eight miles south of Glasgow, on 19 March 1813. He was born in a single apartment home on the banks of the Clyde River. At the age of ten, like other children of the village, he was put to work in the mills, which took up his whole day from six in the morning and did not release him till about eight at night. Then, with other children employed in the mills, he had to attend night school. Most were so tired after school that they could do little but sleep, but David studied hard and would continue with his lessons far into the night. Every spare moment, in the factory or out, he studied books and nature. As a child his dream was to be a medical missionary to China and spread the word.
When he was twenty-three years old he began medical classes at the Anderson College in Glasgow. He studied at the Anderson College until he was he was far enough advanced in his studies of medicine and theology, and then he applied to the London Missionary Society for service in China and was called to London for an interview. Having been accepted he completed his studies there. When he was about to go to China a war broke out in China so he wasn't able to go. Instead he met Robert Moffat, a missionary to Africa, and Robert convinced him to go to Africa instead of China. He landed in Kuruman and there spent many months in training and he also married Robert Moffats daughter, Mary. David moved around a lot with his young family and settled down many times. In addition to his usual missionary work, Livingstone studied the geology and natural history of the surrounding countryside. But as his family got older he concern for the welfare and education of his family made him decide they must go home to Britain. As he was in Africa he came in contact with the African slave trade and said he was 'so appalled by this terrible trafficking in human life' that he determined to put a stop to it. He said that the cure to slavery was in commerce and Christianity, in that way, and to this end the discovery of such routes became the immediate object of his quest. David saw that Africa's great rivers might prove to be what Livingstone called 'the highway to the interior' and so he explored and trekked them until he became sick and had to abandon the quest for a while.
When his health had come back he took his quest exactly where he had left off. And while exploring the rivers he came in contact with a great waterfall that the natives called, 'the smoke that thunders' and he named the waterfall, "Victoria Falls." Having crossed Africa from west to east, a journey of some 4,300 miles, mostly of foot, he set out by ship for England, reaching home in 1856. Livingstone was the first European to accomplish this amazing feat. Once in London he put together his diaries and published them under the title Missionary Travels; the book was an immediate best seller. After their visit to England, Livingstone and his wife began their last journey together. It was during this adventure that Livingstone faced the severest trial of his life; Mary died in 1862 from a disease related to African fever. After her death Livingstone continued to travel around but Livingstone was often weakened by the African fever. Months rolled by and then years without the outside world knowing where he was. This is when a New York reporter, Henry Morton Stanley, accepted the challenge to "find Livingstone."
On November 10, 1871, Stanley's caravan, loaded with supplies, reached Ujiji, Africa. A thin, frail Livingstone stepped out to meet him as Stanley bowed, took off his hat, and spoke the now famous words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume." Livingstone and Stanley began a friendship and after Livingstone's death it was Stanley who continued with Livingstone's works. David Livingstone died in Africa on April 30, 1873, after a long illness. His body was sent back to England where he was buried in Westminster Abbey
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Jonathan Goforth
1859-1936
Missionary to China
It can truly be said about Jonathan Goforth that he loved God, and served him his entire life.
Jonathan grew up with ten siblings in London, Ontario, where he was born on February 10, 1859. His parents, Francis Goforth and Jane Bates, had immigrated there, after their marriage, from England.
Jonathan's mother made him start reading the Psalms at age five. Soon, he memorized so much no one would listen to him recite it. As a young boy, Jonathan was constantly reading the Bible and had a longing to learn more about God and be one of his children, but it was not until he was eighteen when he finally committed his life to Christ.
Jonathan always had the dream of becoming an accomplished lawyer and politician. He would often practice speeches behind his house and have heated discussions with himself. Until the day when his father-in-law gave him a book to read: The Memoirs of Robert Murray M'Cheyne. This drastically changed his life and through this book God revealed His calling for Jonathan to become a minister. Since that day he became incredibly involved in his church. He taught a Sunday school class and handed out tracks at the door, but he was still unsatisfied and started a Sunday night church service in the rickety, old schoolhouse. He even started family worship every night in his home, which eventually led to his father's salvation. It was not until later when he heard G. L. MacKay preach and give an invitation to become a missionary, did he decide to serve the Lord in China.
Goforth went to Knox College to ready himself for the mission field; college life was not what he expected. Jonathan was cruelly ridiculed and rejected because he was a poor farm boy, and his clothes were considered shabby in comparison with the big city styles. Soon, however his classmates learned and grew to respect this young man who was on fire for the Lord. They admired Jonathan's passion and determination for missions, and when he did not receive a reply form the China Inland Mission, his classmates were the ones who raised the money for him to go to China.
Jonathan met Rosalind Smith, a rich young lady who had been raised in England, at the Toronto Union Mission in 1885. They were married the next year, the same year of Jonathan's graduation. Goforth was ordained by his church with J. Fraser Smith, and in February 1888 the Goforths, and their companion, finally sailed for China. There, they struggled to adapt to the culture and Jonathan had an especially hard time with the Chinese language. Jonathan and Rosalind had eleven children, five of which died as young children or infants. The Goforths had many different techniques of evangelizing; one technique was the "open house" method. Chinese people were interested in their way of life and so, to reach out, the Goforths would give tours through their home. Other missionaries did not approve of this, but the Goforths continued in this practice anyway. They also used the traditional method of plain, old preaching and Jonathan soon became known as the "Flaming Preacher". He would preach to over 25,000 people at a time.
At he break of the century the Boxer Rebellion broke out. The rebellion was to throw all foreigners out of the country; all missionaries had to flee south to escape the country and angry mobs. On their way to the dock, however, they were attacked by a mob and Jonathan was almost beat to death. Nevertheless, with a few more adventures and God's help they escaped.
Jonathan returned as soon as possible the next year and his wife and children joined him in 1902. Five years later Jonathan and Smith took part in a life-changing revival in Korea. Jonathan was enlightened and encouraged by this and his ministries flourished under the influence.
The Goforths became incredibly involved in the ministry and by 1912 eight Chinese pastors had been trained. Just three years later, Jonathan was awarded the Doctorate of Divinity from Knox College.
Sadly enough, Jonathan went completely blind in 1933 and, because of health complications, was forced to return to Canada the next year. Even so, Jonathan did not let his infirmities hinder his work for the Lord. He continued preaching in Canadian churches until the year of his death in 1936, unfortunately his preaching was not accepted in many pulpits.
Jonathan Goforth started learning about God when he was only five years old, and served Him until his death on October 8, 1936. During the forty-six years he was on the mission field he set up thirty-one mission stations, trained sixty-one native Chinese pastors, and converted more than 13,000 Chinese people. It can truly be said about Jonathan Goforth that he loved God, and served him his entire life
