Description
Subtitle: The Reformation Thought of Robert Barnes and William Tyndale
From the Author’s Preface:
Until rather recently almost all writers on the relationship between the English and Continental Reformations assumed that Robert Barnes and William Tyndale were key figures in the transmission of Luther’s theology to the British Isles. Most books which dealt with this subject categorically stated that Barnes and Tyndale were Protestant theologians of a basically Lutheran persuasion. In the second half of the 20th century, however, a few scholars have recognized that the traditional view of Barnes and Tyndale had never been adequately documented, and, consequently, they have proposed a reinterpretation that holds that these two reformers, especially Tyndale, were actually Erasmian humanists for whom morality rather than theology was the chief concern. The present writer’s study of the sources has led him to the conclusion that the traditional view in completely vlid with regard to Barnes, and, with some qualifications, generally correct for Tyndale as well. In the case of the latter, it is evident tha the disagreed sharply with Luther on the meaning and importance of the eucharistic presence, and his method of defending infant baptism was quite different from Luther’s. Because of the great important that Luther attached to the Eucharist, and in view of Tyndale’s divergence form that view, it is probably not appropriate to identify Tyndale simply as an “English Lutheran,” as we may confidently do with Barnes. A careful contextual study of the sources has, nevertheless, convinced this author that Tyndale agreed with Luther in almost every area of doctrine except the Lord’s Supper, and that the English reformer very often stated his position in terms which were characteristically Lutheran. It is the purpose of this book to re-examine the traditional interpretation, presenting the evidence for it in a systematic, documented form. The conclusion reached supports the traditional position in general, though with some noteworthy exceptions. Such exceptions notwithstanding, both Barnes and Tyndale were vital links int he chain of Luther’s English connection. The controversial interpretive literature is reviewed herein.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
– The Legacy of Lollardy
– The Methodology of Humanism - The Biographical Background
– Robert Barnes
– William Tyndale - The Question of Authority
– The Nature of the Problem
– Robert Barnes on Authority
– William Tyndale on Authority - The Questions of God and Man
– The Nature of God
– The Nature of Man - The Question of Salvation
– Predestination
– Justification
– The Christian Life
– The Role of the Law int he Christian Life - The Question of the Church
– The Nature of the Church
– Robert Barnes on the Church
– William Tyndale on the Church
– The Sacramental Ministry of the Church - The Question of the State
– Luther’s Legacy
– Robert Barnes on the State
– William Tyndale on the State
Author
James E. McGoldrick (PhD, West Virginia University) is currently Professor of Church History at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He is also Professor Emeritus of History at Cedarville University. Click here to visit his faculty page.
Endorsements
“Credit Dr. McGoldrick with easy-reading, yet scholarly, vignettes on Robert Barnes and William Tyndale. He succeeded in making his way through the political complexitis in England and on the Continent with literary ease. . . The author makes a convincing case . . ., well documents the transnational influence of Luther’s pen and reform. . . .”
– Prof. Arnold J. Koelpin, Professor Emeritus of Religion & History, Martin Luther College (1962-2001)
“A useful and valuable . . . exposition of the theologies of two important English reformers . . . done in a felicity of terminology and expression that makes the writing of these men ring true and clear. . . .”
– Dr. Neelak S. Tjernagel, Author of Martin Luther and the Jewish People, The Lutheran Confessions: A Harmony and Resource Book, and The Reformation Era
