King Henry VIII (1491–1547)

He is best known for having six wives, but he also had a lot to do with the English Bible.

In his younger days Henry violently opposed the Protestant Reformation (which emphasized having the Bible in the people’s own language), and like most Catholic kings, Henry prohibited any Bible except Latin versions.

When he broke England away from the Catholic church, he continued the old ban on English versions.

Poor William Tyndale labored in Europe on an English translation but Henry’s agents tracked him down and had him burned at the stake. Tyndale’s dying prayer was “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes!”

The prayer was answered. As he grew older, Henry became slightly more open to Protestant influences, and he authorized an English version, the Great Bible, published in 1539 (see 188).

The title page of the Great Bible had a picture of the king.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

True Worship that Pleases the Lord

Timothy Keller

A little boy left his toys out and went in to practice the piano, using hymns for his lesson. When his mother called him to pick up his toys, he said, “I ca n’t eat; “I’m singing praise to Jesus.” His mother responded: “There's no use singing God's praises when you're being disobedient.”

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

From Heavenly Greatness to Inexhaustible Love

Timothy Keller

The number of stars is still uncountable by human science, yet God knows them by name (verse 4; cf. Isaiah 40:26). Job speaks of the creation, when “the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:7).

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Gift of Himself

David Jeremiah

Long ago, there ruled a wise and good king in Persia who loved his people and often dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar so he could visit the poor and learn about their hardships.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Healing Time

J. Stephen Lang

1868: On this date a political leader who grew up poor, had no formal education and was illiterate until his wife taught him to read and write, issued Proclamation 179 “granting full pardon and amnesty for the offense of treason against the United States during the late Civil War.”

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A Personal Promise

Charles Stanley

Jesus came to earth with the view of offering you salvation. He wanted you to have a restored relationship with the Father, a relationship that was so close, so intimate, that you would have your special place in the Father’s house (John 14:1–4).