It is not a lie that the Catholic church HAS A LONG HISTORY as I said earlier of opposing the spread of scriptures. While comforting to Protestants it is completely untrue. In fact, contrary to the mythology of Protestantism, there were multiple vernacular translations of the Bible before Luther and Tyndale. In German there were 18 editions of the complete Bible, 90 editions of the Gospels and the readings for Sundays and Holy Days, and 14 editions of the Psalter before Luther. English was admittedly not so lucky but there were partial translations. The fact is that before the invention of the printing press in the 15th century Bibles were so expensive that few could afford one and those who could were able to read it in Latin. English Catholics produced their own translation in 1582(NT)/1609(OT) which all Catholics were free to read.
That’s the thing, Tyndale did ACTUALLY translate it. Obviously you think this was a wicked thing for him to do since you refuse to denounce those who murdered him. In so doing you show plainly that you consent to their deeds.
As did many other before him. Let us have some honesty here. Tyndale was not condemned for translating the Bible but for mistranslating it. It should be noted that Tyndale's translation was so notorious that even King Henry VIII, after his break with Rome, ordered all copies to be burned. Nor was he condemned by Pope Paul III but by the secular court of Emperor Charles V. But if we are to reject a religion for the burning of heretics will you also condemn Calvin for the burning of Servetus and reject his spiritual heirs?
Protestants don’t have a catechism.
Learn some history:
Luther's Catechism
Of course I could also list innumerable commentaries from which Protestants get their understanding of the Bible.
I never studied a “Protestant ideology”. I only studied the Bible.
Do you want me to believe that you never read a word of Protestant commentary on the Bible or heard a Protestant sermon? If so you would be unique.
“Learn some history: [about Protestant catechism]”
I stand corrected. I have never heard that term in my life applied to anything other than Catholic doctrines, but you are correct that there are apparently many Protestant catechisms. I did not know this, and I acknowledge I was wrong and learned something useful from you.
In general, most Protestant groups with which I am familiar do use commentaries, other books as well as sermons for learning as you mentioned. That is true. What all hold in common is a reliance on the scriptures as the final authority. There is a very broad consensus as to identifying the scriptures which is similar but not exactly the same as what the Catholic church considers canonical (as much as I have been told by those who have argued the Catholic views in the past).
“Nor was he [Tyndale] condemned by Pope Paul III but by the secular court of Emperor Charles V.”
Tyndale was convicted of heresy by an ecclesiastical panel in August, 1536 which turned him over to the secular authority, much as the religious leaders turned Christ over to the Romans to do their dirty work. Tyndale was opposed by religious and governmental leaders in England and the Holy Roman Empire.
“King Henry VIII, after his break with Rome, ordered all copies to be burned.”
Tyndale actually agreed with Rome about divorce, particularly as it applied to the king of England, which earned him little favor with the king. Yet his dying request appears to have been fulfilled when he prayed to God to open the eyes of the king. Tyndale’s translation of the scriptures make up most of text of the Authorized version.
“While comforting to Protestants it is completely untrue [that the Catholic church opposed the spread of scripture]. In fact, contrary to the mythology of Protestantism, there were multiple vernacular translations of the Bible before Luther and Tyndale. In German there were 18 editions of the complete Bible, 90 editions of the Gospels and the readings for Sundays and Holy Days, and 14 editions of the Psalter before Luther. English was admittedly not so lucky but there were partial translations.”
It was largely because of the scripture being translated into other languages that the doctrine and practices of the Church of Rome began to be called into question and Luther gained many followers. The clergy were vehemently opposed to any translation of scripture into English so they could avoid an English movement similar to Luther’s from taking place.
“English Catholics produced their own translation in 1582(NT)/1609(OT) which all Catholics were free to read.”
The Catholic church was forced to make an English translation because of Tyndale’s work. This was a whole generation after Tyndale’s contributions.
“will you also condemn Calvin for the burning of Servetus and reject his spiritual heirs?”
First of all, Calvin had a long, ongoing dispute with Servetus in which Calvin told him “I neither hate you nor despise you; nor do I wish to persecute you; but I would be as hard as iron when I behold you insulting sound doctrine with so great audacity.” Later Servetus wanted to visit Calvin in person but Calvin refused because he knew the matter would escalate and end with Servetus being condemned. Further, Calvin did not burn Servetus at the stake and requested that he be punished as a traitor rather than a heretic; but Calvin’s request was denied. So, no, Calvin did not have him burned.
Thomas More vehemently opposed Tyndale and condemned his translating work. Though More denied the accusations that he tortured those he labeled heretics, he himself admits to imprisoning them. Here is a man still highly regarded by the Catholic church today.
What is more important is that hindsight is 20/20, and we now know from history why freedom of speech and separation of powers is important because we can see clearly what doing otherwise leads to. I do not believe in apostolic succession; so it is not relevant to me whether Calvin was right or wrong historically or even a true believer himself. The apostolic authority I regard is what is preserved in the writings of the apostles. I do not mean that whether Calvin was right or wrong is unimportant but that what I believe is not based on him nor even Tyndale.
“Tyndale was not condemned for translating the Bible but for mistranslating it.”
Tyndale was opposed before he translated. The idea of translating it to English was opposed. But the more important question is, is that what you would like to see today? Would you like to see a worldwide Catholic theocracy with the power to imprison, torture and execute those who dare challenge its doctrine and practices?
Without men like Tyndale and Luther, there still would have been an inevitable revolt against the abuses and hypocrisy in the visible church and government of that era.
The idea of centralized power being a way to insure a continued integrity of practices, beliefs, accuracy of facts has a corollary which we know in hindsight: such centralized power can just as easily insure the continuance and continuity of evil practices and the propagation of lies with little opportunity to correct these things.
The founders of this nation were able to build a coalition of various Christian sects which all agreed on the freedoms of religion, speech, conscience, and associations. This would never have happened without men like Tyndale. Your failure to condemn his murder speaks volumes.