Exhibition Celebrates 500 Years of Tyndale's Defiant Bible Translation

The Atlanta Preservation Center showcases significant Bibles that inspired and were influenced by Tyndale's groundbreaking work.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Atlanta Preservation Center is hosting an exhibition that celebrates the 500th anniversary of William Tyndale's defiant translation of the New Testament into English. The exhibition will showcase the Latin, Greek, and German Bibles that inspired Tyndale, as well as early printings of his English translations and the major English Bibles that have built upon his work over the centuries. The exhibition also explores Tyndale's life, the controversies surrounding his translation, and its lasting impact on the English language.

Why it matters

Tyndale's Bible translation was a theological act of defiance that opened the text of the New Testament to the common reader, challenging the Catholic Church's monopoly on biblical interpretation. This exhibition highlights Tyndale's pivotal role in making the scriptures more accessible and the lasting influence of his work on the English language and the development of Protestant Christianity.

The details

William Tyndale's English translation of the New Testament, first printed in 1526, included phrases that are now deeply embedded in the English language, such as "let not your heart be troubled," "the salt of the earth," and "fight the good fight." More importantly, Tyndale's translation was an act of theological defiance, as he sought to fulfill the vision of his inspiration, Erasmus of Rotterdam, to make "Christ's mysteries published as openly as possible." The exhibition will showcase the source materials Tyndale used, including Latin, Greek, and German Bibles, as well as early printings of his English translations and the major English Bibles that have built upon his work over the centuries.

  • Five hundred years ago, in 1526, Tyndale's English translation of the New Testament was first printed in Germany and smuggled into England.
  • The Atlanta Preservation Center's exhibition celebrating the 500th anniversary of Tyndale's translation will open on March 14, 2026.

The players

William Tyndale

An English scholar and theologian who translated the New Testament and major portions of the Old Testament into English, defying the Catholic Church's monopoly on biblical interpretation.

Erasmus of Rotterdam

A Dutch humanist and theologian whose vision of making "Christ's mysteries published as openly as possible" inspired Tyndale's translation work.

The Atlanta Preservation Center

The organization hosting the exhibition that celebrates the 500th anniversary of Tyndale's groundbreaking Bible translation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Christ wishes His mysteries published as openly as possible.”

— Erasmus of Rotterdam, Theologian

What’s next

The exhibition will be open to the public at the Atlanta Preservation Center from March 14, 2026 onwards. Visitors can register for the waitlist if the event is full.

The takeaway

Tyndale's defiant translation of the Bible into English was a pivotal moment in the history of the English language and the development of Protestant Christianity. This exhibition highlights his lasting influence and the ongoing importance of making religious texts accessible to the common reader.