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Questions about The Obedience of a Christian Man

Short answers, pulled from the story.

What is The Obedience of a Christian Man about?

The Obedience of a Christian Man, published in 1528 by William Tyndale, argues that the King of a country is the supreme head of that country's church, not the Pope. It also advocates for the availability of the Bible in English and outlines a scriptural basis for obedience at every level of society, from family to crown.

Who wrote The Obedience of a Christian Man and when was it published?

William Tyndale, an English Protestant author, wrote The Obedience of a Christian Man. It was first printed on the 2nd of October, 1528, by the Antwerp printer Merten de Keyser.

How did The Obedience of a Christian Man influence Henry VIII?

Anne Boleyn gave Henry VIII a copy of Obedience while he was seeking a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and Henry declared it "a book for me and all kings to read." It is believed to have significantly influenced his decision to pass the Act of Supremacy in 1534, making himself Supreme Head of the Church of England.

What happened to William Tyndale after writing The Obedience of a Christian Man?

Tyndale was arrested by Roman Catholic authorities in Antwerp in 1535. Henry VIII's chief minister Thomas Cromwell attempted unsuccessfully to intervene on his behalf. Tyndale was executed for heresy the following year, in 1536.

What does The Obedience of a Christian Man say about the divine right of kings?

Tyndale argued that earthly rulers receive their authority directly from God, and that resistance to royal authority amounts to resistance against God. The Obedience of a Christian Man is considered the first instance in the English language of advocating this principle, which later became known as the divine right of kings.

Why did William Tyndale argue for an English-language Bible in The Obedience of a Christian Man?

Tyndale argued that the church kept ordinary people ignorant of scripture by conducting all services in Latin and discouraging Bible reading. He believed that direct access to scripture in English would allow people to encounter God without priestly intermediaries, and that the church withheld translation specifically to conceal how church doctrine diverged from the biblical text.