I Am N: Inspiring Stories of Christians Facing Islamic Extremists by The Voice of the Martyrs, Audiobook Review

 I Am N: Inspiring Stories of Christians Facing Islamic Extremists (2016, audiobook 6 Hours 12 minutes) by The Voice of the Martyrs

Most Christians in Borneo - Sarawak and Sabah - are very comfortable. We are too relaxed and have no sense of urgency. Lukewarm, soft, and dying. We tend to forget that Christian persecution is a very real thing for many people throughout the world, even our brothers and sisters in peninsular Malaysia. It's easy to get comfortable in a place that has fairly freedom of religion and little social stigma for believing in the Lord Jesus. We experience some persecution, yes, but it's nothing compared to others in closed countries. Read books, reports, stories, and videos about Christian martyrs and missions - and God's Word daily - to be awakened from spiritual sleep and ignite the passion to share the Gospel with the lost souls.

"I Am N" by VOM is one of the books that I recommend you to read and reflect on (if you're interested to read an ebook and listen to the audiobook, please let me know). What does "N" stands for? In northern Iraq, radical Muslims (ISIS) spray-painted the Arabic letter ن or “N,” on the homes and businesses of Christians. "N" represents the followers of Jesus of "N"azareth. They were then publicly exposed as Jesus-followers and offered the option to become Muslims a.k.a. convert to Islam, leave their home, or die. Over 100,000 brave believers left with little more than the clothing on their backs because they would not compromise their faith. This book is therefore a compilation of real stories of "N" around the world. You'll read about the stories of sacrifice, courage, joy, perseverance, forgiveness, and faithfulness. You may (as I do) get angry, sad, and mad at first, and then filled with joy, love, gratitude, and compassion, and be moved to pray. It's bitter and sweet.

We need to recognize these persecuted followers of Jesus as our brothers and sisters in the family of God and embrace them in that intimate unity: “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:3). We will not be silenced. Write up, speak up, and pray up!

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #PersecutedChurch #Discipleship #JesusTheLord #FamilyOfGod #TheVoiceOfTheMartyrs #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Night (1958, 2006) by Elie Wiesel, Book Review

Have you read Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning (1946) or Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl (1947)? If you have, then Night will be a good read too. It's a good read because it shows the level of human depravity and the sacredness of life. When Elie was a teenager, he and his family were taken from their home to one of the most horrible places in the memories of Jewish history, the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp. The Holocaust. Nazi Genocide. Mass murder. Infants are being tossed into the furnace. "It is obvious that the war which Hitler and his accomplices waged was not only against Jewish men, women, and children," writes Elie, "but also against Jewish religion, Jewish culture, Jewish tradition, and therefore Jewish memory."

Night is both a fascinating read into the human psychology and theology of suffering but also a horrifying read (especially if you can somewhat imagine what you read) into the face of evil and devilish ideological systems. "Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky. Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes. Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never." But then again, it is a story—or a memoir—of hope and faith too. Read it!

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #TheHolocaust #HolocaustSurvivor #ElieWiesel #Suffering #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

Perhaps you're interested to read my short summary review of Victor Frankl's Man’s Search for Meaning, CLICK HERE

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Secret Believers: What Happens When Muslims Turn To Christ? (2007) by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen, Book Review

My first introduction to the late Andrew van der Bijl or better known as Brother Andrew (1982-2022) was through his life-changing autobiography, God’s Smuggler. If you haven’t read it, I suggest you get a copy and read it before you die. In it, he told the story of how he became a Christ follower and was inspired to smuggle Bibles into Communist Eastern Europe to the persecuted underground churches. It was the start of a great adventure. His famous prayer has been my personal prayer too whenever I entered places where I shouldn’t be to share the Gospel with the not-yet-believers: “Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture I want to take to Your children. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see.” After the Iron Curtain collapse in Europe, Brother Andrew began to expand his ministry to Islamic nations, especially aiming at radical Islam. “We cannot win the war on terror with guns and bombs because everyone we kill is replaced by dozens more who seek revenge,” said Andrew, “The only answer is a total, radical commitment to Jesus Christ.”

Secret Believers is the next important book by Brother Andrew - and Al Janssen - in my estimation. Part 1 tells exciting yet terrifying true stories about men and women who are born as Muslims in strict Islamic states in the Middle East who have chosen - or rather, chosen by the living God of the Bible - to be the followers of Jesus Messiah, Lord, and Saviour. They are called Muslim Background Believers (MBB). The inner joy, living faith, glorious grace, inward freedom, and eternal life that they found in Jesus are not without their external costs and consequences. The Scripture clearly says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). The MBB worships Jesus daily, and at the same time suffer persecution daily. The stories of Ahmed, Mustafa (killed), Hassan (killed), Kareem, Abuna, Brutos, Nadira, Salima, Layla (abducted and raped), etc. touched my heart, warmed my soul, challenged my faith, and resolved my mind. I was even moved to tears when I read about their situations. Sometimes my anger would arouse due to the injustice done by their own families, communities, and authorities, inhuman treatments, and killing that were done in the name of God (John 16:2b says, “…the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service”). But how the characters engaged with their challenges remind me of Christ’s love for the lost people. “Don’t curse the darkness but light a candle.”

Part 2 of this book is worth the price. Here Brother Andrew presents some Biblical principles, thoughts, and questions on how to respond to the challenge of Islam. “I believe the story you have just read presents us with four challenges,” explains Andrew, “to love all Muslims by giving them the Good News, to forgive when we’re attacked, to live lives totally committed to Jesus Christ, and to engage in the real war - the spiritual war.” These are very difficult challenges because it is very counter-intuitive to human nature. That’s why we need the grace, faith, and love of Jesus. Only He can create in us a new nature to love our enemies and forgive the way He does. As one of the MBBs said to Al Janssen: “Don’t bring Hollywood; bring Christ. Don’t bring power. Don’t bring just your money. Bring love. Bring the kingdom.” Amen!

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #SecretBelievers #TurnToChrist #TheLoveOfChrist #Evangelism #GoodNews #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Reading Releases a Trapped Mind #LeadersAreReaders December 2022

There was a little girl who was dealt a bad hand in life. When she was one and a half years old, a childhood illness took away her sight and hearing. The poor girl was trapped inside her mind. She hadn't learned to speak, so she uttered gibberish and animal-like sounds. She always went into unprovoked fits of rage, smashing dishes and physically attacking anyone in the room with her. Many doctors diagnosed her as mentally ill. They recommended putting her into an asylum for the rest of her life. But, thankfully, her parents refused.

When she was 7, the family hired a young woman to tutor her. For weeks the tutor tried to communicate with her by spelling words into her hand. She could feel the tutor's fingers on her palm, but the symbols or gestures didn't have any meaning to her. She was still trapped... Then one day, she was holding a cup under a gusting water spout. The tutor kept spelling the word W-A-T-E-R into her hand. Suddenly, the little girl understood the letters represented an object! In that flash of recognition, the door to the world flew wide open for her. She ran around the room, grabbing objects at random, begging the tutor to spell the name into her palm. As a grown-up girl years later, she wrote, "Spark after spark of meaning flew from hand to hand." That day and beyond, she was free and no longer trapped inside her mind. She became a voracious learner!

The rest, as any good story has to end, is history. Her name is Helen Keller and her amazing tutor is Anne Sullivan (read Keller's The Story of My Life). Like Keller's breakthrough, reading can help us to break out from our mental prison. Reading - and writing too - has the power to transform us by connecting the dots of information, imagination, and possibilities. At times when we felt trapped inside our minds, unable to understand or express our thoughts and feelings, reading and writing are great ways to a breakthrough. Victor Hugo once said: "To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark" ✨

#ServeToLead #ReadersAreReaders #FreeYourMind #ThePowerOfReading #HelenKeller #AnneSullivan #Breakthrough #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Tortured for Christ (1967) by Richard Wurmbrand, Book Review

 Tortured for Christ (1967) by Richard Wurmbrand

I've read this book many times, on many occasions in my life, and have written a brief review years ago (in my blog). It still impacted me very much, the privilege of preaching the Word on social media, campuses, and small churches, the comfort (so far) of being a Christ follower in Malaysia, and the freedom to own as many Bibles as I want. God, through Mr. and Mrs. Wurmbrand, reminds me to: "Don't complain, pray"; "Rest is for the hard laborers in the Gospel"; "Win souls for Christ by all God-honoring means"; "Don't ask for persecution but always be ready"; and "The Father is on the move!" When I read the Book of Acts and John Foxe's Book of Martyrs alongside this one, I can hear the Spirit says, "Be strong and courageous" (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1, 1 Chronicle 28:20, 2 Chronicles 32:7, Daniel 10:19, Ephesians 6:10).

Let me share just two short stories from this book: #1 STORY: "A brother* [I suspect that this is the author himself, writing from a third person] was preaching to the other prisoners when the guards suddenly burst in, surprising him halfway through a phrase. They hauled him down the corridor to their 'beating room.' After what seemed an endless beating, they brought him back and threw him - bloody and bruised - on the prison floor. Slowly, he picked his battered body up, painfully straightened his clothing, and said, 'Now, brethren, where did I leave off when I was interrupted?' He continues his Gospel message!"

#2 STORY: "A Christian was sentenced to death. Before being executed, he was allowed to see his wife. His last words to his wife were, 'You must know that I die loving those who kill me. They don't know what they do and my last request of you is to love them, too. Don't have bitterness in your heart because they kill your beloved one. We will meet in heaven.' These words impressed the officer of the secret police who attended the discussion between the two. Afterward, he told me the story in prison, where he had been put for becoming a Christian."

These stories and more. Inspiring and challenging. Good endings, bad endings. But all for the glory of the living God YHWH!

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #RichardWurmbrand #TorturedForChrist #BeStrongAndCourageous #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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The Blind Evangelist Who Sees! (China: Chang Shen) #PersecutedChurch

Before his conversion, Chang Shen had been known as a gambler, womanizer, and thief. When he was stricken blind in midlife, neighbors said it was the judgment of the gods for his evil doings. But everything changed when he heard about Christ for the first time. What happened next?

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps.

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch

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From Shame To Witness (Vietnam: Brother K'Be) #PersecutedChurch

In this story, the police wanted to shame Brother K'Be, but they actually helped to further spread the Gospel message. A believer can be shamed or imprisoned, or even killed. A church building can be closed. A meeting may be disbanded. But the Gospel lives on. When you're under restrictions, would you still find a way to live out your faith?

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps. 

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch 

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The Heavenly Man (2008) by Brother Yun, Audiobook

The Heavenly Man (2008) by Brother Yun

I've been reading with my ears for 9 hours 54 minutes about this amazing autobiography of Liu Zhenying, better known as Brother Yun. The story is very inspiring, challenging, and convincing. I admire committed believers in China like Yun, but quietly I pray to God that I don't have to show it with much pain and suffering like them. Not going to review this book. Sorry. I first read this book (physical book) many years ago when I was still working at the GSC Cinema. It's good to be reminded again.

P.s: My time of walking, cycling, cleaning, and cooking has been my activities of gaining knowledge too. Try to learn to listen to an audiobook; it will save you lots of time. I get most of my books from christianaudio.com  

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Extreme Missionary (Irian Jaya: Stanley Albert Dale) #PersecutedChurch

One by one the arrows struck his flesh, and one by one Stanley Albert Dale pulled them out. The blood flowed from his many wounds and onto the riverbank. The screaming Yali warriors feared that the white man was immortal. When the missionary finally died, is he really dead? Are you heading to the same eternity with this faithful man? 

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch 

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Extreme Assassin (Bangladesh: Brother Andrew) #PersecutedChurch

The evangelist, Andrew, stared into the gun, wondering why the man didn't fire. The assassin grew frustrated, then frightened, and finally, he fled from the room. Later he testified that he was offered a big reward to kill the evangelist. Why he didn't pull the trigger? What happened next? #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #PrayForThePersecutedChurch

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps.

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch 

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Extreme 'Riches' (Southeast Asia: Hmong Christians) #PersecutedChurch

A Hmong Christian testified: "They stabbed one believer through the mouth with a long knife and poured boiling water down the throat of another who was caught with a Bible. An entire family had been drowned." Just because they are Christians and owning the Bibles? What comfortable Christians like us can learn from the Hmong tribe believers? #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #PrayForThePersecutedChurch

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps. To learn more about the Hmong Christians Short History, go to https://youtu.be/G3ERhd_gMXk 

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch 

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Extreme Question (Turkey: Ercan Sengul) #PersecutedChurch

When Ercan Sengul committed his life to Jesus Christ in the Muslim nation of Turkey, some saw it as turning his back on his heritage and nation. When he said that he would do anything for God, he had meant it then. But what about now? #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #PrayForThePersecutedChurch

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps.

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch 

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Extreme Smile (Romania: Milan Haimovici) #PersecutedChurch

The cold, dark prison cell was crowded with Romanian Christians who were determined to bring the light of Jesus into the darkness. One of these prisoners was Milan Haimovici. While he was witnessing for Jesus, he was asked, "How can you say that you walk and talk with him?" This was his reply... #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #PrayForThePersecutedChurch

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch 

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps

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Strength for the Storm (first published, 1988) translated by Arthur Reynolds, Book Review

Strength for the Storm (first published, 1988) translated by Arthur Reynolds

This is the subtitle of the book: "Spiritual lessons - from Wang Mingdao, John Sung and other Chinese preachers - which prepared the Church for suffering." Did you catch that? "Prepared the Church for suffering"!? Not to avoid suffering or to philosophized suffering or to think positive about suffering but to prepare, to expect, and to get ready for the imminent coming of suffering to the church. Jesus Christ reminds His followers, "In the world, you shall have tribulation" (John 16:33). Paul told Timothy the cost of following Christ, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). The glorified Christ said to the church of Smyrna, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). It is no doubt, based on Biblical witnesses, that the true Church of God a.k.a. committed Christ-followers WILL suffer persecution in some form and to some degree or another. But I want to warn us about these two things. First, suffering for doing evil or wrong things doesn't count (read 1 Peter 2:20, 3:17). If you're an irresponsible citizen of Malaysia or teach false teachings, then, the suffering you are experiencing is deserving. And secondly, don't fall into a destructive psychological behavior martyr complex (victim complex) where you seek suffering to 'prove' your commitment. There is no room for victim mentality in the people with the mind of Christ.

"By their sturdy faith and indomitable courage the churches in China, like the church of the Thessalonians, have become a pattern for believers beyond their boundaries," writes Arthur Reynolds, who was an OMF missionary in China and Japan in the 30s to 60s. "From the time of the Boxer Rising in 1900, if not much earlier, the Christians in China have learned to live with persecution. No period of testing has proved fiercer, longer-lasting, or more widespread than that which began before mid-century, in which one upheaval followed another. More recently the situation for the Christian community has somewhat eased. But there is still a long way to go." In this dark period of China, the light of the Gospel shine slowly but surely. It all begins with the sovereignty of God and the promise of the Messiah when He said, "On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). It was He who send pioneer missionaries to China from all over the world and through their persevering and sacrificial work, God raised a unique group of Chinese Christian leaders, to whom He gave special gifts of preaching and teaching. Their ministries were to "build up the churches and prepare them to face the fiery trials ahead." The spiritual lessons covered in the book are actually translated sermons by men such as Wang Mingdao (an example of Peter's restoration), John Sung (one of my heroes of faith), Marcus Cheng, David Yang, Wilson Wang, C.K. Cheng, and Min Ruji. Of course, there were many other outstanding men and women of God in the history of Christianity in China. These are just the samples of the faithful men and their message.

What makes these men outstanding? Arthur Reynolds explains: "In my view, it is the combination of three notable features. 1) Their gifts and abilities; 2) Their character and conduct; and 3) Their readiness to endure hardship. In other words, they have exercised a powerful and influential ministry of preaching; they have lived lives of known integrity; and as the consequence of their loyalty, both to the Lord and the Faith, they have experienced hardship, loss, and persecution. They have been refined in the fire." These lessons were written with sweat and blood! I have been encouraged and challenged when I read this book. Their doctrine is Christ-centered, their content is Bible-saturated, and their style is Eastern-sound and heart-warming. My favorite chapters are Unfolding the Gospel (Chp. 1), Exalting the Lord Jesus Christ (Chp. 2), Challenging Young People (Chp. 7) & Encouraging the Downhearted and Troubled (Chp. 8). As I closed this book, I wonder, are we - Christian preachers and teachers in Malaysia, especially in Sarawak - preparing the church for suffering? Have we personally suffered for Christ? Or, are the false gospels of health and wealth, liberalism and pluralism, tolerance and cowardice blinded us from proclaiming the true Gospel of Christ that saved us? The storm is coming… are you ready? #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #1Book1Week #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #StrengthForTheStorm #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain 

Read other related book reviews too:

I Remember John Sung (1976) by William E. Schubert https://legasitv.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-i-remember-john-sung-1976.html

A Biography of John Sung (2004) by Leslie T. Lyall https://legasitv.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-biography-of-john-sung-2004.html 

Sit, Walk, Stand (1957) by Watchman Nee https://legasitv.blogspot.com/2018/08/book-review-sit-walk-stand-1957-by.html 

Watchman Nee, Man of Suffering (1998) by Bob Laurent https://legasitv.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-watchman-nee-man-of.html 

The Coming Chinese Church (2013) by Paul Golf https://legasitv.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-coming-chinese-church-2013-by-paul.html

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Timothy, Work Hard Even at the Point of Suffering - It Is Worth it (1 Timothy 4:10-11)

"This is why we work hard and continue to struggle [or to suffer], for our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them"

(1 Timothy 4:10-11, NLT)

Every bit of suffering Paul the Apostle experienced and all the agony he went through for the sake of "the glorious Good News entrusted to [him] by our blessed God" (1 Timothy 1:11) was worth it because his trust was in the living God who "is the Saviour of all people and particularly of all believers" – and that God is worth trusting and will never let us down. Therefore, "work hard" on yourself and for the Lord! "Thrown ourselves into this venture so totally," said Eugene Peterson, "We're banking on the living God." If you work hard to warn others about apostasy and false teachings (read 1 Timothy 4:1-6) and work hard to "train yourself to be godly" (1 Timothy 4:7), you'll suffer but it will be worth it! Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12 that "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" but it will be worth it! Why? Because if you warn others about their wicked schemes, you'll be hated; and if you be godly in the world where sins are praised, you'll be persecuted. Take heart! Our hope is in the living God, not the imaginary one! It is worth it!

Now, let us come to one of the most controversial verses in the Scripture, "the Saviour of all people." Does Paul teach universalism, that all men will eventually be saved? I say NO because how then could He be the special or particular Saviour "of all believers"? Paul once addressed the Athenians saying that "in [God] we live and move and exist" (Acts 17:28). This text tells me that even the very life and breath of unbelievers who may blaspheme God is a gift from God. Even now God is "saving" them from going to hell and giving them physical life and opportunity to be saved. In a way, God is the Saviour of all people. During Paul's time, the emperor of Rome was called "the Saviour of the world" by reason of the fact that he was the preserver of mankind by his ‘benevolent' reign. Then how much more is our God "the Saviour of all people" in the sense that everything good and gracious comes from His hand, even life itself. However, God is the Saviour "particularly of all believers" in Christ. I like how Life Application Bible Study interprets this verse: "Christ is the Saviour of all, but His salvation becomes effective only for those who trust Him." Amen and hallelujah!

The importance of what Paul has just been saying is emphasized by him when he admonishes Timothy to "teach these things and insist that everyone learn them."  Albert Barnes commentary on 1 Timothy 4:11 notes: "It follows from this, that a minister of the gospel is solemnly bound to teach that there is a sense in which God is the Saviour of all people. He is just as much bound to teach this, as he is that only those will be saved who believe. It is a glorious truth - and it is a thing for which a man should unceasingly give thanks to God that he may go and proclaim that He has provided salvation for all, and is willing that all should come and live." Do it Timothys – it is worth it!

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Should I Review? God's Outlaw, A Life of William Tyndale (1976)

God's Outlaw: Living in Poverty and Constant Fear for His Life
William Tyndale Changed the Course of History (1976)
by Brian H. Edward

The best (but old) book about the life of William Tyndale, English reformer, first scholar and translator who translated Greek New Testament to English Language and die for it. Read it during my personal retreat.

Should I review this book?

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God's Outlaw: The Story of William Tyndale

God’s Outlaw: The Story of William Tyndale (1986)

Who is William Tyndale [1494-1536]? He is the translator of the first English New Testament! Most of the English Bible translations today owe (of course to God the Supreme first) to Tyndale, and thus, to know him is to know the Story of the Bible. This movie (produced in 1986! So, forget about graphic and film quality, just focus on contents ya) set in the colorful and dangerous days of King Henry VIII when men were burned, racked and maimed for lesser crimes than that of smuggling Bibles – especially Martin Luther’s translations – into England. The movie opens with a young child reciting The Lord’s Prayer in English and thus her parents were taken to jailed and killed for teaching their children to pray in English instead of Latin.

Once when someone said to Tyndale, “We are better to be without God’s laws than the Pope’s.” He replied, “I defy the Pope and all his laws. If God spares my life ere many years, I will cause the boy that drives the plow to know more of the scriptures than you!” When Tyndale set out to provide the first printed New Testament in English (based on Erasmus's Greek Bible) he was forced to defy the king, the Roman Catholic pope, and all other authorities. Thomas Moore, his archenemy (but a bit soft in the movie) once said about Tyndale translation: “not worthy to be called Christ's testament, but either Tyndale's own testament or the testament of his master Antichrist."

Compelled to flee from England, he continued with his work of translating the Scriptures while hiding out in several cities in Germany, Holland, and Belgium – always trying to keep a step ahead of the agents who were sent from England to arrest him. For the rest of the story, you got to read Tyndale’s biography. I suggest for a start to read 1) Heroes of Faith: William Tyndale, and 2) God’s Outlaw by Brian Edwards and/or watch this movie. You’ll appreciate your Bible – free-to-own-Bible! – more.

Tyndale was betrayed by his friend Henry Phillips, thus in 1536 he was arrested and was tried and convicted of heresy and treason and put to death by being strangled and burned at the stake. In the movie, his last words before his death were “Lord, open the King of England's eyes.” Just 3 years later Henry VIII published his English ‘Great Bible’ based on Tyndale’s work. His work formed the basis of all subsequent English translations of the Bible, including the King James Version of 1611. William Tyndale wrote: “I perceived how that it was impossible to establish the lay people in any truth except the Scripture were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue.” His dreams came true but not without a cost. So, what it cost you to not read the Bible?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.