Mightier Than the Sword

Filmed in Germany, Israel, and England, this docudrama explores the impact of William Tyndale's translation of the Bible into English in the 16th century; its subsequent dispersal among the people thanks to the revolutionary technology of Johannes Gutenberg's printing press; and the present-day effort to spread the Good Word by those who sometimes risk their own lives. Backed by maps, drawings, and dramatic re-creations, host Christopher Hawes recounts how the practice of putting Bibles in the hands of ordinary folk started with Tyndale, who was the first to translate the Scripture from Latin (the language of the powerful elite), an action that cost him his life in 1536. In speaking of biblical accuracy, Mightier Than the Sword notes that while the thoughts of Plato and Aristotle were first written in documents 1,200 to 1,400 years after their deaths (and fewer than 50 copies of the originals exist), the New Testament was penned 130 years after Christ died, with more than 24,000 copies in existence. Inspired by what they call the main theme of the Bible—the story of a God deeply in love with Creation—modern-day Tyndales continue their quest to spread the gospel around the globe. Recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)