Morgan Forum to examine first English New Testament’s lasting mark on the language

By Mashaun D. Simon March 13, 2026

Mark Rankin, professor of English at James Madison University, will speak on “William Tyndale’s English New Testament and its Influence on the English Language” as Candler School of Theology’s 2026 Morgan Forum keynote lecturer on Thursday, April 2.

Hosted by Candler’s Pitts Theology Library, the Morgan Forum seeks to engage the public in better understanding the long and complex process that resulted in the Bible’s English translation. The event is named for the library’s J. Michael Morgan English Bible & Psalmody Collection, a unique collection made up of more than 5,500 volumes of English Bibles and other related literature that ranges as far back as the 16th century to today. The collection highlights the importance of the English Bible to the church and the world.

This year’s forum centers on “’That the scripture should come to light’: William Tyndale and 500 Years of the English New Testament,” with Rankin’s lecture highlighting the impact of Tyndale’s translation of the English New Testament.

A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Rankin has published widely on English Reformation literature and culture and the history of reading in the early modern era. He was principal investigator for a major National Endowment for the Humanities Scholarly Editions and Translations grant on “The Independent Works of William Tyndale.” His current projects include an edition of William Tyndale’s The Practyse of Prelates, under contract with Catholic University of America Press.

“Dr. Mark Rankin is one of the world’s foremost scholars on William Tyndale,” says Richard M. “Bo” Adams Jr., the Margaret A. Pitts Distinguished Director of Pitts Theology Library and associate professor in the practice of theological bibliography. “As we mark the 500th anniversary of the first printed English New Testament, Dr. Rankin will help us understand the impact William Tyndale has made not only on the text Christians read but the English language as a whole. We look forward to Dr. Rankin exploring how much of our language, including phrases we use in different contexts, are the creation of this one man who rarely receives the credit he is due.”

In addition to Rankin’s lecture, the forum will also feature presentations from the 2025-26 Morgan Fellows. Made up of current students from Candler and Columbia Theological Seminary, where collection donor Michael Morgan served for many years as organist, Morgan Fellows engage in original research on items in the collection. During the forum, they present their findings. Their research will also be published as a digital exhibition on the library’s Digital Collections site.

This year’s Morgan Fellows are:

Ayodele John Alonge, Master in Practical Theology student, Columbia Theological Seminary
Sergio Gabriel Chois, Master of Theological Studies student, Candler School of Theology
Kwon Hosey, Master of Divinity student, Columbia Theological Seminary, and a graduate of Candler’s Master of Theological Studies program
Tina Linne Willoughby, Master of Arts in Religion and Leadership student, Candler School of Theology

“At Pitts, our mission is not only to preserve and collect treasures from the past, but to make sure that new generations are learning from them,” says Adams. “The Morgan Forum continues that work, demonstrating the value of collecting and studying these treasures from the past while continuing the educational endeavors that defined Michael Morgan’s work.”

The 2026 Morgan Forum will be held on campus and via livestream. Advance registration is needed for either option.

Schedule of events

1-2:15 p.m. (Rita Anne Rollins Building, Room 252)

Presentations from the Morgan Fellows

2:15-3:15 p.m. (Candler Atrium)

Reception and gallery exhibition

3:15-4:15 p.m. (Rita Anne Rollins Building, Room 252)

Lecture by Mark Rankin: “William Tyndale’s English New Testament and its Influence on the English Language”

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2026 Morgan Forum

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