Memories from Tyndale House

To mark the 80th anniversary of Tyndale House, we are sharing some reflections and memories from people who have lived or studied here over the years. 

Dr Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, AZ - Past President, Evangelical Theological Society

I wrote my PhD dissertation at Tyndale House and have returned for research and writing on other books over the years. Every time I begin working there, I sense an excitement of once again being back in this ‘scholar’s heaven’. I thank God for this wonderful treasure that he has entrusted to the evangelical world, and for the faithful and visionary leadership of its excellent staff.

Professor Don Carson, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

It is difficult to imagine any place in the entire world more conducive to serious biblical research and writing than Tyndale House.

The Rev Dr Jonathan Holmes, Life Fellow of Queens College

...The real joy of the place, however, was the fellowship among residents who were a mix of theologians and visiting scholars and ordinary graduate and undergraduate students.

Mr Bartow and Mrs Marianne Wylie, residents at Tyndale House in the 1970s

For us as a couple, Tyndale has memories of great variety.

Marianne was a Tyndale au pair from 1970 – 1971, during which time we got to know each other, eventually leading to our marriage in 1974. From late 1971 - 1973, Bartow lived in a room above the library as a student, Christian but not theological. During that time the Sunday tea parties to which Colin Hemer invited his fascinating international guests became a fledgling international Bible study. Colin (and the warden, Derek Kidner) agreed to Bartow and other CICCU undergraduates starting to invite others, mostly students at language schools in the city, but also other international friends we made along the way. This regular evangelistic Bible study became a significant tributary to the stream and then river which became the international student ministry of Kairos/Friends International in the city – which has been the large part of Bartow’s ministry in the decades since then.

And finally from September 1975 for three years Marianne and Bartow were part of St Matthew’s Fellowship House, an experiment in community living, which rented most of the old house for some years. That time was a hugely significant part of our lives, living closely with a dozen others from St Matthew’s Church. We shared food, time, illnesses and struggles, differing personalities, prayer and Bible study - most of all we shared Jesus. So these various periods living in Tyndale have played a massive part in moulding who we are as people, in the international student ministry that is still central to what we do, and even in our being married to each other. We are grateful to God, and to all who He used in all this.

Dr Craig Blomberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary

...In each instance, the goals of pairing the highest levels of scholarship with deep Christian devotion have been maintained and fulfilled. Add to that the unique collection of resources the library offers, the overall setting of Cambridge and its university...and Tyndale House remains an unparalleled gift of God to the world.