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In the academic climate of the 1940s there was a great need for co-operation among those who wished to challenge the current critical orthodoxy. It was for this purpose that Tyndale House in Cambridge was opened to form a base for biblical study groups and to provide a specialised biblical studies library. It was in the early years of its existence that I first had contact with this centre and I have retained close ties with ever since. For many years I have attended the annual New Testament Study groups there and have greatly profited from them. It has given an admirable opportunity to meet with those with similar interests and to encourage the development of New Testament scholarship. I have seen many extensions to this work, the most notable of which has been the erection of a purpose built library annex beside the original house in Selwyn Gardens and the further enlargement of that annex with the addition of a hexagonal building beside it. What has interested me most has been the growth of the library and the excellent succession of research students. I have a particular affection for this work since it ties in so closely with all that I have aimed to accomplish in my own work. I count many of those with whom I have associated at Tyndale House as my friends and I continue to take an active part in the direction of the work as a member of the Council.
Closely connected with Tyndale House is the Tyndale Fellowship which is a group of Biblical scholars committed to maintaining the authority of Scripture. This body not only organises the study groups and the various public Tyndale Lectures, but seeks to encourage scholars of like mind who are doing research in Biblical subjects. I have again been glad to identify myself with this Fellowship and to make myself available for helping groups of theological students in various theological departments of the Universities. I have always enjoyed opportunities to discuss with those who are in the throes of theological conflicts in order where possible to bring some encouragement. This experience has enabled me to discover how lecturers in different universities react to students who approach their studies from a different point of view. There is not always the tolerance there ought to be in such academic circles.
A work of an entirely different kind with which I have been closely associated is the Scripture Gift Mission, whose aim is to distribute portions of scripture or specially prepared leaflets containing selected verses of scripture. It has been found that people are often prepared to read a few verses tastefully presented when they would not read the text of Scripture itself. Nevertheless, readers are always encouraged to refer to the Scriptures when their interest has been aroused by the extracts. There is abundant evidence that innumerable readers have come to an experience of Christ as a result of these publications, often in areas of the world where no other literature exists. The Mission publishes leaflets in a large number of languages, and I have served for some years on a committee which discusses translation difficulties. It has been a real inspiration to consider reports of many new languages possessing small portions of Scriptures. Something of the thrill of the outreach to so many parts of the world comes over in the reports which are regularly received. It has been an enriching experience to join forces with a band of such dedicated people in the cause of spreading the gospel.
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