John Wycliffe, (1330-1384) Morning Star of the Reformation

John Wycliffe was probably the best educated theologian in his day. He was trained at Oxford and his influence through writing and preaching was extensive. He strongly believed the church in England had become too powerful and it was controlled by the government of England. People just needed to study the Bible and that was all that was necessary to become a follower of God.

However, that principle was contrary to the corrupt teachings of the institution of the church and it would mess up the stronghold the church had over people. You see people were stuck in a religious system. They were led along by priests, popes, kings and religious orders.

John Wycliffe began to preach that the Bible alone was enough for eternal salvation. Infant baptism was not necessary to be redeemed and the Lord ’s Table was not the actual body and blood of Jesus, they were symbolic elements for the follower of Christ to reflect on.

Wycliffe’s greatest contribution to the Reformation movement which was over 100 years in the future was his emphasis on the Word of God. He popularized the Bible for the common person. In those days the Bible was in Latin, Wycliffe translated it into the common language of the people. People who could read could think for themselves, understand the Word and choose to follow Christ. There was no need for someone else to interpret for them what God could say directly to them.

Many of the people who followed Wycliffe’s teaching were known as ‘Lollards.’ They were taught to follow the scriptures and be willing to die for their faith. Many did die at the hands of the church leaders of England and under the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Wycliffe’s teachings spread all across Europe to Prague to a man named, John Hus.