John Wycliffe: The Morning Star | Episode 11 | Lineage

Summary

John Wycliffe, known as the 'Morning Star of the Reformation', was a 14th-century theologian and Oxford scholar whose work laid the groundwork for later reformers. He was a proponent of civil and religious liberty, trained Lollard preachers, and translated the Bible into English, a radical act at the time. Despite opposition from the Church, his efforts to make the Bible accessible in the vernacular language were instrumental in the spread of Reformation ideas.

Takeaways

• 🌟 John Wycliffe is known as the 'Morning Star of the Reformation', symbolizing his significant role in the religious changes that occurred before the Reformation.
• 🎓 Wycliffe was a scholar and debater at Oxford University, where he first criticized the friars and their lifestyle, incurring the displeasure of Rome.
• 🏆 He was a proponent of civil and religious liberty and was the first to use the term 'Antichrist' in reference to Rome.
• 💡 The papal schism of 1378, where two popes claimed authority, provided Wycliffe with a relative peace to continue his work.
• 📜 Wycliffe was a strong advocate for the ministry of preaching and trained men known as Lollards to spread the gospel.
• 📖 His most significant achievement was the translation of the Bible into English from the Latin Vulgate, making it accessible to the common people.
• 🚫 Reading the Bible in the vernacular was considered heresy and dangerous during Wycliffe's time.
• 🗣️ Wycliffe argued that Christ and the apostles taught in the language known to the people, and that the doctrine should be in the common tongue.
• 💡 His translation of the Bible was not without flaws but was instrumental in bringing light to the spiritual darkness of the time.
• 📚 The script challenges the audience to read the Bible daily, emphasizing the light it brings, as stated in Psalm 119:130.

Q & A

Who is John Wycliffe and why is he significant?

John Wycliffe is often referred to as the 'Morning Star of the Reformation'. He was a 14th-century English theologian, philosopher, and reformer who lived around 150 years before the likes of Martin Luther and John Calvin. His work was key in paving the way for the Reformation, as he was a reformer before the term became popular, standing alone as a voice of change in his generation and calling people back to the Bible.

What was John Wycliffe's educational background?

John Wycliffe was educated at Oxford University, where he was a scholar and an unrivalled debater. It was during his time as a student that he first incurred the displeasure of Rome by denouncing the friars and their lazy lifestyle.

What was John Wycliffe's stance on civil and religious liberty?

John Wycliffe was a champion of civil and religious liberty. He believed in the importance of these liberties and worked towards advocating for them during a time when such ideas were not widely accepted.

How did the papal schism of 1378 impact John Wycliffe's work?

The papal schism of 1378, where there were two popes each claiming to be the rightful one, created confusion within the Church. This confusion allowed John Wycliffe to continue his work in relative peace, as the Church was preoccupied with the schism.

Who were the Lollards and what was their role?

The Lollards were men trained by John Wycliffe. They were sent out all over the country to preach the gospel. They played a significant role in spreading Wycliffe's teachings and the message of the Reformation.

Why was translating the Bible into the vernacular considered heretical during Wycliffe's time?

During Wycliffe's time, the Bible was typically read in Latin, which was not the language of the common people. To translate the Bible into the language of the people was seen as heresy because it was believed to undermine the authority of the clergy, who were the only ones educated enough to read and interpret the Latin texts.

What was the reaction of the Church to Wycliffe's translation of the Bible into English?

The Church viewed Wycliffe's translation as dangerous and heretical. A church leader at the time commented that by translating the Bible, the 'gospel pearl' was being 'thrown before swine and trodden underfoot,' suggesting that the sacred text was being desecrated.

What did John Wycliffe believe about the accessibility of the Bible to the common people?

John Wycliffe believed that the truth of the Christian faith becomes more evident the more it is known. He argued that Christ and His apostles taught in the language best known to the people, and therefore, the doctrine should not only be in Latin but also in the common tongue.

What was the significance of Wycliffe's Bible translation in the context of the Reformation?

Wycliffe's translation of the Bible into English from the Latin Vulgate was a significant step towards the Reformation. It shed light where there had been only darkness and helped to pierce through the spiritual darkness that was covering England and Europe at the time.

How did John Wycliffe's work influence later reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin?

John Wycliffe's work laid the groundwork for later reformers by challenging the Church's authority and advocating for the Bible to be accessible in the language of the people. His ideas and writings influenced the thinking of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others, who would later lead the Protestant Reformation.