John Wycliffe

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John Wycliffe, an influential figure in Christian history, was born around 1328 in Yorkshire, England[2]. He was an English theologian, philosopher, church reformer, and promoter of the first complete translation of the Bible into English[5]. Throughout his life, Wycliffe emphasized his faith and sought to bring about reform within the Catholic Church.

In the 14th century, Wycliffe became a dissident within the Catholic priesthood and challenged the practices and abuses of the medieval Church[3]. He believed that the Christian scriptures were the supreme authority, placing them above the pope and the church hierarchy[3]. Wycliffe's teachings and criticisms gained attention and sparked controversy.

In 1374, Wycliffe was appointed to the rectory of Lutterworth, where he continued his work and showed an interest in politics[5]. He received a royal commission to discuss the differences between England and Rome, including issues such as papal taxes and appointments to church posts[5]. Wycliffe demonstrated his patriotism and loyalty to the king in this role.

One of Wycliffe's most significant contributions was his translation of the Bible into English, making it accessible to laypeople[2]. He believed that the Scriptures held the power to change lives and bring people closer to God[6]. Wycliffe cared deeply for the poor and common folk and criticized the Church's ownership of vast amounts of land[6]. He saw the Scriptures as a means of empowering and renewing individuals.

Wycliffe's teachings and translations faced opposition from the Church. After his death on December 31, 1384, officials exhumed his body, burned his remains, and threw the ashes into the river Swift[1]. However, his teachings continued to spread, and he became recognized as a forerunner to the Protestant Reformation[3]. Wycliffe's legacy lives on through his contributions to Bible translation and his efforts to reform the Church.

In summary, John Wycliffe was a theologian, philosopher, and church reformer who emphasized his faith and sought to bring about change within the Catholic Church. He translated the Bible into English, making it accessible to laypeople, and criticized the practices and abuses of the medieval Church. Despite facing opposition, Wycliffe's teachings and translations had a lasting impact on Christian history.

Citations:

[1] https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/moversandshakers/john-wycliffe.html 

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wycliffe 

[3] https://www.worldhistory.org/John_Wycliffe/ 

[4] http://timeline.biblehistory.com/event/John-Wycliffe 

[5] https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Wycliffe 

[6] https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/john-wycliffe-on-his-death-bed-11629868.html 

Key People In John Wycliffe's Life

John Wycliffe was a prominent figure in Christian history, and he had several key people in his life who influenced him and his work. These people include:

1. King Edward III: Wycliffe served as a chaplain to King Edward III, and he received a royal commission to discuss the differences between England and Rome, including issues such as papal taxes and appointments to church posts[1]. Wycliffe demonstrated his patriotism and loyalty to the king in this role.

2. William of Wykeham: William of Wykeham was the bishop of Winchester and the founder of New College, Oxford, where Wycliffe studied[2]. Wykeham was a significant influence on Wycliffe's education and career.

3. John of Gaunt: John of Gaunt was the third surviving son of King Edward III, and he was a patron of Wycliffe's work[2]. Gaunt supported Wycliffe's efforts to reform the Church and translate the Bible into English.

4. Nicholas of Hereford: Nicholas of Hereford was a close associate of Wycliffe and worked with him on the translation of the Bible into English[4]. Nicholas was responsible for translating the New Testament, while Wycliffe translated the Old Testament.

5. John Purvey: John Purvey was a close friend and follower of Wycliffe, and he is considered responsible for the version of the "Wycliffe" Bible we have today[4]. Purvey worked with Wycliffe and Nicholas of Hereford in translating the Latin version of the Bible into English.

6. William Langland: William Langland was a poet who was influenced by Wycliffe's teachings and wrote a poem called "Piers Plowman," which criticized the Church's corruption and called for reform[7].

7. John Aston: John Aston was a follower of Wycliffe's teachings and was known for his preaching and evangelism[7]. He was one of the "poor preachers" that Wycliffe prepared his tracts and paraphrases of the Bible for.

Academic Influences

• • Thomas Bradwardine: Archbishop of Canterbury who influenced Wycliffe's concepts of grace and predestination

• • Fitz Ralph Armachanus: Shaped Wycliffe's concept of dominion

• • William of Ockham: Influenced Wycliffe's views on the Lord's Supper

• • Robert Grosseteste: Influenced Wycliffe's concept of papal abuse of power

• • Marsiglio of Padue: Shaped Wycliffe's view of a non-imperialistic church

Church Officials

• • Simon Islip: Archbishop of Canterbury who appointed Wycliffe as head of Canterbury Hall

• • Simon Langham: Islip's successor who removed Wycliffe from his position

• • William Courtenay: Bishop of London who summoned Wycliffe for examination

• • Pope Gregory XI: Issued bulls against Wycliffe's teachings 

In summary, John Wycliffe had several key people in his life who influenced his work, including King Edward III, William of Wykeham, John of Gaunt, Jan Hus, and Nicholas of Hereford. These individuals played a significant role in supporting Wycliffe's efforts to reform the Church and translate the Bible into English.

Citations:

[1] https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/john-wycliffe-on-his-death-bed-11629868.html

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wycliffe

[3] https://www.bl.uk/people/john-wycliffe

[4] https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/moversandshakers/john-wycliffe.html

[5] https://www.worldhistory.org/John_Wycliffe/

[6] https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Wycliffe

[7] https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-3/john-wycliffe-gallery-of-wycliffes-defenders-friends-and.html

John Wycliffe's Influence

John Wycliffe was a highly influential figure in Christian history, and his teachings and ideas had a significant impact on many people, including some famous individuals. Here are some of the people who were strongly influenced by John Wycliffe:

1. William Tyndale: William Tyndale was an English scholar and theologian who is best known for his translation of the Bible into English1. Tyndale was heavily influenced by Wycliffe's translation of the Bible and his emphasis on the importance of Scripture.

2. Martin Luther: Martin Luther was a German theologian and reformer who is credited with starting the Protestant Reformation1. Luther was influenced by Wycliffe's teachings on the authority of Scripture and his criticisms of the Catholic Church.

3. John Calvin: John Calvin was a French theologian and reformer who is best known for his teachings on predestination and his role in the development of Reformed theology1. Calvin was influenced by Wycliffe's emphasis on the authority of Scripture and his criticisms of the Church.

4. Ulrich Zwingli: Ulrich Zwingli was a Swiss theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Reformation in Switzerland1. Zwingli was influenced by Wycliffe's teachings on the authority of Scripture and his criticisms of the Church.

5. Jan Hus: Jan Hus was a Czech theologian and reformer who was heavily influenced by Wycliffe's teachings6. Hus translated some of Wycliffe's works into Czech and was a follower of his ideas.

In summary, John Wycliffe's teachings and ideas had a significant impact on many people, including William Tyndale, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and Jan Hus. These individuals were influenced by Wycliffe's emphasis on the authority of Scripture and his criticisms of the Catholic Church, and they went on to play significant roles in the Protestant Reformation.