Chapter 5:
John Wycliffe
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1
Introduction
The scene opens in England, where the Word of God is hidden. John Wycliffe witnesses the need for godliness in the lives of his parishioners with the understanding that scripture is given by God for our benefit. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Wycliffe is foremost in sharing the Holy scriptures with his people by . Once again, Satan stirs up opposition against God’s truth by rallying powerful agencies against Wycliffe and his work.
What are the elements of this chapter?
People: JOHN WYCLIFFE (1320-1384)
English Priest, Professor, Theologian, and Reformer
Known as the morning star of the reformation.
A professor of theology at Oxford, he would later serve as a co amabassador to the Netherlands where he first learned of the papacy’s plans for England.
Wycliffe, a student of the Bible, who was devoted to truth, spoke out against the abuses of papacy. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Few copies of the Bible were available and locked up in languages that only learned people could read.
Question: Do you have to be a university professor or doctor of theology to study the Bible?
People: MENDICANT FRIARS
Traveling monks
Wherever they would go they would beg for money and sell indulgences to raise money for the church.
They were corrupt, living off of the money they begged for and grew wealthy as the poor grew poorer.
They corrupted the youth/students by pressuring them to join monasteries against their parent’s wishes.
Monks had the power to hear confessions and grant pardon while they were ignorant of scripture and preached false doctrines of the church.
Event: WYCLIFFE WRITES TRACTS
Wycliffe wrote tracts against the friars and their system of worship and power, revealing the true nature of the papacy. (Isaiah 58:1)
Question: When is it a good or bad time to speak out against corruption in the church?
Event: PAPAL BULLS AGAINST WYCLIFFE
Papal Bulls are written against heretics in England by Pope Gregory XI which leads to attacks against Wycliffe.
Local bishops bring Wycliffe to trial but his popularity causes the bishops to suspend. (GC 85.3)
Death penalty for private Bible ownership.
Question: What are you risking sharing the Bible where it is against the law?
Event: WESTERN SCHISM (1378-1417 AD)
The corruption of the church is exposed! Pope Gregory XI dies and two rival popes are elected, one ruling from Avignon France and the other from Rome. A split is caused in the catholic church. Bloody war ensues between the opposing papal factions allowing the people to see the true character of the papacy.
People: LOLLARDS
The followers of Wycliffe who evangelized England and Europe.
Funny Story
Wycliffe suffered from a dangerous illness and was expected to die.
Enemy friars surrounded his bedside compelling him to retract.
Instead of retracting, He sat up in bed and said…" I shall not die, but live, and declare the evil of the friars." (GC 87.3)
Event: WYCLIFFE TRANSLATES THE BIBLE TO ENGLISH
Translated from the Latin Vulgate in manuscript form.
The new English Bible is put into the hands of the people of England (Psalm 119:105, 130)
Salvation through faith in Christ is preached as well as the infallibility of the scriptures as a light that shines in darkness.
Question: When any religious or political entity opposes the Bible, who/what are they really opposing?
The Papacy Strikes Again!
Priests convince King Richard II to write an edict against Wycliffe’s writings. (GC 89.3-89.4)
Wycliffe appeals the edict, bringing his case to parliament demanding the church reform its abuses.
The edict is repealed and Wycliffe is set free again.
The papacy attacks a third time!
Wycliffe stands his ground, captivating the entire assembly. When finished, he walks out of the courtroom and no one stops him.(GC 90.1-90.3)
Event: WYCLIFFE DIES
(GC 90.4-92.4)
Wycliffe was summoned to Rome for Trial one last time but having fallen ill, he writes a letter to the pope to offer his defense.
God spares Wycliffe from going to Rome, he dies from a stroke while giving communion.
What does this have to do with me today?
Is it possible for seminaries to become theologically corrupted?