John Wycliffe

• 1. Early Life And Oxford Years

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  John Wycliffe was born in the village of Hipswell, near Richmond in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England. Records suggest he was born in the mid-1320s, though some sources claim after 1331. He received his early education close to home before arriving at Oxford around 1345. Thomas Bradwardine, Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote On the Cause of God Against the Pelagians, a book that greatly shaped young Wycliffe's views on grace. The Black Death reached England in the summer of 1348 and made a deep impression on him. Robert Vaughn noted this event gave Wycliffe very gloomy views regarding the condition and prospects of the human race. In September 1351, Wycliffe became a priest. He attended the St Scholastica Day riot where sixty-three students and townspeople were killed. By 1356, he completed his bachelor of arts degree at Merton College as a junior fellow. That same year produced a small treatise called The Last Age of the Church. Wycliffe believed the close of the 14th century would mark the end of the world due to the virulence of the plague.

• 2. Political Theology And Civil Dominion

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  In 1374, Wycliffe joined a group negotiating in Bruges for the English Government with papal envoys of Gregory XI. This connection may have started his relationship with John of Gaunt, third son of King Edward III. Soon after returning from Bruges, he began writing tracts beyond his college chair. A book concerning government of God and Ten Commandments attacked temporal rule of clergy, annates collection, indulgences, and simony. De civili dominio drew arguments from Richard FitzRalph's works. It called for royal divestment of all church property. Wycliffe argued the Church had fallen into sin and ought give up all its property. Clergy must live in poverty according to this theory. High state offices held by clerics were resented by powerful nobles like John of Gaunt. Church wealth could fund military needs for the government. At least some of Wycliffe's program should be seen as naive attempts at social reconstruction following Black Death chaos between 1347 and 1349. His political theology meant men in mortal sin were not entitled to exercise authority or own property.

• 3. Conflict With Church Hierarchy

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  In 1377, Pope Gregory XI censured nineteen articles of De civili dominio. Wycliffe was summoned before William Courtenay, Bishop of London, to a convocation on the 19th of February 1377 at St Paul's Cathedral. Exact charges remain unknown since matter did not reach definite examination. Lechler suggests Wycliffe targeted by John of Gaunt's opponents among nobles and church hierarchy. Gaunt, Earl Marshal Henry Percy, and armed supporters accompanied Wycliffe. A hostile crowd gathered at church entrance where party animities showed. An angry exchange occurred between Bishop of London and John of Gaunt about whether Wycliffe could sit. Gaunt declared he would humble pride of English clergy and their partisans. Assembly broke up with Gaunt departing with protégé. Anti-Gaunt riots followed next day in London. On the 22nd of May 1377, Pope Gregory XI sent five copies of bull against Wycliffe to Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of London, King Edward III, Chancellor, and university. Enclosures included eighteen theses denounced as erroneous and dangerous to Church and State. All drawn from De Civili dominio. Stephen Lahey suggests Gregory's action attempted pressure on King Edward to make peace with France. Edward III died the 21st of June 1377. Bull did not reach England before December. Vice-Chancellor confined Wycliffe some time in Black Hall until friends obtained release.

• 4. The Lollard Movement And Preaching

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  Wycliffe aimed to replace existing hierarchy with poor priests living in poverty without vows or formal consecration. Itinerant preachers spread teachings throughout realm. Contemporary record claims local sympathetic knights forced people to hear preaching sometimes acting as armed guards preventing disputation. Preachers criticized accumulation of wealth including secular properties belonging to nobility. Although Wycliffe disapproved revolt, some disciples justified killing Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury. In summer 1381, Wycliffe formulated doctrine of Lord's Supper in twelve short sentences making it duty to advocate everywhere. English hierarchy launched proceedings declaring declarations heretical. Chancellor pronounced some declarations heretical at University of Oxford. When announced to Wycliffe he declared no one could change convictions. He appealed to king rather than pope or ecclesiastical authorities. Published great confession upon subject plus second writing in English for common people. Bull of Gregory XI impressed name Lollards upon them intended as opprobrious epithet but became name of honor. Even during Wycliffe's lifetime Lollards reached wide circles preaching God's law without which no one could be justified. Not all anti-clerical people were Lollards nor all Lollards Wycliffites.

• 5. Translation Of The English Bible

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  According to tradition Wycliffe completed translation direct from Vulgate into Middle English known as Wycliffe's Bible. He may have personally translated Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Possible he initially translated entire New Testament Early Version. Associates likely translated Old Testament and revised Late Version. Wycliffe's Bible appears completed prior to 1384 with updated versions done by assistant John Purvey in 1388 and 1395. More recently historians suggest Wycliffe had minor role actual translations or contributed ad hoc passages from English theological writings. Some scholars go far suggesting he had no role other than inspiration at least partially by biblicism at Oxford. Orthodox Catholic translations later co-opted by followers. For initial Early Version rendering Old Testament attributed to friend Nicholas of Hereford. Rendering some New Testament traditionally attributed to Wycliffe. Whole revised perhaps by younger contemporary John Purvey in 1388 known as Late Version. Linguistic analysis suggests multiple translators for both EV and LV translations. Over 200 manuscripts complete or partial mainly containing translation in LV form exist today. Texts widely diffused during 15th century. Wycliffites often designated Bible men by opponents though vocabulary in English sermons doesn't typically match found in EV or LV.

• 6. Philosophy And Scholastic Thought

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  Wycliffe was prominent English philosopher second half 14th century earning great repute early date. Henry Knighton said philosophy second to none him incomparable scholastic discipline. Period devoted exclusively to scholastic philosophy. First book De Logica explores fundamentals Scholastic Theology. He believed one should study Logic better understand human mind because thoughts feelings actions bear God's image likeness. Espoused propositional realism true proposition maps onto truth about being real. Centre philosophical system formed doctrine prior existence thought God all things events. Platonic realism viewed beauty property exists ideal form independently mind thing. For Wycliffe every universal derived existence from God Creator. Close follower Augustine always upheld primacy Creator over created reality. Influence Thomas Aquinas detected some teachings. Said Democritus Plato Augustine Grosseteste far outranked Aristotle. Held realism opposed nominalism advanced William of Ockham. Ideas carried forward twentieth century philosopher Reformed theologian Cornelius Van Til. Believed intellectual emotional error universals cause sin reigning world. In On Civil Dominion discusses appropriate circumstance entity may seen possessing authority lesser subjects. Authority always conferred God injuries inflicted personally king borne submissively conventional idea. Injuries king against God patiently resisted even death.

• 7. Death And Posthumous Condemnation

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  In years before death 1384 increasingly argued Scriptures authoritative centre Christianity claims papacy unhistorical monasticism irredeemably corrupt moral unworthiness priests invalidated office sacraments. Returned to Lutterworth sending tracts monks Pope Urban VI contrary hopes reforming pope not turned out be reforming pope. Literary achievements last days Trialogus stand peak knowledge day. Last work Opus evangelicum final part named Of Antichrist remained uncompleted. Saying Mass parish church Holy Innocents' Day the 28th of December 1384 suffered stroke died few days later. Started venerated local saint Bohemian followers took piece tomb Prague worshipped relic. Anti-Lollard statute 1401 De heretico comburendo classed heresy form sedition treason ordered Lollard books frequently associated Wycliffe handed over burnt someone refusing abjure could burnt. Constitutions Oxford 1408 established rules Oxford University specifically named John Wycliffe Lollard writings heretical decreed new translation efforts Scripture English first authorised Bishop. Council Constance declared Wycliffe heretic the 4th of May 1415 banned writings. Decreed works burned bodily remains removed consecrated church ground following customary logic heretics put themselves outside church. Order confirmed Pope Martin V eventually carried out 1428. Corpse neighbour exhumed unusually orders bishop remains burned ashes drowned River Swift flows through Lutterworth. Prevent development saint relic cult around Wycliff some local Lollards believed miraculous spring sprung bones buried.