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John Wyclif

John Wyclif (or or) (c. 1320 - 1384 ) was an English theologian and precursor of the Reformation.

Wyclif takes a strong voice for realism against the nominalism in a debate that remains vivid in his time. He argues for a return to the Bible and the Augustinian and publishes domino divino ( 1375 ), De officio regis, De veritate Scripturae ( 1378 ), De potestatis Dad ( 1379 ).

In 1376 , Wycliffe expounds the doctrine of "authority based on grace," in which all authority is granted directly by the grace of God and loses its value when its holder is guilty of sin mortal. For him, the true Church is invisible Christian Church in a state of grace: Wyclif calls into question the principle of hierarchy of authority in the Church and calls for the appointment of the pope by drawing lots. He denies priests in mortal sin can put the blame. Wyclif clearly suggests that the Church of England is sinful and guilty of corruption. He won the favor of some of the nobility in him wanting to redistribute wealth to the Church. Thus it is argued by Percy Northumberland and John of Gaunt.

February 19, 1377 , he was summoned by the Bishop of London , William Courtenay , to present his doctrine. The interview ends when John of Gaunt , who had accompanied Wycliffe, is embroiled in a scuffle with the bishop and his entourage. On 22 May 1377 , the Pope Gregory XI publishes several bubbles Wyclif accusing of heresy. In the fall of that year, the Parliament asked his opinion on the legality of the ban on the Church of England to transfer their assets abroad at the behest of the pope. Wyclif confirms the legality of such a ban, and in early 1378 he was again summoned by Bishop Courtenay and by the Archbishop of Canterbury , Simon Sudbury. Wycliffe received a reprimand because of its privileged relationship with the court.

Gospel translated by John Wycliffe, a copy of the late ^fourteenth century , folio 2v of MS Hunter 191 (T.8.21)

During 1378 , Wyclif and his friends from Oxford undertake an English translation of the Vulgate , thereby defying the ban of the Church. In 1379 , Wycliffe repudiated the doctrine of transubstantiation. This position creates such a bold condemnation that John of Gaunt withdrew his support. Wyclif sent from 1380 his followers, called the poor preachers , in their campaigns to make known his views egalitarian religious. The preachers found a wide audience and is accused of Wyclif sow social unrest. However, it does not engage directly in the abortive revolt of the peasants in 1381 , but it is likely that its doctrines influenced them. In May 1382 , Courtenay, who became Archbishop of Canterbury, assembles an ecclesiastical tribunal which condemned Wycliffe as a heretic and declared his expulsion from Oxford. Wycliffe retired to his parish of Lutterworth.

The Duke of Lancaster , London's population and for a time the mendicant orders who support his ideas have spread to England by itinerant preachers called "poor priests" or Lollards. However, his attacks against the papacy earned him the condemnation of Rome and in 1384 he died in isolation.

After Wyclif's death, his teachings spread rapidly. His Bible , published in 1388, is widely distributed by his followers, the Lollards. Finally, the works of Wyclif strongly influence the Czech reformer Jan Hus and the Anabaptists. Martin Luther also recognize its debt to Wycliffe. In May 1415 , the Council of Constance condemned Wycliffe's heresies and ordered his body be exhumed and burned. The decree will be implemented in 1428.

Wyclif's thought represents a complete break with the Roman Catholic church, then only Christian institution, insofar as it asserts that there is a direct relationship between humanity and God , not through priests. By adhering to Scripture, Wyclif think that Christians are able to take control of their lives without the assistance of Pope and bishops. Wyclif denounced many beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church, judging unscriptural. Condemning the slavery and war , he argues that Christian clergy should follow the ideal of poverty gospel , following the example of Christ and his disciples.