May 22: John Wycliff, the Master of Errors

On May 22, 1377, Pope Gregory XI condemned the teachings of John Wycliffe—declaring the popular British preacher to be the “Master of Errors.”

Wycliffe had made several bold and controversial stands against the Catholic church, which still held sway in England. When the church had demanded a large sum of money sent from England, Wycliffe had urged the nobility not to comply. He believed that Christ’s call to the church was one of poverty, not wealth—one of giving to the poor, not oppressing them.

Wycliffe had a very high view of Scripture. He thought that church practices should, above all, be consistent with what is mandated in the Bible. He called for higher standards of morality among priests and nobles, and expected them to be held accountable to the teachings of the Bible. Above all, he argued that every peasant ought to have the opportunity to read the Bible for himself.

His views became popular among the common people. They had recently been ravaged by the Black Death and had been left stricken with poverty and despair. These peasants found hope in Wycliffe’s message which affirmed their dignity.

Wycliffe was summoned to London to face charges of heresy. However, a brawl broke out as soon as the meeting began and no decision was made. In fear of the people, the authorities turned the case over to Rome, which promptly condemned Wycliffe’s theology on May 22, 1377.

Thankfully for Wycliffe, a papal schism left him largely ignored by the church. He went on to teach and write for the rest of his life. His words began to open the eyes and rouse the hearts of the people, and his ideas set the stage for reform.

Wycliffe would go on to begin the first translation of the Bible into English. Although he would never see its completion, Wycliffe would give every Englishman the opportunity to read and understand the Bible for himself.

43 years after his death, Wycliffe was declared a heretic. His body was dug up and burned. His ashes were thrown into the river Swift. A writer would later point out poetically that the river carried his remains to the ocean “and thus the ashes of Wycliffe are the emblem of his doctrine which now is dispersed the world over.”

Although his ideas were banned and his followers outlawed, his convictions became the bedrock for the Reformation that would sweep through Europe 150 years later. He is commonly referred to as the Morning Star of the Reformation.

Verse of the day: Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.