John Wycliffe

English Theologian
John Wycliffe was an influential English theologian and reformer in the 14th century. He is known for his advocacy of the Bible in the vernacular and his challenge to the Catholic Church's authority. Wycliffe's ideas were precursors to the Protestant Reformation and influenced later reformers like Jan Hus.

About John Wycliffe

John Wycliffe (; also spelled Wyclif, Wickliffe, and other variants; c. 1328 – 31 December 1384) was an English scholastic philosopher, Christian reformer, Catholic priest, and a theology professor at the University of Oxford. Wycliffe is traditionally believed to have advocated or made a vernacular translation of the Vulgate Bible (into Middle English), though more recent scholarship has minimalized the extent of his advocacy or involvement for lack of direct contemporary evidence.: 7-8

He became an influential dissident within the Catholic priesthood during the 14th century and is often considered an important predecessor to Protestantism. His theory of dominion meant that men in mortal sin were not entitled to exercise authority in the church or state, nor to own property. Wycliffe insisted on the radical poverty of all clergy.

Wycliffe has been characterised as the “evening star” of scholasticism and as the morning star or stella matutina of the English Reformation.

Certain of Wycliffe’s later followers, derogatorily called Lollards by their orthodox contemporaries in the 15th and 16th centuries, adopted a number of the beliefs attributed to Wycliffe such as theological virtues, predestination, iconoclasm, and the notion of caesaropapism, with some questioning the veneration of saints, the sacraments, requiem masses, transubstantiation, monasticism, and the legitimacy or role of the Papacy. Wycliffe’s writings in Latin greatly influenced the philosophy and teaching of the Czech reformer Jan Hus (c. 1369-1415).

Get to know John Wycliffe better

Frequently asked questions about John Wycliffe

John Wycliffe was an English scholastic philosopher, Christian reformer, Catholic priest, and theology professor at the University of Oxford in the 14th century. He is considered an important predecessor to the Protestant Reformation.

Wycliffe believed that men in mortal sin were not entitled to exercise authority in the church or state, nor to own property. He also insisted on the radical poverty of all clergy and advocated for a vernacular translation of the Bible.

Wycliffe’s writings in Latin greatly influenced the philosophy and teaching of the Czech reformer Jan Hus. His ideas were also adopted by his later followers, known as Lollards, who questioned the veneration of saints, the sacraments, and the legitimacy of the Papacy.

Wycliffe was a Catholic priest and theology professor, but he became an influential dissident within the Catholic priesthood during the 14th century. He challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and advocated for radical changes in the church’s practices and beliefs.

Wycliffe’s later followers, the Lollards, were derogatorily called by their orthodox contemporaries in the 15th and 16th centuries. However, Wycliffe himself has been characterized as the ,evening star, of scholasticism and the ,morning star, of the English Reformation.

Quotes by John Wycliffe

I believe that in the end the truth will conquer.

John Wycliffe

In order to the existence of such a ministry in the Church, there is requisite an authority received from God, and consequently power and knowledge imparted from God for the exercise of such ministry; and where a man possesses these, although the bis.

John Wycliffe

The higher the hill, the stronger the wind: so the loftier the life, the stronger the enemy’s temptations.

John Wycliffe

This Bible is for the government of the people, by the people and for the people’

John Wycliffe