John Wycliffe
Pioneering English reformer whose doctrines influenced the trajectory of Christianity.
Chronology: 1320 – 1384-12-31
Origins & Early Life
John Wycliffe (; also spelled Wyclif, Wickliffe, Wicklyf etc.; 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 for or made a vernacular translation of the Vulgate Bible into Middle English, though more recent scholarship has minimised the extent of his advocacy or involvement for lack of direct contemporary evidence. He became an influential dissident within the Catholic priesthood during the 14th century and his ideas are often considered an important predecessor to Protestantism.
Pivotal Works & Achievements
His political-theological theory of dominion meant that the church was not allowed to own property or have ecclesiastic courts, and 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...
Enduring Legacy & Impact
The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.
Source: Wikipedia