A Wrap up of John Wycliffe's Theology

John Wycliffe has been called the ''Morning Star of the Reformation,'' ''The Protestant of the Middle Ages,'' and probably a host of other titles. His life and theology had a tremendous influence on late Medieval England, and later, the Protestant Reformation. In short though, here is a brief summary of his theology which I will examine more closely based on his actual writings with the help of commentary by scholars. Sometimes Wycliffe seems to be judged by some of the extremes among his Lollard followers whom quite varied among each other in their theology. For more on some of the theology of the Lollards, see The Lollard Conclusions. It should be noted though, that even that document does not summarize the beliefs of all the Lollards. Below, is a list of some of Wycliffe's beliefs found in his writings etc.

1. The Bible should be in the hands of all men, and in their own language.
2. Priesthood of all Believers
3. Rejection of Transubstantiation as the Roman Church understood it*1, and that it is ''idolatry.''
4. Against Private Confession to Priests
5. Wicked men cannot hold the office of priesthood
6. Everything is subordinate to the authority of Holy Scripture
7. Invocation of Saints is morally acceptable as long as it points one toward Christ.*2
8. An actual acceptance of a type of Purgatory
9. That those in Grace even when committing mortal sin are still in grace.
10. That there is the church of institution, and there is the church of the saved.
11. The Papacy is Antichrist

1.* Wycliffe's views on Communion, or Eucharistic Theology, are a little unclear. Some scholars have pointed out that he sometimes teaches Memoralism, Receptionisism, and Consubstantiation.
2*This is interesting, as later Confessional Lutherans and Calvinist would strongly reject this practice. This may sound surprising that Wycliffe supported devotion to the saints as he was against the worship of the saints and other abuses that he saw in his day. Furthermore, many Protestants today would be shocked to learn that Wycliffe taught that Christians need Mary's invocation on a sermon that he gave on the festival of her assumption. 


 I am currently waiting on some of Wycliffe's actual writings to come in the mail. Whether we agree or disagree with Wycliffe, it is interesting how some of his positions didn't go to the extremes on some issues as did later Protestant Reformers. I'm sure I will learn more in detail about Wycliffe's positions on many issues. Until then, Godspeed.






Further Sources: The English Works of Wycliff Hitherto Unprinted, Latin Writings of John Wyclf {Subsidia Mediaevalia}, Morning Star of the Reformation by Any Thomas, The English Works of Wyclife Hitherto Unprinted by John Wycliffe (p.xlii-xliii). 
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/wyclif/?fbclid=IwAR0b-s6f9-JfnY1bO-yONzWeipxBhVcfq96GZCgtTXAZyUCk-OuiS1-JEjQ#4