MORNING STAR OF THE REFORMATION – JOHN WYCLIFFE

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

Morning star of the Reformation – John Wycliffe  

October is the month when we reflect on the events some five hundred years ago that brought the people of God liberty and access to the Holy Scriptures. The event we are speaking of is the 1517 Reformation. We all know the man called Martin Luther, the central figure of the 1517 Reformation. In October 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the church door of the Wittenberg castle. However, there were also other men who were used by God prior to the 1500s who contributed to the Reformation. Some of these men were the direct cause of the Reformation by their teachings, especially the doctrine of the supremacy of the Bible. Others, at the very least, were responsible for laying the groundwork and contributing to the circumstances that led up to the 1517 Reformation.

Martin Luther, the scholar-monk in Wittenberg was a man of God who treasured the supremacy of the Bible and its authority over the faith and life of the church. He held on to this doctrine tenaciously, despite the persecution of the church in the 15^th century. Luther's doctrine that the Bible is the sole authority was the battle cry of the Reformation which was, “Sola Scriptura”. Only the Bible alone is the guide and authority for the church, not church traditions, nor the authority of clergy. This is what we know from the Bible which teaches us that,

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17

A. The key issue at hand – The Word of God

In fact, Martin Luther was so convicted of the supreme authority of the Scriptures, that at the Diet of Worms, even when he was tried for heresy before the council, he was steadfast. Even when he was pushed to recant his beliefs, and there, his life hung on the balance, he was said to have declared,

"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason …, I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen."

Did Martin Luther stand alone on this platform of the supreme authority of the Word of God? Well, not exactly alone. In the centuries leading up to the Reformation, God had prepared other men for this very difficult task of bringing the church back on the right track, the path along which the church is guided by the Holy Spirit, depending only upon the written Word which God had revealed to His church. Indeed, there were other men. This Reformation month, we remember another hero of the faith, a man by the name of John Wycliffe. He lived about two centuries before Martin Luther, from 1320s to 1384. John Wycliffe was also called the “Morning Star of the Reformation”. If Martin Luther was the spark that ignited the flames of Reformation, John Wycliffe was the light of dawn which enabled the church to see the truth and potency of God’s Word. Beloved, let us be grateful for the eternal wisdom of our heavenly Father. Centuries before we were born, God had already prepared courageous men to steer His church onto the right path, the way of the Holy Scriptures. Praise and thank God for His goodness and grace upon the Church.

B. John Wycliffe and his contribution to the 1517 Reformation

The man John Wycliffe was quite remarkable, he was a theologian and a linguist. He translated the Latin Bible into English. In those days, the church had the Latin Vulgate – the Latin version of the Bible, which Jerome had translated from the original languages in the early centuries of the church. The Latin language was understood only by monks and scholars, and therefore, ordinary folks could not have access to the biblical truths. The English translation of the Bible would have a great impact on England in the later centuries. As the flames of the 1517 Reformation fanned its way to England, this English translation gave access to the English speaking population.

Wycliffe was also known for sending out preachers, to teach the truths of the Bible from town to town, starting from the area around Oxford. The Archbishop of Canterbury opposed these preachers and wanted to turn them back in obedience to the tradition of the Roman church.

They were derogatorily called “Lollards”, meaning a fool, or someone speaking nonsense. Many were persecuted, and some were sent to be burnt on the stakes with their Bibles hanging around their necks. There were other issues that Wycliffe had with the church in those days. Mainly, Wycliffe stood for the authority of the Bible as opposed to the authority of man. He opposed the doctrine of transubstantiation, and he advocated the simplicity of worship. In a way, John Wycliffe and the Lollards were the first fruits of the Reformation. We are thankful for such men as Wycliffe and Luther who stood for the supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures. 

Dearly beloved, God had given His Word by inspiration for His people for a practical purpose. The Word of God was given “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Today we have easy access to the Bible. Let us not take for granted the Word of God, let us read it, memorize it, and obey it. For our liberty and access to God’s Word is purchased by brave men, centuries ago, who gave their lives in order that the truth of God may be upheld. May God grant us steadfast hearts and minds in living and obeying His Word. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor