John Wycliffe and the Lollards on Video

John Wycliffe played an enormous pre-reformation role in preparation for a much-needed change in Christianity and the corrupt church of the day.

One of his major contributions was the introduction of the bible in the vernacular of the common people, something strongly opposed by Catholic leaders.

While he wasn't the first, he was probably the loudest and most effective opponent of the church as the final authority, rather than the Word of God. That didn't go over too well for him over the years, as you might well suspect.

As a matter of fact, after his death he was condemned as a heretic by the Catholic leaders at the Council of Constance, whom had his bones dug up and burned and then cast into a river.

Later he sent out two preachers at a time declaring many of the truths he held so dear. These itinerant preachers were eventually known as the Lollards.

One of his major attacks on the Catholic Church, of which he was part, was concerning ecclesiocracy. That is much different than theocracy, in which the principles of Jesus Christ influence the role, influence parameters of governments in the world. Ecclesiocracy was the rule of the clergy over the kings of the world, and thus, the governments and people. That has always been outside the call of God as far as spiritual leaders go, and Wycliffe attacked it with a vengeance.

That's not to say kings and government leaders aren't ministers of God, but that's only in regard to bearing the sword, as Paul says in Romans, not as being over the church of Jesus Christ in any way.

In other words, governmental leaders have an important but defined role by God, while ministers of the gospel have an entirely different one.

The church of Jesus Christ and its leaders are to influence the direction of government leaders, not be over them. Neither are governments to have any sway over the churches. They are completely different entities under God with different purposes and roles to play.

Wycliffe saw that and preached it throughout his life.

There is much more to the story of course, which is why I have included these two videos on the life of Wycliffe and how he and the Lollards influenced history.

John Wycliffe - Biography


The Life and Ministry of John Wycliffe

The Life and Ministry of John Wycliffe