Contributions of John Wycliffe to the Christian Religion - Term Paper Example

John Wycliffe’s contributions to the Christian religion John Wycliffe was born in England at Yorkshire nearly seven hundred years ago. During the period of Wycliffe birth, the entire Europe and in particular England experienced spiritual darkness. At that particular time, the papacy’s influence was significantly felt the extent there was no significant preaching of the word publicly. In addition, the absence of the bible made religion difficult as there is no preaching and this hinders growth of Christian faith (Davis 98). During then, people expressed weaknesses in Christian faith as many were in bondage of the mainstream church and sacraments. Other individuals believed in giving out offerings so that they can receive forgiveness for their sins (McDonald 139). John Wycliffe acquired his college education at Morten College at Oxford, which acted as a fundamental tool in his career. This is becoming a significant and reputable icon towards building Christian faith. During Wycliffe’s time, the church had a dominant force in almost all areas of life. The church utilized its power to exploit fellow Christians in a variety of ways. For instance, Christians were to pay for their sins whereby mode of payment was money or gifts meant for the ministers (Phillips 26). Most people were in bondage of the church and its sacraments based on how it expressed and ensured its power manipulated Christians. This prompted Wycliffe turned out to be the then fearless critical of the church’s abuse of power (Davis 98). Hence, becoming popular due to his stern stand and criticism on the church though he based his arguments on the word. The then secular government was an example of a reputable organization that boosted and sided with him in its quest to reveal how the church had become and taken advantage of its congregation’s ignorance. Government’s support was in form of preventing the church from directly condemning the emergent critic whose arguments were justifiable besides the church some of the dealings being unbiblical. Wycliffe was also a significant workforce in the reformation of the church. During his time, the church seemed own a large area of England besides having an unconquerable influence (Lavinsky). Instances of corruption characterized the mainstream church more so the clergy taking advantage of the ignorant faithful. In addition, the clergy contrary to what their vows stated proved to be immoral besides sometimes allowed to pass certain stages without accomplishing the required measures, hence the church during then producing illiterate priests (McDonald 139). The subjects to these authorities were the poor citizens that the church had assumed the role protecting them but instead resulting to heightened and unequalled exploitation. Conversely, Wycliffe minded and cared for the poor as well as the oppressed individuals. This drove him to write and preach against church’s teachings with specific topics like indulgences, the doctrine of transubstantiation and purgatory (Lavinsky). His teachings made him face variety of challenges besides tribulations like deserted by his friends and finally dismissed from teaching in universities (Phillips 24). Rejection and opposition faced by Wycliffe made him to flee away from his hometown despite being a key figure representing liberation from the bondages of the church and sacrament. While in bondage, his students joined him where they helped him translate the Bible (Taylo). This incidence up to date acts as one of the Wycliffe’s main roles in teaching citizens the essence of religion and in particular, Christianity whereby after his demise the students took over in spreading the word. Word in this case was in for of Wycliffe’s teachings in areas where they had fled and sought refuge (Hornbeck, Stephen& Fiona). The Church of Rome exercised maximum control over the people of England during the Wycliffe’s time mostly in dictating common people’s lives not only from faith’s perspective (Lavinsky). This meant it was a requirement for each member of the society to express their loyalty to the church despite the wicked treatment they received and endured inflicted on them by church through its respective authorities (McDonald138). Consequently, this fuelled Wycliffe’s bravery in embracing the role of eradicating vices because they tarnished church’s reputation besides being against what the word expected of both the Christians and spiritual leader to adhere. According to John Wycliffe, church’s mandate was to offer refuge and comfort to the poor and oppressed in the society but this was not the case when it came to roman church. As a result, Wycliffe contributed immensely towards revealing the then unpardonable wicked practices that misled people like begging friars (Taylo). This practise caused people undergo much mistreatment, hence compelling Wycliffe to speak anti the Roman church. In addition, this chance availed an appropriate chance for him to speak against the papacy and his roles in undermining Christianity (Phillips 24). Consequently, this caused tension as the church came out to defend itself and specifically relaying to the people it was playing its role as required, which was to protect people. However, this defence for Wycliffe‘s criticism whereby people having noticed it embraced his teachings because the mainstream for long had failed to be responsible (Phillips 25). He also emphasized the essence of people reading the bible for themselves instead of relying on cunning preachers who manipulated it to favour the church. According to Wycliffe, through faith and Holy Spirit the common people were capable of understanding the bible, hence increase their knowledge as far as religion was concerned (Hornbeck, Stephen& Fiona). During this time, the Bible was only available in Latin language, hence being a hindrance to numerous people read and understand it especially people who never knew its language. English during then and today acted as universal to numerous people whereby if the Bible was in this language many would understand as well as augment their knowledge concerning norms during then manipulated by the mainstream. This inspired Wycliffe to translate the bible into English language for people to understand it better and evade (Phillips 24). Wycliffe took an essential part to translate the New Testament into a language that can easily be understood by many people. According to Wycliffe, translation of the bible into English is important, because, it is known by many people (Phillips 24). More important, the bible will give the people new life. Translation of the bible enables the understanding of the value of Christianity; this strengthens Christian faith in the religion and encourages the acknowledgment of the faith itself (McDonald139). The translation of Scriptures into English inappropriately met opposition and persecution from the church. This is inappropriate of the church to curtail the spread of the gospel to the people. It demonstrates failure of the church in its roles that regards teaching the people of the values of the church and religion. John Wycliffe deepened his study of the bible and expresses his condemnation on the teaching of the church in areas that oppressed and mislead the people. His condemnation is directed against doctrine of transubstantiation to he also defied indulgences (Hornbeck, Stephen & Fiona). He also renounced the confessional with claims that the apostle do not use private confession, in support of this point, Wycliffe claims that private confessions is not ordered by Christ. It is evident that Wycliffe’s contribution is significant as it helped in the reviving the true doctrine of religion, in particular Christianity. Work cited Davis, John .Wyclifs Reformation Reputation." ll. n.p. n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2014. . Hornbeck, J P, Stephen E. Lahey & Fiona, Somerset. Wycliffite Spirituality. New York: Paulist Press, 2013. Print. Lavinsky, David. "After Wyclif: Lollard Biblical Scholarship and the English Vernacular." ll. n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2014. . McDonald, Lee M. Formation of the Bible: the Story of the Churchs Canon Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, 2012. Print. Phillips, Helen. Chaucer and Religion. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 2010. Print. Taylo, Lindsey. "Christian Science."Christian Science. n.p. 21 Nov. 2013. Web. 5 Apr. 2014. . Read More