John Wycliffe: The Morning Star of the Reformation

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the life of John Wycliffe, the 14th-century Oxford philosopher and priest often characterized as the "Morning Star" of the English Reformation,. We explore his controversial career as a dissident who attacked the wealth of the church, argued against the temporal rule of the clergy, and called for the royal divestment of ecclesiastical property through his theory of "dominion",. Listen in as we discuss his theological battles, including his rejection of transubstantiation and his fierce criticism of the papacy and monastic orders,. We also examine his legacy regarding the translation of the Bible into Middle English—a project traditionally attributed to him, though modern scholars debate the extent of his direct involvement,. Finally, we cover the dramatic aftermath of his life, from the rise of his "Lollard" followers to the Council of Constance declaring him a heretic, resulting in his bones being exhumed and burned decades after his death,.