John Wycliffe Divine Intervention

by Jonathon Wright

“T he steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way,” (Psalms 37:23, NKJV).

John Wycliffe (1324-1384) was born in Wycliffe, Yorkshire, England, and was named after the city of his birth. He, like most boys in England, was surrounded by religious hypocrisy and social upheaval. When he was a young adult, some representatives of the Catholic Church collected five times the amount of taxes necessary. Wycliffe opposed such unjust actions in the church and stood up for the poor man. The church saw him interfering with their business.

As time further progressed, he spoke and wrote about other evils and false doctrines in the church. Later, he would translate the Bible into English and believed the Bible was for the “common man.” This idea was another strike against him. The church did not appreciate uneducated men questioning its interpretation of scripture. Several councils in the Catholic Church formed to discuss the matter. However, they did not condemn him as a heretic until after his death. There are four main reasons for this which show God’s work in his life.

First, God surrounded him with friends and a university that would protect him. A friend named John Gault was a distant heir to the throne of England and offered him some immunity. Furthermore, his connection with Oxford College provided a measure of protection. Many Renaissance philosophers came out of Oxford. The ever-changing philosophies of life enabled him to be bold in his stance against the church. God sure does have a way of putting the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

Second, one of the last councils that met to discuss Wycliffe adjourned due to an earthquake. It later became known as the Earthquake Synod. This further delayed the proceedings regarding his trials.

Third, God enabled Wycliffe to survive the Black Plague of Death. He had a conversion experience with the Lord during this time. Also, the problems associated with the Plague delayed his getting a doctorate by many years. It was not until after he received his doctorate that the church came after him. If the Lord had not moved in his life and saved his soul, he would not have thought to be a pastor or translate the Bible. He definitely would not have been the Wycliffe we know.

Fourth, Wycliffe would suffer health problems toward the end of his life. Even though these problems led to his death, the timing could not have come at a more opportune time. All the pieces of his work were in place and continue even today. Because his life was declining, they did not have the heart to go after him. People rallied to support him. Many years later, they convicted him as a heretic, but it was too little too late. Sometimes it is hard to recognize God’s hand in the events of our lives. We just trust that He cares and is watching over us. May we all commit to being the good people He has called us to be.

About The Author

Jonathon Wright currently lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has been a member of the Church of God for about twenty years. He is a graduate of Lee University and Beacon University where he earned a BA and MA in Biblical Studies. He loves studying the Bible and has done so for over thirty years, but only now has God given him a desire and the opportunity to be a writer. He is currently beginning the process of writing a book on Genesis entitled, God’s Good Prophetic Plan: From Beginning to End.