On the Truth of Holy Scripture

by John Wycliffe

Wyclif sought the restoration of an idealized past even if that meant taking revolutionary steps in the present to recover what had been lost. His 1377-78 On the Truth of Holy Scripture represents such an effort in reform: the recognition of the inherent perfection and veracity of the Sacred Page which serves as the model for daily conduct, discourse, and worship, thereby forming the foundation upon which Christendom itself is to be ordered.

Genres: Theology

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

John Wycliffe (also spelled Wyclif, Wycliff, Wiclef, Wicliffe, Wickliffe; c. 1331 - 1384) was an English Scholastic philosopher, theologian, lay preacher, translator, reformer and university teacher at Oxford in England. He was an influential dissident in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. His followers were known as Lollards, a somewhat rebellious movement, which preached anticlerical and biblically-centred reforms. The Lollard movement was a precursor to the Protestant Reformation. He has been characterized as the evening star of scholasticism and the Morning Star of the Reformation. He was one of the earliest opponents of papal authority over secular power.

Wycliffe was also an early advocate for translation of the Bible into the common language. He completed his translation, now known as Wycliffe's Bible, directly from the Vulgate into vernacular English in the year 1382. It is probable that he personally translated the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; and it is possible he translated the entire New Testament, while his associates translated the Old Testament. Wycliffe's Bible appears to have been completed by 1384, with additional updated versions being done by Wycliffe's assistant John Purvey and others in 1388 and 1395.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wyc...

Reviews

[James Horgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely a tough read. How Wyclif rambles around. Who knows what he got up to in the bits omitted in this translation?

Certainly the book shows his gaze moving to the Scriptures as the fount of all authority, marking a path for other reformers to follow. He did not get all the way there but was a trailblazer beyond whom others progressed.

His writing is deeply scholastic. Indeed, he is regarded as the most scholastic of schoolmen. No doubt a grounding in mediaeval philosophy (which I don't have) would make reading this easier.

It is a pity the many extent Wycliffite sermons are only available in Middle English. They would likely be a more fun read!

[Frederick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonably interesting if you can follow the great man's arguments. Some of the more interesting phrases are, when talking about reading the Bible, he says, "Holy Scripture is a nest for Christ's faithful chicks." (p. 111) Also, his refusal to accept, "any science or conclusion to which Scripture does not bear witness," is part of a very insightful section. (p. 129) He also allows that Scripture is a hindrance to heresy if the Scriptures are ready properly. There are many other things that are hard to understand or disagreeable but he was still a faithful Catholic, no matter his views on the Bible or his refusal to worship the Pope. I think this is an important read.