Wyclif John

John Wyclif was an English theologian, priest, and scholar, who lived from 1330 to 1384. John Wycliffe (also spelled Wyclif or Wiclif) was an English theologian, philosopher, and reformer who lived in the 14th century. 

He is often called the "Morning Star of the Reformation" for his early efforts to reform the Roman Catholic Church. Wycliffe was a professor at the University of Oxford and became known for his criticism of the church's wealth, hierarchy, and practices. 

He argued for the supremacy of the Bible over church tradition and called for the translation of the Bible into the vernacular language so that ordinary people could read it. 

Wycliffe's ideas were controversial, and he was posthumously condemned as a heretic by the church. Despite this, his teachings had a lasting impact and influenced later reformers, including John Huss and Martin Luther.

He is known for:

Translating the Bible into Middle English: Wyclif is famous for translating the Bible into Middle English, which was a significant event in the history of the English language.

Critique of the medieval Church: Wyclif condemned the practices of the medieval Church, citing many of the same abuses that would later be addressed by other reformers.

Proto-reformer: Wyclif is recognized as a proto-reformer as many of his claims and objections were voiced first by Jan Hus and then by later reformers such as Martin Luther, who took them further, sparking the Protestant Reformation.

Association with John of Gaunt: Wyclif served as a clerical advisor to John of Gaunt, the son of Edward III, who was the wealthiest and most influential man in England.

Treatises on dominion: Wyclif wrote treatises on dominion, in which he argued that dominion, or the right to exercise authority and hold property, is held from God and is a right that God limits to those in sanctifying grace.