Six hundred, twenty–four years and one day ago — on New Year’s Eve in 1384 — John Wycliffe died. 

In church history he is known as the “Morning Star of the Reformation,” the star which appeared early in the sky before the dawning day of the Reformation.  His appearing indicated that the Reformation was not far off; soon the light of the Reformation would break over Europe… & then over all of the world.

Among several other great achievements, Wycliffe was the man responsible for the very first translation of the entire Bible into the English language. 

In fact, he’s also called “The Father of English Prose,” because of the clarity and popularity of his writings and sermons, that did so much to shape our language today.

But his accomplishments were not appreciated by the pre–reformation church of his day.  As copies of his writings and his English translation of the Bible spread, officials of the medieval church ordered them banned and burned. 

In fact, denied the opportunity to martyr Wycliffe himself, the pre–reformation church even went so far as to exhume his body 44 years after his death, burn his bones, and scatter the ashes in a nearby river.  (Now that’s resentment!)

As the new year dawns, let us remember that this is also part of the continuing story of the true church:  a conviction that the Word of God is the only authoritative guide for Christian faith and practice… a conviction that every Christian has the right and privilege to know the Bible… and a conviction that when all the obscuring human innovations are cleared away, the Bible’s central message is that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.

If you haven’t been enjoying the Scriptures lately, now is a good time to start.  Go to the bottom of this page and click on the “Bible Reading Plans” link under “Sites of Interest.” Pick a plan that works for you, and start the new year off right.