Pre-Protestant Reformers

[Duvduv]

I think it is extremely interesting to note how important Jan Hus and John Wycliffe would have become had there been printing presses in their day. It is amazing that they were able to challenge the prevailing order even to the extent they did without access to any printing possibilities, including for a bible written in the local language and rejection of some features of Catholicism.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I think it is extremely interesting to note how important Jan Hus and John Wycliffe would have become had there been printing presses in their day. It is amazing that they were able to challenge the prevailing order even to the extent they did without access to any printing possibilities, including for a bible written in the local language and rejection of some features of Catholicism.

Paul's argument for justification by faith in Romans goes back to Abraham, showing that it is inherent to Scripture as a whole and not only a New Testament addition; and where Luther taught justification by faith, it was not he that was the first to do so. A B Emden, 'An Oxford Hall in Medieval Times', Oxford Univeristy Press, is a history of St Edmund Hall, and has material in it about the links between the followers of Wycliffe and of Hus.

 

[Duvduv]

I would imagine that Wycliffe was influenced by Aristotle and other later Christian philosophers, and he began to unravel things in the Catholic religion.

 

[straykat]

I would imagine that Wycliffe was influenced by Aristotle and other later Christian philosophers, and he began to unravel things in the Catholic religion.

Aristotle is what helped create the Catholic church as we know it. Via Aquinas..

If anything, the Reformers were trying to get away from the elaborations and scholasticism that became associated with all of that.. and stripped things down in simpler terms (especially by holding up scripture on it's own.. rather than relying on philosophy).

 

[Duvduv]

I am rather surprised that Wycliffe was able to emerge early without the benefit of access to printing or royal sponsorship/friendship.

 

[Duvduv]

On the other hand, his followers and the Waldensians could not have appeared out of nowhere. The Waldensians don't get the attention deserved, and must represent some earlier underground movements, which even Luther must have known about.
It must go without saying that had the Waldensians or the Lollards had access to the printing press, Protestantism would have been much different and not known in the names of Luther and Calvin.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

I think it is extremely interesting to note how important Jan Hus and John Wycliffe would have become had there been printing presses in their day. It is amazing that they were able to challenge the prevailing order even to the extent they did without access to any printing possibilities, including for a bible written in the local language and rejection of some features of Catholicism.

So true....