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History > What Is In A Name? John Wycliffe Have you ever wondered where the name Wycliffe (wik'lif) came from? Who is John Wycliffe?  Wycliffe
Bible Translators is named after John Wycliffe, a 14th century theologian
and philosopher. He often found himself in the midst of controversy with
the church. His greatest accomplishment was the translation of the Scriptures
into English from the Latin Vulgate. This is why Wycliffe Bible Translators
bears his name.The church in Wycliffe's time was a dominant force in all areas of life. John Wycliffe was critical of the church's abuse of power. This criticism made him popular with the secular government which prevented the church from condemning Wycliffe and charging him with heresy. When his political power diminished, Wycliffe withdrew from the public spotlight. In the last seven years of his life Wycliffe developed his doctrine concerning the Church, the Eucharist, and the Scriptures. He risked even greater persecution from the church. During this time of opposition Wycliffe made his greatest contribution to Christianity by translating the Scriptures into the English language, the language of the people. Wycliffe wrote about why he translated the Scriptures: "Christ and His Apostles taught the people in the language best known to them. It is certain that the truth of the Christian faith becomes more evident the more faith itself is known. Therefore, the doctrine should not only be in Latin but in the vulgar tongue, the more these are known in a true sense the better. Believers should have the Scriptures in a language which they fully understand." The translation of Scriptures into English unfortunately met with great opposition and persecution from the church. Despite all the controversy, the church was unable to excommunicate him. Wycliffe died peacefully at his home after suffering a severe stroke. After his death, his teachings were repressed and over-powered in England. His followers were forced to flee, but as they fled they spread his teachings. The controversy grew so intense that almost fifty years after his death, Wycliffe's body was exhumed from the grave, his remains burned, and his ashes scattered into the Swift River. Although this act was meant to desecrate and condemn Wycliffe and his teachings, the scattering of his ashes became symbolic of the increasing and far-reaching effect of his life's work. There is a lot of history in the name "Wycliffe Bible Translators". It is the man behind the name who saw the importance of translating the Word of God into a language that the people could understand. Centuries later, it is this same vision that Wycliffe Bible Translators holds, to translate the Word of God into the languages that the peoples of the world understand. John Wycliffe and those who followed him sacrificed much to give the Scriptures to the people. We have a tremendous gift, the Word of God. It's time that we give it to the world. |
What Is In
A Name