Wycliffe's Attitude toward speculation

Wycliffe's fundamental principle of the preexistence in thought of all reality involves the most serious obstacle to freedom of the will; the philosopher could assist himself only by the formula that the free will of man was something predetermined of God. He demanded strict dialectical (In classical philosophy, dialectic (Greek: διαλεκτική) is controversy: the exchange of arguments and counter-arguments respectively advocating propositions (theses) and counter-propositions (antitheses). The outcome of the exercise might not simply be the refutation of one of the relevant points of view, but a synthesis or combination of the opposing assertions, or at least a qualitative transformation in the direction of the dialogue.[1][2] The presupposition of a dialectical dialogue is that the participants share at least some meanings and principles of valid inference, even if they do not agree.) training as the means of distinguishing the true from the false, and asserted that logic (or the syllogism) furthered the knowledge of catholic verities; ignorance of logic was the reason why men misunderstood Scripture, since men overlooked the connection – the distinction between idea and appearance. Wycliffe was not merely conscious of the distinction between theology and philosophy, but his sense of reality led him to pass by scholastic questions. He left aside philosophical discussions which seemed to have no significance for the religious consciousness and those which pertained purely to scholasticism: "we concern ourselves with the verities that are, and leave aside the errors which arise from speculation on matters which are not."
The Council of Constance declared Wycliffe (on 4 May 1415) a stiff-necked heretic and under the ban of the Church. It was decreed that his books be burned and his remains be exhumed. The latter did not happen until twelve years afterward, when at the command of Pope Martin V they were dug up, burned, and the ashes cast into the River Swift, which flows through Lutterworth.


Tyndale did not think of proving the divinity of the Bible by learned dissertations. ‘Scripture derives its authority from Him who sent it,’ he said. ‘Would you know the reason why men believe in Scripture? It is Scripture. — It is itself the instrument which outwardly leads men to believe, whilst inwardly, the spirit of God Himself, speaking through Scripture, gives faith to His children.’



Burning Wycliffe's bones, from John Foxe's Book of Martyrs (1563)

Uh...do you have a thought on the subject or should we argue with a text book entry?

the word of God as written in the Scriptures is relevant because people believe it is the word of God.


a is a my friend...don't over think it.

Yes I do have a thought on it. It has to do with procedure. Many people understand the word of god as an active ingredient like in a bread recipe. I myself use to think it was this way. Unconsciously, I believed that it had a magical quality to it, like yeast making the bread rise. But after more research I guess I began to be more reasonable about it. It has to do with the way I misappropriated it, as though it could by its own power, cause people to become aware of spiritual things. This became problematic as I was giving the words of scripture an equal standing with god. As though it existed beside God as a dualism ( an equal) beside God. I no longer believe this. After thinking about it and looking at the scriptural references about god working in the history of people whether in groups or individually I see that the word of god is nothing without the presence of god. God always works through his word but when he works he is always present to convince people of the truth of his words. Think about Wycliffe words as he states the following: Scripture derives its authority from Him, who sent it,’ he said. ‘Would you know the reason why men believe in Scripture? It is Scripture. — It is itself the instrument which outwardly leads men to believe, whilst inwardly, the spirit of God Himself, speaking through Scripture, gives faith to His children.’
Without an instrument a surgeon can do little. But with the right instrument the surgeon can proceed to help make a sick person better. The word of god is an instrument and nothing without the physician.
Now the second half of Wycliffe’s statement I take issue with. He says at the end that, the spirit of God Himself, speaking through Scripture, gives faith to His children. This sounds more like what Calvin and Luther said centuries latter. This is not scripturally correct. It has to be that we exhibit faith on our own. But to be fair to Wycliffe he was being sensitive to the problem of how we might assume works as a merit. Remember Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace are you saved…. and that no of yourselves…not of works, lest any one should boast of his own merits toward salvation. So he remains convinced that faith is a gift rather than something we exercise on our own. However, this would make our salvation solely dependent on god. If this is so then all things are predetermined and free will non-existent. Do you agree?

God gave man free will that means man can change his mind, giving man the power too choose wat he wills is both an honor and privilage for man not beleing in God is the wrong one.

The scriptures says that we are dead in tresspasses and sins and therefore are unable of our own freewill to make the choice to come to god. Ephesians 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions ...
And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; American Standard Version And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, Futhermore Jesus said unless the father draws people they cannot on their own will come to him. John 6:44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me ...
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the ... No man comes to me, unless my Father draw him - No man can believe in ...

Listen to Dawn.. she doesn't over think ANYTHING, trust me.