Dead folk you should know: Wycliffe

How good is it to have the Bible translated in to our own language? This has not always been the case. Colin Reed has kindly written about a key leader in translating the Bible in to English in the 14th Century:

"‘Holy Scripture is the pre-eminent authority for every Christian, the rule of faith and of all human perfection’, wrote John Wycliffe, an Oxford University scholar and parish minister (died 1384).

By 1300 the Roman Catholic Church had replaced the earlier British/Irish/Scottish church. It had become wealthy and politically powerful. Wycliffe lamented the ‘human additions and statutes’ in its teaching. The Bible and the services were in Latin, though no-one now spoke it. People had to look to the priests to explain the meaning. In effect, the Church set its authority over the Bible.

Wycliffe saw that the answer to all these problems was for people to have the Bible in their everyday language, an early form of English.

He wrote, ‘Christ and his apostles taught the people in the language most familiar to them’ and ‘As doctrines of our Faith are in the Scriptures, believers should have the Scriptures in a language they fully understand’. Wycliffe and those he worked with had only the Latin Bible and from that, translated the first ever entire Bible in English. He also suggested guidelines for reading the Bible:

• read a reliable version

• understand the ‘big picture’ of the Bible

• read humbly, seeking God

• receive the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to interpret the Word.

Wycliffe then sought a team of people who would travel around and teach God’s Word. A later generation of translators and reformers was inspired by his example.

We praise God for the availability of the Bible in our language; do we read it and meditate on it? Is it preached? Be encouraged to read God’s Word daily. Support the ongoing work of Bible translation, including into Aboriginal languages - only one has the entire Bible - and pray for faithful teaching and preaching of the Word."

We stand in John Wycliffe’s debt! May we love and proclaim the Scriptures!

Grace and Peace,
Mark