The Early Reformers PRPC Adult Sunday School, Fall 2009

Pre-Reformers? Traditional Historical Narrative –Early Church: Good –Medieval Church: Bad, Dark –Pre-Reformers: Morningstar –Luther: Dawn Is this right? –Is anyone who exhibits “reformed tendencies” in the Middle Ages then a Pre-Reformer?

Semper reformanda Always being reformed The church always needed some reform (still does!) The church had mechanisms in place to effect that reform –Local bishops and leaders –Gregory VII –Innocent III –Canon Law –Papal Power

Corruption of Leadership What happens when the structures which are in place to reform have themselves become corrupt and recalcitrant? Papacy Pope Curia (Court of Rome) Cardinals –Investiture –Councils –Laws –Adjudication

Voices for Reform Many Voices Calling for Reform Who will hear these voices? –Pope? Bishop? They tried –Council? They tried –Kings/Princes? Yes.

Kings, Queens, and Princes So the stage is set. Kings and Princes and their local, non- Prelate church leaders would have to serve as the leaders of the Reform, at a great risk to themselves because of their opposition to the powers-that- be –Wycliffe/Edward Wales, John of Gaunt –Hus/Vaclav –Luther/Frederick III –Cranmer/Henry VIII –Bucer/von Sickingen –Calvin/Francis?, Genevan City Council –Knox/Lairds

Wycliffe and Hus Story of two local reformers who tried to make their voices heard –Anti-Papacy –Pro-Scripture –Early Church emphasis –Local over Roman

John Wycliffe – Oxford Theologian and Pastor –Robert Grosseteste – Bishop of Lincoln Oxford Theologian –Bonaventure – Paris Theologian Cardinal Bishop of Albano Minister General OFM These types were able to be bishops at this time –RG Clashed w/pope over local appointments –RG believed Pope was the problem with the church –Emphasis on pastoral care Training parish pastors

Local Royal Support By Wycliffe’s time men of his mindset were no longer able to be bishops –Challenge Papacy –Local Emphasis So he needed support from local rulers –Edward Wales –John of Gaunt These local powers protected Wycliffe and allowed him to preach his message of reform

Wycliffe’s Reform Agenda Royal Authority over the local church Common Language Scripture Parish Education –Chaucer connection Eucharist Philosophical Realism

14 th Century Prague Czech Nationalism Charles IV HRE Prague Reform Patron: Charles –Preaching –Liturgy –Bible Translation –Utraquism –Frequent Communion –Paedocommunion –Morals

Jan Hus – c Luther to the Czechs Educated in Prague –Heir to the Prague Reform –Deeply influenced by Wycliffe University Theologian and Pastor –Rector of Prague U. –Pastor of Bethlehem Chapel

Bethlehem Chapel Founded by patrons of the Prague Reform Obtained a special charter from the Church –Allowed preaching in vernacular on a regular basis

Bethlehem Chapel Founded by patrons of the Prague Reform Obtained a special charter from the Church –Allowed preaching in vernacular on a regular basis –In Hus’ time served like a regular Parish Church with full vernacular liturgy and Eucharist

Bethlehem Chapel Founded by patrons of the Prague Reform Obtained a special charter from the Church –Allowed preaching in vernacular on a regular basis –In Hus’ time served like a regular Parish Church with full vernacular liturgy and Eucharist –Largest Chapel in all of Europe Like PRPC in many ways –Example of the kind of local church I’ve been talking about

Hus’ Theology Against the abuses of church leadership –Papacy –Bishops Utraquism Vernacular Liturgy Preaching Frequent Communion Training young pastors Love of Czech people Pastor’s heart

The Murder of the Prophets: The Devil’s Council Council of Constance ( ) Met to solve the Great Western Schism Also on the agenda was to deal with the voices of reform Hus was called to the council, promised safe conduct –It was a lie Immediately arrested upon arrival Tried at a kangaroo court –Though Hus had support from Czech Nobles, his King, Vaclav, was a degenerate Condemned falsely. Burned at the stake –July 6, 1415 Wycliffe was condemned posthumously, exhumed and burned in Britain

Hus’ Impact Hussites –Nearly won freedom from Church/Empire –Poland, Bohemia, and Moravia Reformers –Looked to Hus as a hero and example –Much of the life of Hus is repeated in Luther Cirkev Bratska Vatican II His Martyr Blood