John Wycliffe (theologian)

John Wycliffe was a 14th-century English theologian and scholar who challenged church practices and teachings, advocating for reform. He emphasized the importance of translating the Bible into vernacular languages, making it accessible to ordinary people to promote personal understanding of faith. Wycliffe believed Scripture should be the ultimate authority, not church hierarchy or tradition. His ideas laid groundwork for the Protestant Reformation, inspiring later reformers. Though controversial in his time, Wycliffe's efforts contributed significantly to religious thought and the democratization of Christian knowledge.