Efforts for reforms made by Martin Luther and John Wycliffe

Type :

Term papers

Pages :

7 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

03/20/2009

Category :

History & geography

Sub category :

Medieval history

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Summary :

Introduction
Luther's theory and reforming the church
Wycliffe's motivation for creating a reform movement
Differences of motivation and their respective movements
Differences in the ideology
External factors relating to the spread of Luther's theology
Conclusion
Bibliography

Abstract

The English reformist john wycliffe (c. 1320-1384) was an important precursor to the Reformation movement, headed by martin luther (c. 1483-1546). wycliffe attempted to rid England of many of the same problems in the Roman Catholic Church that luther would target in Germany over a century later. However, due to a few key differences in motivation, theology, dissemination of ideas and external factors, wycliffe's movement did not significantly alter the way religion was practiced in Europe. The purpose of this essay is to examine the similarities and differences between wycliffe's late 14th century movement and luther's early 16th century movement and their respective impacts on the Roman Catholic Church in Britain and Germany. luther and wycliffe had similar upbringings. luther, the son of a miner, was taught early the dignity and godliness of a life of poverty and hard work. wycliffe also came from meager beginnings. Both received university educations and afterward they became harsh critics of the scholastic methods they were taught.