October 13 – John Colet: Calling England Back to the Bible

In the years leading up to the Reformation, God raised up voices across Europe to call His people back to the authority of His Word. In England, one of the most significant was John Colet, a scholar and preacher whose ministry prepared the soil for the gospel’s rediscovery. Though not as radical as Wycliffe or as courageous as Tyndale, Colet urged his nation to return to the Scriptures and live in obedience to Christ.

Early Life and Education

John Colet was born in London in 1467, the son of a wealthy merchant. His family’s fortune gave him access to excellent education. He studied at Oxford, where he excelled in philosophy and theology. Later, he traveled through France and Italy, immersing himself in Renaissance humanism, with its call to return to the original sources of knowledge (ad fontes).

While abroad, Colet encountered scholars like Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola, who encouraged the study of the early church fathers. He returned to England with a passion to reform theology and preaching, not by inventing new ideas but by going back to the Bible and the writings of the early church.

Preacher of Reform

In 1496, Colet was ordained as a priest and began teaching at Oxford. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he taught directly from the New Testament, especially Paul’s epistles, which he explained in their original context. His lectures were a breath of fresh air in an academic environment dominated by medieval scholasticism.

Colet’s preaching ministry was equally groundbreaking. He became Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London in 1505, one of the most influential pulpits in England. There, he denounced clerical corruption, greed, and the moral decay of the church. His sermons were not abstract theology but direct applications of Scripture to life.

Theology and Convictions

Colet’s theology did not fully break from the Catholic Church, but it foreshadowed the Reformation in important ways:

• Return to Scripture: Colet urged his hearers to ground their faith in the Bible rather than in human tradition.

• Moral Reform: He condemned the immorality of the clergy and called for holiness of life.

• Christ-Centered Preaching: He emphasized Paul’s teaching on grace and the centrality of Christ’s work.

• The Church as God’s People: He reminded his listeners that the church is not merely an institution but a community called to obedience.

While Colet did not articulate justification by faith alone as Luther would later do, he clearly prepared the way by pointing people to Paul’s writings and the gospel of Christ.

Influence on Others

Colet was not only a preacher but also an influencer of future reformers. His friendship with Erasmus was particularly significant. Erasmus stayed with Colet in London and admired his commitment to Scripture and moral reform. William Tyndale, too, was shaped by the biblical humanism that Colet promoted.

One of Colet’s most lasting contributions was his emphasis on education. In 1512, he founded St. Paul’s School in London, dedicated to training boys in both classical learning and biblical truth. The school’s motto was “Discipulus est Christi”—“He is a disciple of Christ.” This school would influence generations of English Christians.

Opposition and Challenges

Despite his sharp criticisms of the clergy, Colet managed to avoid condemnation for heresy, perhaps because of his social standing and connections. Some accused him of sympathizing with heretics, but he remained within the Catholic Church until his death in 1519.

Legacy

John Colet did not live to see the English Reformation, but he helped prepare its ground. By returning to Scripture, calling out corruption, and promoting education rooted in Christ, he helped shape the spiritual climate in which Tyndale, Cranmer, and others would later lead reform.

His legacy endures not because he founded a movement but because he faithfully preached God’s Word in a time of darkness.

Biblical Reflection

Colet’s ministry reflects James 1:22:

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

He insisted that hearing the Scriptures was not enough—believers must obey them. His sermons echoed this call again and again.

Application for Today

John Colet challenges us in several ways:

1. Return to the Word – Colet’s call to return to Scripture is timeless. We too must measure our beliefs and practices by the Bible alone.

2. Call Out Corruption – Like Colet, we must not shy away from addressing sin, even within the church. True reform begins with repentance.

3. Invest in the Next Generation – His founding of St. Paul’s School shows the importance of raising children in the knowledge of Christ and His Word.

Conclusion

John Colet may not have carried the gospel torch as far as others, but he was a crucial link in the chain of reform. By preaching Christ, exposing corruption, and returning to the Scriptures, he helped awaken a nation to its need for renewal. His life still challenges us to be not only hearers but doers of the Word, shining the light of Christ into a dark world.