October 5 – The Lollards: Carriers of the English Bible

When John Wycliffe died in 1384, many believed his influence would vanish with him. But the Lord had already kindled a movement that would not be extinguished. His followers, known as the Lollards, became torchbearers of truth in medieval England. They carried the Scriptures in their own language, preached in marketplaces, and endured fierce persecution—all for the sake of Christ and His Word.

Who Were the Lollards?

The name “Lollard” likely came from a derogatory term meaning “mumblers” or “idle talkers.” It was meant to insult them as unlearned babblers. But what their enemies mocked, the Lollards bore as a badge of honor. These men and women were not professional clergy but ordinary believers—farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and even women—who treasured the English Scriptures Wycliffe had translated.

They believed the Bible belonged to the people, not locked away in Latin on monastery shelves. Armed with handwritten portions of Scripture, they traveled in pairs across the countryside, reading aloud from God’s Word and explaining its meaning.

Their Theology

The Lollards were shaped by Wycliffe’s convictions, and their theology anticipated the Reformation:

• The Authority of Scripture: They insisted that the Bible, not the Pope or councils, was the highest authority.

• Salvation by Grace: They rejected indulgences, pilgrimages, and rituals as means of salvation, pointing instead to faith in Christ alone.

• The Priesthood of All Believers: They believed every Christian had access to God through Christ and could minister His Word.

• Simple Worship: They opposed prayers to saints, images, and the mass as unbiblical additions.

This was radical in a world where questioning the sacraments or papal authority could mean death.

Courage Under Fire

The church and crown considered the Lollards dangerous heretics. In 1401, Parliament passed the law De heretico comburendo (“On the burning of heretics”), making it legal to execute those who denied official teaching. Many Lollards paid with their lives.

One notable martyr was William Sawtrey, burned at the stake in 1401 for rejecting transubstantiation. Others were imprisoned, tortured, or forced to recant publicly. Still, the movement endured. Secret gatherings were held in homes, barns, and fields where Scripture was read and explained.

The Lollards’ courage shone in the face of fear. They knew the cost, yet they valued God’s Word more than their lives.

Seeds That Bore Fruit

Though heavily persecuted, the Lollards planted seeds that bore fruit in the sixteenth century. Their English Bibles and underground meetings kept alive the hunger for God’s Word. When William Tyndale later produced his printed English New Testament, he built on the foundation the Lollards had laid.

The historian J.A. Wylie wrote, “The Lollards formed a bridge between Wycliffe and the Reformation.” Without their faithfulness, the Reformation might not have found such fertile soil in England.

Biblical Reflection

Their lives echo the words of Colossians 3:16:

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another.”

The Lollards did exactly this. They treasured the Word, shared it with one another, and let it dwell richly in their hearts.

Application for Today

The Lollards challenge us in at least three ways:

1. Value the Word of God – They risked everything to read and share Scripture. We own multiple Bibles yet often neglect them. Will we treasure the Word as they did?

2. Speak the Truth Boldly – They preached in marketplaces and homes despite the threat of death. Will we be courageous to speak Christ in a culture hostile to truth?

3. Faithfulness in Obscurity – The Lollards were not famous scholars or leaders. They were ordinary Christians. Yet their faithfulness shaped history. Do we believe God can use our obedience in the same way?

Conclusion

The Lollards remind us that the gospel advances not merely through great leaders but through countless ordinary believers who take God’s Word seriously. They carried Scripture across England, leaving behind a testimony of courage and conviction. Their lives still speak today: the Word of God is worth living for, and it is worth dying for.