Summers: Wycliffe's dominion founded in grace

Monday, December 31, 2018
    Commemoration of John Wycliffe, Reformer, 1384
Meditation:
    Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
    —Romans 13:1 (NIV)
Quotation:
    [John] Wycliffe’s doctrine of “dominion founded in grace” was a peculiar feature of his system. He taught that God, as the great feudal superior of the universe, allotted to all earthly authorities their rule in fief as subject to Himself. The priesthood was not an office of dominion, but of service, and its prerogatives ceased when service was not rendered. Dominion was not granted to one person as God’s Vicar on earth, but the King was as much God’s Vicar as the Pope; nay, every Christian held his rights immediately of God.
    ... W. H. Summers, Our Lollard Ancestors, London: National Council of Evangelical Free Churches, 1904, p. 28 (see the book)
    See also Rom. 13:1-7; Ps. 2:7-12; Pr. 8:15-16; Dan. 2:19-23; John 19:11
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, You are the sole source of authority. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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