Wycliffe's issues with the Roman Catholic Church

W issue #1 - Wycliffe took the new definition of the church on earth not as those under authority of a Catholic parish & in good standing with the pope but the whole number of God’s elect. This doctrine is then called the Invisible Church of the Elect as its numbers are not necessarily everyone in the visible church & not necessarily excluding those who are not in the visible church

W issue #2 - This Bible is for the government of the people, by the people & for the people.

W issue #2 - Where Popes said because Peter died in Rome the Roman Bishop was lord over all other bishops. Wycliffe exposed this senseless logic by saying if Christ died in Jerusalem why is the Jerusalem Bishop not Pope over all? Thus revealing the papal institution as antichrist (a man exalting himself into Christ’s authority) as Christ is the only true head of church, arbiter (& advocate) between God & man

W issue #3 - Wycliffe had a very “apostolic poverty” view of the papacy, he insisted anyone who sits in St Peter’s chair should be like an Apostle without silver of gold. Wycliffe’s “Bible Papacy” consisted of a poor & humble life spent in service of the church, setting before God’s people an example of Christian goodness. A pope should be the shepherd of the flock of God & preacher who brings men to Christ.

            W issue #3 - One of the ideas Hus & Wycliffe shared was the Papal trappings of power, wealth & grandeur which departed from the simple faith & practice of Christ & his disciples.  “Christ lived in poverty, Popes labor for worldly magnificence. Christ refused temporal dominion, the Pope seeks for it.”

W issue #3 - He also continued Wycliffe’s charge against Papal indulgences where Pope rode a mighty horse Christ walked; where Jesus washed the disciples feet the Pope preferred to have his feet kissed.