Wyclif: Scripture above Tradition, Councils and Popes; Condemnation at Constance

At first Wyclif accepted the Church and tradition as guides for interpreting Scripture, but he became increasingly convinced that much in "Christian tradition" contradicted the Bible. In On the Truth of Holy Scripture (1378) he called the Bible the supreme standard by which the church, tradition, councils and even popes must test their actions. Scripture contains everything necessary for salvation and is given to the faithful people, not as a monopoly of the clergy; hence the translation of the Bible into English and the "poor preachers." In 1415 the Council of Constance condemned Wyclif's propositions and burned Jan Hus, and in 1428 Wyclif's remains were dug up and burned.