The term "Protestant" was used in reference to those who protested some of the unbiblical beliefs and practices that had been embraced by the Roman Catholic religion-the religion for much of the world for more than one thousand years.
What was it about the Roman Catholic religion that people felt compelled to protest? You will find many reasons as you read about Martin Luther and the princes that stood with him in the early sixteenth century. However, the Protestant Reformation began at least two hundred years earlier:
IN THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY AROSE IN ENGLAND THE "MORNING STAR OF THE REFORMATION." JOHN WYCLIFFE [1328-1384] WAS THE HERALD OF REFORM, NOT FOR ENGLAND ALONE, BUT FOR ALL CHRISTENDOM. THE GREAT PROTEST AGAINST ROME WHICH IT WAS PERMITTED HIM TO UTTER WAS NEVER TO BE SILENCED. THAT PROTEST OPENED THE STRUGGLE WHICH WAS TO RESULT IN THE EMANCIPATION OF INDIVIDUALS, OF CHURCHES, AND OF NATIONS...WHEN WYCLIFFE'S ATTENTION WAS DIRECTED TO THE SCRIPTURES, he entered upon their investigation with the same thoroughness which had enabled him to master the learning of the schools. Heretofore he had felt a great want, which neither his scholastic studies nor the teaching of the church could satisfy. In the word of God he found that which he had before sought in vain. Here he saw the plan of salvation revealed and Christ set forth as the only advocate for man. He gave himself to the service of Christ and determined to proclaim the truths he had discovered.LIKE AFTER REFORMERS, WYCLIFFE DID NOT, AT THE OPENING OF HIS WORK, FORESEE WHITHER IT WOULD LEAD HIM. HE DID NOT SET HIMSELF DELIBERATELY IN OPPOSITION TO ROME. BUT DEVOTION TO TRUTH COULD NOT BUT BRING HIM IN CONFLICT WITH FALSEHOOD. THE MORE CLEARLY HE DISCERNED THE ERRORS OF THE PAPACY, THE MORE EARNESTLY HE PRESENTED THE TEACHING OF THE BIBLE. HE SAW THAT ROME HAD FORSAKEN THE WORD OF GOD FOR HUMAN TRADITION; HE FEARLESSLY ACCUSED THE PRIESTHOOD OF HAVING BANISHED THE SCRIPTURES, AND DEMANDED THAT THE BIBLE BE RESTORED TO THE PEOPLE AND THAT ITS AUTHORITY BE AGAIN ESTABLISHED IN THE CHURCH. He was an able and earnest teacher and an eloquent preacher, and his daily life was a demonstration of the truths he preached. His knowledge of the Scriptures, the force of his reasoning, the purity of his life, and his unbending courage and integrity won for him general esteem and confidence. Many of the people had become dissatisfied with their former faith as they saw the iniquity that prevailed in the Roman Church, and they hailed with unconcealed joy the truths brought to view by Wycliffe; but the papal leaders were filled with rage when they perceived that this Reformer was gaining an influence greater than their own.The Great Controversy, pp. 80-81
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