| BibleFacts |
Medieval Dissenters and Heretical Groups |
On Church History |
| Group | Characteristic Teachings | Notable Facts |
| Pauicians |
Dualistic, Docetic Emphasized epistles of Paul similar to teachings of Marcion. Old Testament and epistles of Peter rejected. All external religious exercises rejected, extremely ascetic |
Began in 7th century.
Declined in 12th century. Were restricted to Eastern church. Were persecuted by Eastern church. |
| Bogomils | Dualistic, Ascetic,
Sabellian view of Trinity Rejected sacraments |
Were outgrowth of Euchites. Became prominent in Eastern Europe. |
| Cathari (Patarenes, Albigensians) |
Dualistic, Docetic,
rejected sacraments,
extremely ascetic; opposed
marriage
similar to Manichaeans. Believed themselves the only true church divided into Perfect (only ones saved) and Believers Believed in reincarnation, rejected purgatory, indulgences, often practiced suicide by starvation Pacifistic |
Began early 11th century. Were outgrowth of Paulicians and Bogomils. Followers were burned at stake throughout Europe. Their greatest strength was in southern France. Were targets of the Inquisition and several crusades. |
| Waldensians |
Simple communal lifestyle. Preached Scripture in vernacular.
Emphasized Sermon on the Mount. Encouraged
lay preaching. Permitted women preachers. Denied purgatory |
Were founded by Peter Waldo
(d. c.1215). Began in southern France. Were also called Poor Men of Lyons. Were anathematized for preaching without church’s consent. Were persecuted in northern Italy, Austria. Accepted Reformation in 1532. |
| Lollards |
Encouraged lay preachers and the use of Bible in English. Pacifistic, condemned pilgrimages, auricular confession, and veneration of images. Denied purgatory, priestly celibacy, and transubstantiation. |
Were followers of John Wycliffe. Some were martyred, but many recanted when put on trial. |
| Hussites |
Emphasized authority of
Scripture over church demanded partaking of cup by laity denied transubstantiation, veneration of saints, indulgences, auricular confession read Scripture in vernacular |
Were followers of John Huss.
Later became known as Unitas Fratrum or Bohemian Brethren.
Five crusades were directed against them. Council of Basel made compromise settlement with Hussites. Were influenced by Waldensians. Are perpetuated today in form of Moravian church. |