Jumpstarter 9 of 10

Direct Answer In Bercot’s presentation, Wycliffe’s absolute predestination makes repentance effectively impossible for the damned and turns human response into something fixed “of necessity,” which would drain urgency from warnings and obedience. The transcript doesn’t directly state how early Christians would respond, but it implies Kingdom-focused believers would object because they centered Christianity on practical, change-producing discipleship.

Support from Transcript:

• Wycliffe taught persons are “unalterably predestined” to life or damnation “before” birth, not based on foreknowledge but God’s “arbitrary decree.”
• He wrote: “Everything that will happen will happen of necessity,” and “if Paul is foreknown as damned, he cannot truly repent.”
• Bercot notes this doctrine was typical: “virtually all Augustinian reformers taught absolute predestination as a major plank.”
• He contrasts streams: Augustinian movements stressed theology, while Kingdom movements stressed “lifestyle,” suggesting repentance and obedience are central and meaningful.
• The Lollards’ later move toward Kingdom emphases (Bible study, preaching, nonviolence) illustrates a practical discipleship direction rather than a deterministic one.