Reformation History: The Franciscan Reformation: Why the Protestant Reformation Began in 1209

In this episode, we look at a reform movement within the Roman Catholic Church that tried to bring about reform. Francis of Assisi and his friars aimed to be “new fools for Christ” by following the spirituality they found in Scripture rather than those models offered by church tradition. One group — the Franciscan Spirituals — increasingly favored the Bible over and against the papacy, eventually influencing John Wycliffe.