A Martyr Remembered Forever

John Hus….a name not many people are familiar with, though he accomplished so much during his lifetime(1369-1415). Ive been assigned to research this guy and figure out how he has contributed to history. What I thought was just going to be another dreaded essay, turned out to be an amazing learning experience for me. John Hus’s ideas may seem normal now, but in his age they were revolutionary enough to cause death. The fact that he is mostly forgotten outside his native Czech Republic is perhaps as great an injustice as his execution 591 years ago.

“For though he was solidly a man of his time and place, his ideas merit broad recognition. In fact, most of them ring so true that it seems amazing they were ever considered revolutionary.” -Elesha Coffman.

Hus believed pastors should live godly lives and preach vivid, accessible sermons. They should not make fortunes off of their ministries but should think of themselves as servants. Sounds like some basic seminary knowledge so far. He also questioned the existence of purgatory and rejected confession, worship of images, and complex religious rites. Hus was not content to merely preach against abuse, but he also taught the “…pure gospel of Christ,” that he found in the New Testament. He declared to his listeners that all Christians have the right and duty to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. This so-called “heretical” statement- would later lie at the heart of the Protestant Reformation. In 1415, Hus was ordered to appear before the Council of Constance to recant his teaching. And unfortunately, upon his arrival at Constance, he was thrown into prison. At his trial, he was allowed no defense. He was ordered to make his choice- recant and be imprisoned for life, or refuse and be burned alive. That sure sounds fair. Like Martin Luther did years after him, Hus refused to recant. He felt that to do so would be to abandon the gospel of Christ.

Wow! When actually having an opportunity to stay alive(even though he would be in jail for the rest of his life), he would rather die for what he believes. That is such a good example of how we should be living today. And we have it easy! He was going to be killed. We don’t have guns to our heads. The only thing that we can be afraid of….is ridicule. And I’ve been thinking…this guy KNEW he was going to die. I’m not going to die for telling my friends the good news of Jesus Christ. If that isn’t convicting I don’t know what is.

Hus’s legacy doesn’t stop there. After Hus was martyred, there were 3 groups of his followers: Taborites, Utraquist, and Moderates. The Moderates believed in the “heart religion” which had been practiced by the primitive Christians of the New Testament Era. To them the Christian faith was more than just a theological puzzle to be solved, more than just another means of organizing society, and more than a battle to be fought…it was a way of life laid down by Jesus Christ, himself. In March of 1457 – more than 500 years ago, a large group of Moderates gathered in the village of Kunwald, near the castle of Lititz in Bohemia, and formed a society which they first called the Brethren of the Law of Christ. Those who joined did not intend to become a separate church. They were perfectly content to remain within the established church; but Rome wouldn’t allow it. The Unitas Fratrum traces its roots back to this society – making the Moravian Church the oldest Protestant Church in continuous existence today.

Here’s part of an article I found about John Wesley, a guy who came in contact with many obstacles on his way to finding Christ. On his quest, he ventured upon some Moravians…

During the four-month voyage Wesley had a striking experience with some Moravian fellow passengers. These followers of John Huss had left Bohemia for Germany to escape persecution, and were now on their way to America.

"In the midst of the Psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the mainsail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began amongst the English. The Germans calmly sang on. I asked one of them afterwards, 'Was you not afraid?' He answered, 'I thank God, no.' I asked, 'But were not your women and children afraid?' He replied mildly, 'No; our women and children are not afraid to die.'"
Wesley saw that his own religion had not protected him from an intense fear of death. The Moravians had what he himself lacked. On landing he presented himself to the head of the Moravian community, and asked for help. The pastor asked bluntly, "Do you know Jesus Christ?"
"I paused and said, 'I know He is the Saviour of the world.' 'True,' he replied; 'but do you know he has saved you?' I answered, 'I hope He has died to save me.' He only added, 'Do you know yourself?' I said, 'I do,' But I fear they were vain words."
Wesley was impressed that the Moravians lived lives as careful as his, yet their life was one of peace and joy. He envied their gladness, which he lacked.

That’s only part of it. What he went through, and what he discovered about himself and God….is amazing. I totally encourage you to check it out here: http://www.guam.net:80/home/wresch/stories/churchhistory/11%20John%20Wesley%201.html
Its great stuff!!