Hus, John (1372-1415)
Place of Birth: Husinec, Bohemia
Description: Bohemian reformer
Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees from U. of Prague
Occupations and Christian Work: Lectured at U. of Prague on theology (1396); ordained a Catholic priest (1402); rector of U. of Prague; powerful preacher at Bethlehem Chapel
Experience of Persecution: Loyal to R.C. Church, but appreciated Wycliffe's ideas on church reform and translated his Trialogues; preached Wycliffe's views, creating a popular movement, Hussitism; leader of national Bohemian party at university; branded a heretic; the nation rallied around him; excommunicated, continued to teach and preach
Beliefs and Teachings: Wrote Of the Church (1413) attacking transubstantiation, submission to the pope, belief in saints, efficacy of priestly absolution, unconditional obedience to earthly rulers, simony; maintained that the Scriptures are the sole rule of faith
Further Persecution: Summoned to Council of Constance (1414) and promised safe passage by king, emperor, and pope; prosecuted, condemned, imprisoned, burned at stake (1415)
Writings: Of the Church (1413)
Biographies: Matthew Spinka, John Hus' Concept of the Church, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1966; Matthew Spinka, John Hus at the Council Of Constance, New York: Columbia University Press, 1965
