Two Moments, One Question: Power and Prophecy in Church History

I was reading a church bulletin the other day when a single line stopped me cold: "This Sunday: guest preacher." It was ordinary, but I noticed the name and, without thinking, tried to guess the gender. That tiny, automatic assumption is exactly the kind of thing church history shocks us out of — sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once.

Two events in one week that still ask us hard questions

In July a few years back, the Church of England's General Synod voted to allow women to become bishops — a decision that formalized a long, messy process of prayer, argument, and concession. Several centuries earlier, in July 1381, a priest named John Ball was executed after the Peasants' Revolt; he had preached that the Gospel made social hierarchies suspect, famously asking whether any man could be a lord over his fellow man when all are made by one God.

On the surface these are unrelated: one is a modern institutional reform, the other a brutal medieval suppression. But put them side by side and a pattern emerges. Both moments are about who speaks, who leads, and how the church lives out the claim that in Christ there is a new order.

The Church of England and the opening of episcopacy

After decades of debate, the Church of England's General Synod voted in 2014 to pass legislation enabling women to be bishops. That vote represented more than a change in personnel; it was a theological and pastoral reckoning with Scripture, tradition, and the experience of women in the life of the church. The very question — can a woman hold the highest pastoral office in a diocese? — forced the church to state what it believes about vocation and authority.

For many this was a long-awaited sign of justice and recognition of giftedness. For others it was a rupture with received practice. Both reactions are faithful in their own ways: faith that desires fidelity to the text and tradition, and faith that seeks to embody the Gospel's equalizing power.

John Ball: prophet, troublemaker, martyr?

John Ball walked and preached among the poor in the late 14th century. He used plain, provocative language: the message that God made all people equals under Christ was not a commentary on social policy for him — it was the core of the Gospel. That message, preached in the tense social moment of 1381, became part of the rhetoric of the Peasants' Revolt. Authorities responded harshly; Ball was captured and executed in July 1381.

We should be cautious reading modern categories into Ball. He was not a proto-socialist in current terms, nor simply a political insurgent. He was a preacher whose Christian convictions had undeniable social implications. The threat he posed was not merely to feudal lords but to any polity that relied on a gospel-less hierarchy.

What connects Libby Lane's consecration and John Ball's execution?

Two lines of connection matter: authority and the shape of Christian equality.

• Authority: Who speaks with pastoral and doctrinal weight in the church? The Synod's decision made clear that in the Church of England the answer can include women at the episcopal level. John Ball's preaching questioned whether any human authority should be treated as ultimate.
• Equality: Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." That verse doesn't erase difference, but it does flatten any claim that those differences justify exclusion from church life or ministry. Whether the struggle is for ordination or justice, the Gospel's radical leveling remains a challenge.

Neither moment gives us a clean answer for every context. Institutional decisions can be timid or courageous. Radical preaching can be prophetic or impractical. The point is not to pick winners but to listen: what is the Gospel calling us to in the messy here-and-now?

How Scripture frames our response

Scripture gives us two anchors. First, the inherent worth and unity of all people in Christ (Galatians 3:28). Second, the call to humility and service that reshapes leadership (Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves"). Together they refuse both a rigid hierarchy that excludes gifts and an egalitarianism that flattens responsibility.

That balance is messy. It means receiving change slowly sometimes and pushing for change boldly at other times. It means testing claims by Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. It also means listening to those who have been pushed to the edges of the conversation.

Practical reflections for church life

If these two historical moments bother or inspire you, here's how to let them shape your faith practices this week.

• Memorize Galatians 3:28 and work out one practical implication. For example: if you assume a leadership role, ask a woman in your church to co-lead a decision or teach a class.
• Listen to preaching from a leader whose voice you don't normally hear. If your local culture skewed one way, intentionally hear another. If you want ideas on new worship voices, see new worship generations for fresh direction.
• Study how the church has handled change before. Institutional reform often moves through prayer, argument, and pastoral care — none of which can be rushed without cost. Reading history helps temper impatience and guard against unthinking conservatism.
• Engage younger believers in honest conversation about vocation and authority; many of them live out faith where church and culture intersect, even in online spaces. For conversations and community online, consider how faith connects to hobbies like gaming at faith and gaming communities.

Key Takeaways

• The Church of England's 2014 decision to allow women bishops altered who holds visible authority but continues a longer theological conversation about vocation and gift.
• John Ball's execution in July 1381 shows that Gospel claims about equality can pose a real threat to unjust social orders.
• Galatians 3:28 and Philippians 2:3-4 provide complementary guides: equality of status in Christ and humility in leadership.
• Historical change and prophetic challenge both have a place in Christian discipleship; we must test both by Scripture, prayer, and wise counsel.
• Practical faith steps include listening to different voices, committing to Scripture memory, and inviting shared leadership in your local congregation.

FAQ

Who was John Ball and why was he executed?

John Ball was a cleric and preacher connected to the Lollard movement who became prominent during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. He preached that the Gospel confronted social hierarchies, and authorities saw his message as a threat to the existing order. After the revolt was suppressed, Ball was captured and executed.

When did the Church of England approve women bishops?

The General Synod of the Church of England voted to permit women to be consecrated as bishops in 2014, following long debate and several earlier developments in ordaining women at other levels of ministry. The first female bishops were consecrated the following year.

How should local churches handle disagreements about leadership roles?

Handle them with Scripture as the primary measure, patient listening, and practical experiments in shared leadership. Test proposals in prayer and with trusted counsel. Remember Philippians 2:3-4 as a posture for leaders and Galatians 3:28 as a theological horizon for inclusion.

A final practical step

Try this for the week: memorize Galatians 3:28, then take one small action that follows from it — invite someone you seldom consult into a leadership task or ask a church leader to recommend preaching from voices different than your own. Scripture will both unsettle and steady you as you act. "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3-4).

If you want suggestions for music, conversation, or online Christian communities as you do this, visit our pages on worship music and faith and gaming communities for starting points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was John Ball and why was he executed?

John Ball was a cleric and preacher associated with the Lollard movement who became involved in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. He preached that the Gospel challenged social hierarchies. After the revolt was suppressed, authorities captured and executed him because his message was seen as a threat to the social order.

When did the Church of England approve women bishops?

The General Synod of the Church of England voted in 2014 to allow women to be consecrated as bishops, following a long period of debate and earlier steps in ordaining women to other roles. The first female bishops were consecrated the following year.

How should local churches handle disagreements about leadership roles?

Approach disagreements with Scripture as the primary guide, open listening to those affected, prayerful discernment, and practical experiments in shared leadership. Hold to humility in leadership (Philippians 2:3-4) and the Gospel's equalizing horizon (Galatians 3:28) as you decide.