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Social Aspects in the Work of Petr Chelčický and His Legacy for the Present
CINÁDROVÁ, Markéta
Petr Chelčický is one of the reformers from the first half of the 15th century. Little is known about him as a person. Of his 50 extant works, the most famous of which are O boji duchovním (About a Spiritual Fight), Replika proti Rokycanovi (A Repartee to Rokycana), Postila (Sermones) and Síť víry (A Net of Faith). The main topics of his treatises are a critique of the Catholic Church, an appeal against violence as a mode of action, and embracing non-violence. He often deals with dogmatic issues, i. e. Eucharist, purgatory, sacraments, the presence of an Anti-Christ, etc. Chelčický places an emphasis on the equality of all people, and therefore rejects the medieval model of society based on three classes of people. He felt that a society must be founded on love of one's neighbors and obedience to God through the examples set down by the apostles and the apostolic Church. Denying violence, he sets himself apart the Hussites. Chelčický's ideas of non-violence, human equality, truth, conscience, and suffering are still relevant in today's modern society.
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