[fortheDeclaration]

I was going to mention Wycliff. One thing that jumps out about him was his belief in Sola Scriptura well before the Reformation. Also, I believe the Albigeneses held to Sola Scriptura and their principal sin was refusing to submit to the Roman Pontiff.

Amen.

Some of the Albigeneses missapplied doctrines that led to licentous behaviour (believing that since the soul and body were detached at the point of salvation, they could sin without affect on the soul)

Had they read Paul more closely they would have seen that grace is never an excuse to sin (Rom.6)

[John Leland 1789]

“Some of the Albigeneses missapplied doctrines that led to licentous behaviour (believing that since the soul and body were detached at the point of salvation, they could sin without affect on the soul)”

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I believe this from Colossians 2:11, 12 and other passages. Many do. You are right in the application of it as regards holy living as it can't contradict Romans 6.

You are making the point, I believe, that there were legitimate Christian churches apart from Rome long prior to the Reformation. This is obviously true.

[wmfights]

Some of the Albigeneses missapplied doctrines that led to licentous behaviour (believing that since the soul and body were detached at the point of salvation, they could sin without affect on the soul)

I hadn't heard that before. I have read that they lived at peace with their neighbors, were industrious and only came to the attention of Rome because of the declining monies sent to Rome in areas they were growing in.

I wonder if they were connected in any way to the Paulicians who were scattered through out Europe when they were persecuted. In reading about other Christian Churches that were persecuted one thing seems clear. The greater the persecution the more they spread out and brought The Gospel to others. It seems to follow the pattern of growth of Christianity in the pre Roman era.