Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/78

Contributor - Harvey Van Farowe

Title - Beza - The Man Who Followed Calvin

Topic - Church History

Another remarkable reformer, the man who succeeded John Calvin in Geneva, was Theodore Beza. Beza had been a Christian leader with Calvin, was a close friend, and conducted his funeral.

Theodore Beza was born in Burgundy, France, in June of 1519. Ten years younger than Calvin, he was the seventh child of his parents who were Roman Catholic. His mother died before he was three years old; however, even before that, he had gone to the home of an uncle who lived in Paris. There he was raised.

It was not by chance that am early teacher of Beza's was Melchior Wolmar, a Greek scholar who felt strongly for reformation truths. It is said that he "was devoted to the reformation". Wolmar had also been a teacher of Calvin. Early seeds planted by Wolmar later came to fruition. Beza studied law at first, later practicing in that field. His uncle, who adopted him, was in that field and wanted him to pursue this course, too. At first he did. He also wrote some poetry and did well as a young writer, though at this time he was not a committed disciple of Christ.

A serious illness in his late twenties brought about a commitment and change in career. The grave illness humbled him and caused him to devote himself to Christian teachings he had learned from his early teacher, Wolmar. Schaff wrote, "this world seemed very hollow; its praises and honours very cloying (wearying)". The call to a higher, purer, nobler life was heard, and he obeyed". He left France and went to Switzerland, the country where Calvin laboured. There he publicly married a woman h had secretly married before. In the city of Lausanne he became a teacher of Greek. He was in Lausanne for ten years and during that period wrote "A Confession of the Christian Faith" and delivered some lectures on Paul's Letter to the Romans and on I Peter. Later he accepted the Greek professorship in Geneva, the city where Calvin ministered and this was instrumental in establishing a very close relationship with the man whom he was destined to follow.

More and more, Theodore Beza became involved in the reformation interests and calling. He was a very able writer and speaker. In a debate at an assembly with a Roman Catholic cardinal over the subject of transubstantiation (the teaching that the bread and wine became the actual body and blood of Christ), Beza said that "that the body of Christ was as far removed from the bread of the eucharist as the 'heavens are from the earth' !" He expressed his belief that the spiritual presence of Christ was there but not His bodily presence. Yet though he dared to speak what he believed he was gracious and courteous.

It is, I believe, sometimes thought that the great reformers were a harsh and ungracious lot, but it impressed me in reading of Beza that he was characterized by politeness, graciousness, and fairness. He was not rough and tactless. He was also a good husband and father. He was married to his wife for forty years and though they were not blessed with children of their own, it is said, "his fatherly heart may have found some expression in adopting has wife's niece ... and also in his parental solicitude for his brother's children." Later after his wife died, he married a widow and adopted her granddaughter.

Beza also had a real heart for the Hugenot Christians in France, the country of his birth and upbringing. They suffered acutely in his time. Their church buildings were taken from them and they were not allowed to build others. Hundreds were persecuted or martyred and Beza often sought and sacrificed for their relief and rights. He left Switzerland at times to appeal on their behalf. He appealed to "Protestant princes in Germany" who could cause their influence to bear in France. He also continued Calvin's efforts of making Geneva a haven for Huguenot believers. He dared to stand up for these suffering people. Once, in speaking against an attack on Huguenots, he made a famous and thought provoking statement. After a Duke said that the attack had been provoked because some Protestants had thrown stones, he declared that only those who actually threw stones should have been punished. Then he added these significant words, "Sire, it is in truth the lot of the church of God, in whose name I am speaking, to endure blows, and not to strike them. But also it may please you to remember that it is an anvil that has worn out many hammers". An eloquent reminder that that which endures blows does often triumph in that end.

This able successor to Calvin also helped formulate the "constitution of the Reformed Church in France", he had a vital part in translating Psalms into French for music in worship services, and he must have prayed and interceded much for the reformed people in that country. He also worked faithfully and effectively on behalf of the reformation cause and church in Switzerland. An encyclopedia points out that he was regarded as the foremost reformed theologian after Ca vin in Switzerland. Indeed, he iad been elected by the city couicil of Geneva and it proved to be an excellent choice.

Though not quite the giant that Calvin was in expositing and applying Scripture or in organizational ability, he, too, was a master in the Scriptures and greatly used of God. And, apparently, he even had superior gifts as a speaker and in diplomacy. Yet he would stand firm when necessary and was very highly respected.

It is interesting that St. Francis de Sales sought to convert Beza back to the Roman Catholic church. He attempted this when Beza was quite an elderly man, in his late seventies. St. Francis even "offered him four thousand gold crowns in the name of the pope". Beza had listened to the priest with patience and politeness but when the offer of money made he had heard enough. And it was obvious he would not do this.

This great Christian leader died in October, 1605. His will had stipulated that he be buried in "the common cemetery" in Geneva, the cemetery where Calvin was buried. However, because of a threat to steel his body and take it to Rome, it was interred, by decree of magistrates, in the cathedral of St. Peter in Geneva.

Theodore Beza left a rich supply in his writings. His book about "Church History in France"is said to be his most important writing. He had access to much information about spiritual and church life in France, both from personal acquaintance and from letters and reports which came to him. However, his "Life of Calvin" is also noteworthy as he knew Calvin so well and worked with him so closely and deeply. Also his translations from Greek manuscripts of the New Testament were used by those who worked with the King James version of Scripture, which is of continuing interest. His life and gifts were much used by God in his generation and his "works do follow him".

May we still thank God for men of history like this able successor of Calvin. They have left their imprint. And we are indebted to them.

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