The French Reformation: The Reformation in France was one with great contrasts. On the one hand they had some giants of Reformers, but on the other hand there were some serious setbacks due to some poor decisions. Whilst there was always a faithful minority, one cannot help but wonder what could have been.

<p>The French Reformation: The Reformation in France was one with great contrasts. On the one hand they had some giants of Reformers, but on the other hand there were some serious setbacks due to some poor decisions. Whilst there was always a faithful minority, one cannot help but wonder what could have been.</p>

Lineage Journey

Adam Ramdin

The Great Controversy

01 The Destruction of Jerusalem

02 Persecution in the First Centuries

03 An Era of Spiritual Darkness

04 The Waldenses

05 John Wycliffe

06 Huss and Jerome

07 Luther’s Separation from Rome

08 Luther Before the Diet

09 The Swiss Reformer

10 Progress of Reform in Germany

11 Protest of the Princes

12 The French Reformation

13 The Netherlands & Scandinavia

14 Later English Reformers

15 The Bible & The French Revolution

16 The Pilgrim Fathers

17 Heralds of The Morning

18 An American Reformer

19 Light Through Darkness

20 A Great Religious Awakening

21 A Warning Rejected

22 Prophecies Fulfilled

23 What is the Sanctuary?

24 In the Holy of Holies

25 God’s Law Immutable

27 Modern Revivals

28 Facing Life’s Record

29 The Origin of Evil

30 Enmity Between Man and Satan

31 Agency of Evil Spirits


The Reformation and the Reformation Season 1 Episode 1 The Reformation The French Reformation has some mighty champions for the cause, but perhaps more than any other country, they suffered persecution and bloody setbacks that eventually hindered the work. 1 of the key early leaders was Jacques Lefebvre, a professor at the University of Paris, 1 of the most prestigious universities here in Europe. In 1510 he was doing some research and reading the Bible for a book that he was going to write, and in it he discovered that the righteousness of Christ offers not just complete forgiveness, but also transformation of heart. This was a completely different perspective from what he had learned, and with this new idea he started to share it with his students. 🎵 1 of Lefebvre's most ardent students at the time was William Farrell.

Farrell's parents were members of the French gentry and they wanted their son to be a knight, but he was not interested. He convinced his father to send him here to the University of Paris. Whilst a student he was zealous, idealistic, and eager to defend the teachings of the Church. His ideological framework was shattered and replaced with a seemingly impossible worldview as he sat in Professor Lefebvre's classes. He was not the only 1 who was convinced by these new teachings.

Others who embraced Lefebvre's teaching would be William Bréconné of May, who would go on to establish the first Protestant congregation in Europe in May. 🎵 John Calvin would become the most prominent leader in the French Reformation. Calvin came here to Paris to study theology at the University of Paris, and whilst he was here he spent some time with his cousin Pierre-Olivier Tannes, a former student of Jacques Lefebvre. He worked hard to convince him on the validity of the new ideas that were spreading across Europe, but Calvin would have none of it, leading to frequent arguments between the 2 of them. Eventually a series of events would lead to his conversion.

Olivetan's arguments, Calvin's own study of the Bible, and also an encounter he had with a reformist martyr on the streets of Paris here at La Place de la Grève, the official burning spot for martyrs in Paris. He was touched by the peace, the calmness, and the serenity that was on his face as he was being burned to death. 🎵 Calvin faithfully preached throughout the city of Paris and also the province of Bari, and he found an ally to the cause of reform in the king's sister, Margaret. She was determined to help the cause that she so passionately believed in, and she solicited the services of her friend, the preacher Gerard Roussel, and opened up the palace of the Louth to the public. Thousands flocked here to the palace to hear him preach the truths of righteousness by faith directly from the Bible.

The Parisian church authorities tried to shut them down. However, the king was loyal to his sister and protected her, even though he was not fully convinced of her views. How did the French reform the French? Sadly, the French Reformation would experience a horrific setback. Some of the more radical proponents of reform thought that the pace was too sluggish despite Princess Margaret's bold moves.

Some of them got together and they decided to take drastic action. They wrote an article that denounced transubstantiation, printed it, and distributed it throughout the kingdom and plastered posters on every church door. Someone fatefully even put a poster on the door of the king's bedchamber. [♪ music ♪ It was a foolish move and the backlash was devastating. The king had previously been on the fence in regards to the Reformation, but not anymore.

Thousands of French Protestants were rounded up and burned at the stake in a gruesome bloodbath. Thousands more fled Paris, and the kingdom lost some of their greatest minds to persecution and exile. The Reformation was not completely destroyed, though. The Huguenots would carry the torch of truth unflinchingly for several centuries. How did the Huguenots survive?

After the Affair of the Picards, Calvin helped William Farrell establish Protestantism in Geneva, which became a city of refuge for persecuted Protestants throughout Europe. John Calvin helped to establish the University of Geneva as a training school for young ministers. Many of those who were trained came across the border here into France and worked as covert church planters. The Reformation in France suffered a major setback, but as John Huss said, great is the truth and it prevails. And this axiom was proved true both in Geneva and also in France through the agency of faithful men and women who refused to recant.

May we have that same steadfastness and courage and stand by our convictions no matter what the obstacles may be. You you

Series

The Great Controversy

12 The French Reformation

Description

Parent Series

Sponsor

Recorded

Other Teachings in Series

01 The Destruction of Jerusalem

6m

02 Persecution in the First Centuries

5m

03 An Era of Spiritual Darkness

5m

04 The Waldenses

7m

05 John Wycliffe

6m

06 Huss and Jerome

8m

07 Luther’s Separation from Rome

7m

08 Luther Before the Diet

7m

09 The Swiss Reformer

6m

10 Progress of Reform in Germany

4m

11 Protest of the Princes

5m

12 The French Reformation

6m

13 The Netherlands & Scandinavia

7m

14 Later English Reformers

7m

15 The Bible & The French Revolution

8m

16 The Pilgrim Fathers

7m

17 Heralds of The Morning

6m

18 An American Reformer

6m

19 Light Through Darkness

4m

20 A Great Religious Awakening

4m

21 A Warning Rejected

4m

22 Prophecies Fulfilled

5m

23 What is the Sanctuary?

5m

24 In the Holy of Holies

5m

25 God’s Law Immutable

6m

27 Modern Revivals

5m

28 Facing Life’s Record

5m

29 The Origin of Evil

5m

30 Enmity Between Man and Satan

5m

31 Agency of Evil Spirits

5m

Sound Doctrine