Theodore Beza and the Reformation

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Theodore might have been one of the last great reformers but his impact was great and his passion was blazing. His enemies did anything they could to try to stop him because of his powerful writings and teachings. Now let’s get to know Theodore before we tell anymore. He was born June 24, 1519 in Vezelay, France. Born to father Pierre de Beza and mother Marie Bourdelot. As he got to the age of college he went to Paris to receive education from the famous German teacher, Melchior Wolmar. He was accepted gladly into his home and after a while followed his teacher to Bourges. At this time Bourges was the focal point of the Reformation in France. After he was there he went to Orleans in France, not New Orleans of Louisiana to study for 4 years in law. Married in 1544 to a young girl named, Claudine Denoese. After he has done all this he wrote a book which made him pretty famous. Quickly after the publication of this book he fell with a terrible illness. This shook his spirit and made him have need for a savior. When he recovered he made his way to Geneva and when he arrived he was taken in by and formally met, John Calvin. He was interested in more of the higher education and the theology of Calvin. Beza had controversies with predestination and the burning of his friend Michael Servetus who was burned at the stake by the Calvinists. Theodore Beza went through Europe spreading God’s word and Calvin’s teachings. When he was in the church of Geneva he agreed with most of the things the pastor was saying but at times he would have such a strong disagreement that he would threaten to leave the church. What made Theodore Beza popular and well known throughout Europe was not just his writings but his leadership and connections to John Calvi...

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...th greedie gulfs unknown, Devoured the devourer to his smart, And made his ships a praie unto the sand That meant to praie upon anothers land. And now, o queene above al others blest, For whom both windes and waves are prest to fight, So rule your owne, so succour friends opprest, (As farre from pride, as ready to do right), That England you, you England long enjoy, No lesse your friends delight, then foes annoy.”
As you can see by his writings he was actually quite brilliant and smart. Theodore Beza died October 13 1605 in Geneva, Switzerland. He awoke and got ready for the day but soon grew weak. Within a matter of minutes he passed away in peace. But sadly during these last days King Henry the fourth converted to Catholicism. So a lot of his work was for nothing. Overall Theodore led a successful life and changed Europe in dramatic ways during the reformation.

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