Page 14 - History of Christianity II- Textbook

The wretched matter of Calvin and Servetus should teach us at least two things: 1) the Reformers were
not perfect—even great men such as John Calvin can make serious mistakes; and 2) the New Testament
church was never designed to double as a civil government.

Theodore Beza, 1519-1605 ––
Theodore Beza (or Theodore de Beza) was a French Protestant theologian and
scholar who played an important role in the early Reformation. As the successor of
John Calvin, he was closely associated with Calvinism. He lived most of his adult life in
Switzerland.

Beza and Calvin shared an incredible affection for one another, such as resembles
that of Paul and Timothy or Luther and Melancthon. Beza was an astute theologian
and saw the daily implications of his theology — he saw the persecution that the
Huguenots were suffering in France and willingly left the comfort of home and
friends to intercede for them in the courts of the nobility. And even in his debates
with other Protestants (Lutherans), he always saw them as brethren with whom he may have disagreed
on certain points, but with whom he shared the bond of Christ.

Anabaptists, c.1525

Believers in Switzerland following the Swiss Reformation wanted the church to
proceed quickly with reforms that would return it to a first-century ideal. They
sought a self-governing church ruled by the Holy Spirit. The main issue was
over infant baptism. The church was teaching that infant baptism was required
to bring one to salvation. On January 21, 1525 the Zurich council ordered their
leaders to cease disputation. On this snowy evening, this dissenting group met
and baptized one another and took on the name, “rebaptizers” or Anabaptists.

The Anabaptists propounded separation of church and state. They did not want political powers to
compel the conscience of the believer in any way. They also opposed church bureaucracy. They were
the first to practice congregationalism. The believed in pacifism.

Persecution ensued, and many Anabaptists were put to death by fire or drowning. Yet the movement
spread, especially among the lower classes. Evangelism brought new believers. The best-known leader
among the Anabaptists was Menno Simons, the father of the Mennonites. Other churches, such as the
Brethren churches branched off from the Anabaptists.

Lelio Sozzini, 1525-62 –

Lelio Sozini was an Italian Renaissance humanist and anti-Trinitarian reformer and
who was the founder of the Socinian sect. This group was a precursor to the
Unitarian Universalist movement. The group denied the doctrine of the Trinity as
well as the Deity of Christ.

Council of Trent 1545-63 –

The Roman Catholic Church, under the leadership of Pope Paul
III had an interest in reform and called for a council to be held in
Trent. It actually was a group of several meetings between 1545 and 1563 which

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