Theodore beza biography

Never heard of Beza? Don't worry — neither have most 21st century evangelicals. But he is one of the most influential of the Reformers, and may be the clearest proponent of Calvin's teachings after John Calvin's death in 1564.Theodore Beza (or Theodore de Beza) (1519–1605) 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.

Early years

Beza was born in Vezelay on June 24, 1519 to Pierre de Besze and Marie Bourdelot. Theodore's mother died when he was only three years old and so he went off to Paris to be raised by a wealthy uncle. It was here that he would receive training from the brightest minds in the city. In 1528, when he was nine, his uncle sent him to Orleans to study under Melchior Wolmar, a notorious Greek scholar who would eventually join the Reformed movement.

But Theodore was int

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Feature book review: ‘Theodore Beza: The Man and the Myth’

Theodore Beza: The Man and the Myth, Shawn D. Wright (Christian Focus 2016, $14.99) 

Despite being one of the great figures of the Protestant Reformation, not much is known about Theodore Beza, French theologian and acolyte of the more famous John Calvin. In fact, what is known is often mythical and exaggerated, such as the erroneous perception that Beza coldly systematized Calvin’s rich biblical-theological legacy.

For this reason, Shawn D. Wright, associate professor of church history at Southern Seminary, wrote his short biography of the Reformer, Theodore Beza: The Man and the Myth. Wright aptly traces Beza’s theological influences, particularly in his leadership of the Calvinist movement after Calvin’s death, shining light upon his pastoral heart and character.

“For over a century now Beza has been regularly maligned by both historians and theologians,” Wright said in his book. “In the process

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Theodore Beza

French Calvinist theologian, reformer and scholar (1519–1605)

"Beza" redirects here. For the by in Iran, see Beza, Iran.

Theodore Beza (Latin: Theodorus Beza; French: Théodore dem Bèze or de Besze; 24 June 1519 – 13 October 1605) was a French CalvinistProtestanttheologian, reformer and scholar who played an important role in the Protestant Reformation. He was a disciple of John Calvin and lived most of his life in Geneva. Beza succeeded Calvin as the spiritual leader of the Republic of Geneva.

Biography

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Early life

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Theodore Beza was born on 24 June 1519 in Vézelay, in the province of Burgundy, France.^[1] His father, Pierre de Bèze, bailiff of Vézelay,^[1] descended from a Burgundian noble family; his mother, Marie Bourdelot, was known for her generosity. Beza's father had two brothers; Nicolas, who was member of the parlement of Paris, and Claude, who was abbot of the Cistercianmonastery of Froimont in the dioc