- Pierre Viret
Pierre Viret (
Orbe 1511 -Orthez 1571) was a Swiss reformed theologian.Youth
Pierre Viret was born in Orbe, a small Swiss town in 1511. His parents were poor.
He studied as a scholar and then attended the
University of Paris .William Farel and some of his teachers who wereLutheran sympathizers made him convert toReformation faith.Preaching
Subsequently, he preached in
Lausanne andGeneva , before missionary tours inFrance preaching to crowds of thousands (Paris ,Orléans ,Avignon ,Montauban , andMontpellier ). Riots often followed his preaching.One time, he was captured by Catholic forces. In France, Viret was considered as one of the most popular French-speaking preacher in 16th century.
But before all, he was the reformer of the city of
Lausanne , where he converted the local population to the Reformation faith. In his time, Lausanne also became, with Geneva, a training ground for Reformation preachers. Among those who studied in Lausanne was the author of theBelgic Confession , Guido (Guy) de Bres.Bibliographic sources
* Linder, Robert D. "Forgotten Reformer." "Christian History."
* "Viret, Pierre." "Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation"
* "Procedures Held With Regard to those of the Religion of the Netherlands" (1568)External links
* [http://vbru.club.fr/src/theologiens/pierre_viret.htm Several biographies in English and French]
* [http://www.ctlibrary.com/4491 Forgotten Reformer] A biographical article in Christianity Today.
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