A short narrated transcript describing Geneva’s central role in the Protestant Reformation. Covers Geneva’s acceptance of the Reformed faith (21 May 1536), John Calvin’s influence (including founding the University of Geneva in 1559), Geneva as a refuge for hunted reformers (Knox, Huguenots, Dutch/Spanish Protestants), the export of preachers and congregations to France, and the publication of the Geneva Bible (noted as the first English edition with numbered verses).
Questions this video answers
21 May 1536.
1559.
Over 1,700 preachers.
1,785 congregations.
The Geneva Bible — the first English version with numbered verses.
Chapters
Here in Geneva, the Reformers wall commemorates the role that this city played in the Protestant Reformation. The city became a refuge for many of the hunted reformers of Western Europe. John Knox from Scotland spent several years here and the Protestants of Holland and Spain and the Huguenots from France all sought refuge here in the city, but then carried the gospel from here. Elsewhere in Indeed this city has often been referred to as the Protestant Rome.
The city publicly accepted the reformed faith on 21 May 1536. And while Farrell was a key player in the Reformation, here it was Calvin that would make this city famous. Some have referred to Calvin as the international reformer. Such was his influence beyond the boundaries of the city limits.
The central idea that Calvin developed was that a consistent and coherent theological system could be derived and defended on the basis of the Bible. Calvin's greatest legacy was arguably not any doctrine, but rather a demonstration of how the Bible could serve as a foundation of a stable understanding of Christian belief and structures.
Another key thing that Calvin did for this city was founding the University of Geneva in 1559. Calvin had a huge sway of influence over the notable men and women of that time. In the 1600s his influence spread to England, Scotland, France, Germany. It was far reaching. In fact from this city over 1700 preachers were sent out to France alone. 1785 congregations were formed in the country of France and the preachers that were trained here had to secretly make their way over to France. They used an underground network system similar to the one used by the French during the resistance in World War II. They would sneak across the border and they would make their way from house to house until they reached their place of work in the country of France.
One of the greatest things to happen here in Geneva was the publishing of the Geneva Bible, the first English version that had numbered verses in it. The theme of the Reformation here in Geneva was was post Tenebrae's looks, meaning after darkness, light. And truly a lesson we can learn from the Reformation here was that when God's word is studied, when it is read, it takes the darkness of our minds away and brings light. May we study God's Word, may we spend time in God's Word that the darkness of our minds may be removed from by the light of God's Word.
