Lesson 3
John Calvin, the Reformation in Geneva and the Beginnings of the Reformation in France
   (Print) (Debate plattforrm)

9. Theodor Beza – Successor of Calvin

Theodor Beza

After the death of Calvin, Theodor Beza chose to be Calvin’s successor as head of the Geneva pastors. Beza was born in 1519 in Burgund and turned to the Protestant faith at an early age, even if at first somewhat half-heartedly. Only after a major illness did he turn completely to the Reformation and from a house of lawyers became a professor of Greek at the Academy of Lausanne, remaining in this post for ten years. In 1558, Beza came to Geneva and became the principal of the Academy there. Already in the first few years of his time in Geneva, Beza worked as a theological adviser of the French church and as dialogue-partner of the political leaders of the Huguenots in connection with the religious wars. After 1564, Beza had further close contact with the French churches, once being chosen by La Rochelle to be chairman of the Synod. And finally, he had to see many people being driven out of France

Again and again Beza was viewed above all as a pupil of Calvin’s. That is correct but does not exhaust his achievement. In contrast to Calvin, he was thoroughly acquainted with Aristotelian philosophy, and therefore attempted to systematise several doctrines with this (in particular the doctrine of predestination and of the Lord’s Supper). In this he is amongst those who prepared the way for later orthodoxy.
Another characteristic feature is his work on the New Testament and in biblical studies. His edition of the New Testament, for which he discovered and utilised numerous manuscripts, had been reprinted more than one hundred and fifty times by 1965. At the age of 86, on 13th October 1605, Theodor Beza died.