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[[Image:PierreViret.jpg|thumb|Pierre Viret]]
[[Image:Pierre Viret frontispice.jpg|thumb|Portrit of Viret in [[Théodore de Beze]]'s ''Icones'' (1580)]]
'''Pierre Viret''' (1511 – 4 May 1571) was a Swiss [[Swiss Reformation|Reformed]] theologian and [[Protestant reformer]].
'''Pierre Viret''' (1509/1510 – 4 April 1571)<ref name=HDS>{{HDS|11333}}</ref> was a Swiss [[Swiss Reformation|Reformed]] theologian, [[Evangelism|evangelist]] and [[Protestant reformer]].


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
⚫
Pierre Viret was born in 1509 or 1510 in [[Orbe]], then in the [[Barony of Vaud]], now in the [[canton of Vaud]], Switzerland.<ref name=HDS/> He was the son of Guillaume Viret, a tailor and shearer.<ref name=HDS/> After attending school in his hometown, Viret studied at the [[Collège de Montaigu]] of the [[University of Paris]], where he came in contact with and converted to the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformed]] faith.<ref name=HDS/> He returned to Orbe in 1531 to escape the persecutions in Paris.<ref name=Merle>'Book V: Struggles of the Reformation, Chapter III: A New Reformer and an Image-Breaker (1531)', in J.H. Merle d'Aubigné (translated by W.L.R. Cates), ''History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin'', 8 volumes (Longmans, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, London 1863-1878), Vol III: France, Switzerland, Geneva (1864), pp. 262-76 [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/60774/60774-h/60774-h.htm#Page_262 at Project Gutenberg]. See also reprint, (Sprinkle Publications, Harrisonburg, VA, 2000).</ref>
Pierre Viret was born to a devout middle class [[Roman Catholic]] family in [[Orbe]], a small town now in Switzerland. He was a close friend of [[John Calvin]].

⚫
Viret studied as a scholar in his hometown school and then attended the [[University of Paris]], where he was converted to the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformed]] faith. He returned to Orbe in 1531 to escape the persecutions in Paris.<ref name=Merle>'Book V: Struggles of the Reformation, Chapter III: A New Reformer and an Image-Breaker (1531)', in J.H. Merle d'Aubigné (translated by W.L.R. Cates), ''History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin'', 8 volumes (Longmans, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, London 1863-1878), Vol III: France, Switzerland, Geneva (1864), pp. 262-76 [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/60774/60774-h/60774-h.htm#Page_262 at Project Gutenberg]. See also reprint, (Sprinkle Publications, Harrisonburg, VA, 2000).</ref>


== Preaching ==
== Preaching ==
[[William Farel]], a Protestant preacher, called Viret to the ministry when he returned to Orbe. On 6 May 1531 at only twenty years of age, Viret preached his first sermon. His preaching was received with astonishment and acclamation, and many were soon converted to the Reformed Faith, including Viret's parents.<ref name=Merle /> Later, he preached in [[Lausanne]] and [[Geneva]] before undertaking missionary tours in France where he preached to crowds of thousands in [[Paris]], [[Orléans]], [[Avignon]], [[Montauban]], and [[Montpellier]]. His preaching was sweet and winning, earing him the name of "The Smile of the Reformation."
[[William Farel]], a Protestant preacher, called Viret to the ministry when he returned to Orbe. On 6 May 1531, Viret preached his first sermon. His preaching was received with astonishment and acclamation, and many were soon converted to the Reformed Faith, including Viret's parents.<ref name=Merle /> He initially preached in Orbe and [[Grandson, Switzerland|Grandson]], and later in [[Payerne]], [[Neuchâtel]] and [[Geneva]]<ref name=HDS/> before undertaking missionary tours in France, where he preached to crowds of thousands in [[Paris]], [[Orléans]], [[Avignon]], [[Montauban]], and [[Montpellier]]. His preaching was sweet and winning, earing him the name of "The Smile of the Reformation."


At one time, he was captured by Catholic forces. Viret was considered one of the most popular [[French language|French]]-speaking preachers in the 16th century. Above all he was the reformer of the city of Lausanne, where he converted the local population to the Reformed faith. In his time, Lausanne and Geneva became training grounds for Reformation preachers. Among those who studied in Lausanne was the author of the [[Belgic Confession]], [[Guy de Brès]]. While at Lausanne, Viret founded a Reformed Academy, which was forced to relocate to Geneva in 1559. The relocated professors and students of Viret's Lausanne Academy soon became the foundation of Calvin’s famed Geneva Academy.<ref>Michael W. Bruening, ''Calvinism’s First Battleground: Conflict and Reform in the Pays de Vaud, 1528-1559'' (Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2005), page 254</ref>
At one time, he was captured by Catholic forces. Viret was considered one of the most popular [[French language|French]]-speaking preachers in the 16th century. Above all he was the reformer of the city of Lausanne, where he converted the local population to the Reformed faith. In his time, Lausanne and Geneva became training grounds for Reformation preachers. Among those who studied in Lausanne was the author of the [[Belgic Confession]], [[Guy de Brès]]. While at Lausanne, Viret contributed to the foundation of a school of theology (which would become the [[University of Lausanne]]) in 1537, where he was as professor.<ref name=HDS/> In 1559, along with most of the academic staff, Viret resigned his seat over disagreements with the [[Canton of Bern|Bernese]] authorities and moved to Geneva. He and other relocated professors and students of Lausanne soon became the foundation of the [[Academy of Geneva]].<ref>Michael W. Bruening, ''Calvinism’s First Battleground: Conflict and Reform in the Pays de Vaud, 1528-1559'' (Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2005), page 254</ref>


[[File:Pierre viret ag1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Bas relief]] of Pierre Viret.]]
[[File:Pierre viret ag1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Bas relief]] of Pierre Viret.]]

For health reasons, Viret left Geneva and moved to Southern France where he preached among the [[Huguenots]]. He died in [[Orthez]], France, in 1571.
In 1561, Viret moved to [[Southern France]], possibly due to health reasons.<ref name=HDS/> After serving as a pastor in [[Nîmes]] and [[Montpellier]], he was called to [[Lyon]], in 1563, to preside a [[synod]] of the Reformed churches of France.<ref name=HDS/> Expelled from the city two years later, in 1567 he accepted an invite by [[Jeanne d'Albret]], Queen of [[Kingdom of Navarra|Navarre]], to introduce the Reformation to the [[Béarn]].<ref name=HDS/> He died in [[Bellocq]] or [[Orthez]] in 1571.<ref name=HDS/>


== Translated works ==
== Translated works ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Viret, Pierre}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Viret, Pierre}}
[[Category:1511 births]]
[[Category:1509 births]]
[[Category:1510 births]]
[[Category:1571 deaths]]
[[Category:1571 deaths]]
[[Category:University of Paris alumni]]
[[Category:University of Paris alumni]]
[[Category:University of Lausanne faculty]]
[[Category:People from Orbe]]
[[Category:People from Orbe]]
[[Category:Swiss Protestants]]
[[Category:Swiss Protestants]]

Revision as of 15:29, 5 May 2022

Portrit of Viret in Théodore de Beze's Icones (1580)

Pierre Viret (1509/1510 – 4 April 1571)[1] was a Swiss Reformed theologian, evangelist and Protestant reformer.

Early life

Pierre Viret was born in 1509 or 1510 in Orbe, then in the Barony of Vaud, now in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland.[1] He was the son of Guillaume Viret, a tailor and shearer.[1] After attending school in his hometown, Viret studied at the Collège de Montaigu of the University of Paris, where he came in contact with and converted to the Reformed faith.[1] He returned to Orbe in 1531 to escape the persecutions in Paris.[2]

Preaching

William Farel, a Protestant preacher, called Viret to the ministry when he returned to Orbe. On 6 May 1531, Viret preached his first sermon. His preaching was received with astonishment and acclamation, and many were soon converted to the Reformed Faith, including Viret's parents.[2] He initially preached in Orbe and Grandson, and later in Payerne, Neuchâtel and Geneva[1] before undertaking missionary tours in France, where he preached to crowds of thousands in Paris, Orléans, Avignon, Montauban, and Montpellier. His preaching was sweet and winning, earing him the name of "The Smile of the Reformation."

At one time, he was captured by Catholic forces. Viret was considered one of the most popular French-speaking preachers in the 16th century. Above all he was the reformer of the city of Lausanne, where he converted the local population to the Reformed faith. In his time, Lausanne and Geneva became training grounds for Reformation preachers. Among those who studied in Lausanne was the author of the Belgic Confession, Guy de Brès. While at Lausanne, Viret contributed to the foundation of a school of theology (which would become the University of Lausanne) in 1537, where he was as professor.[1] In 1559, along with most of the academic staff, Viret resigned his seat over disagreements with the Bernese authorities and moved to Geneva. He and other relocated professors and students of Lausanne soon became the foundation of the Academy of Geneva.[3]

Bas relief of Pierre Viret.

In 1561, Viret moved to Southern France, possibly due to health reasons.[1] After serving as a pastor in Nîmes and Montpellier, he was called to Lyon, in 1563, to preside a synod of the Reformed churches of France.[1] Expelled from the city two years later, in 1567 he accepted an invite by Jeanne d'Albret, Queen of Navarre, to introduce the Reformation to the Béarn.[1] He died in Bellocq or Orthez in 1571.[1]

Translated works

Viret authored over fifty books, many of which have been translated into English, including:

  • Anchor of the Soul: An Exposition of the Apostles Creed
  • The Catechism of Pierre Viret
  • The Christian and the Magistrate: Roles, Responsibilities, and Jurisdictions
  • Exposition of the Ten Commandments
  • His Glorious Bride
  • Jesus Christ, the Believer’s Comfort and Joy
  • Letters of Comfort to the Persecuted Church
  • Marvelous Trinity
  • Simple Exposition of the Christian Faith

Decalogue Commentary Series

  • No Other God
  • Nothing Like God
  • Taking His Name in Vain
  • Remember the Sabbath Day
  • Honor thy Father and Mother
  • Thou Shalt Not Kill: A Plea for Life
  • Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
  • Thou Shalt Not Steal
  • Defend the Truth
  • Thou Shalt Not Covet

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pierre Viret in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
  2. ^ a b 'Book V: Struggles of the Reformation, Chapter III: A New Reformer and an Image-Breaker (1531)', in J.H. Merle d'Aubigné (translated by W.L.R. Cates), History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin, 8 volumes (Longmans, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, London 1863-1878), Vol III: France, Switzerland, Geneva (1864), pp. 262-76 at Project Gutenberg. See also reprint, (Sprinkle Publications, Harrisonburg, VA, 2000).
  3. ^ Michael W. Bruening, Calvinism’s First Battleground: Conflict and Reform in the Pays de Vaud, 1528-1559 (Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2005), page 254

Sources

(in order of publication)

  • (Crespin, J.), Procédures Tenues à l'Endroit de Ceux de la Réligion du Pais-Bas (Procedures Held With Regard to those of the Religion of the Netherlands) (Jean Crespin, Geneva 1568)
  • Merle d'Aubigné, J.H. (translated by W.L.R. Cates), History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin, 8 volumes (Longmans, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, London 1863-1878), Vol III: France, Switzerland, Geneva (1864), at pp. 262-76 (Extract at website of Pierre Viret Association)
  • Cart, J., Pierre Viret, le Réformateur Vaudois, Biographie Populaire (Librairie Meyer, Lausanne 1864) (Read at Google)
  • Godet, P., Pierre Viret (F. Payot, Lausanne 1892) (read at Google)
  • Doumergue, E., Lausanne au temps de la Réformation: avec une introduction sur Pierre Viret et Orbe, sa ville natale, et un appendice sur les deux premiers imprimeurs protestants de Lausanne (Georges Bridel et Cie., Lausanne 1903)
  • Barnaud, J., Pierre Viret, Sa Vie et Son Oeuvre (1511-1571) (G. Carayol, Saint-Amans (Tarn) 1911)
  • Schnetzler, C., Vuilleumier, H., and Schroeder, A. (eds), Pierre Viret d'après lui-même : pages extraites des oeuvres du Réformateur à l'occasion du 4e- centenaire de sa naissance (Georges Bridel et Cie., Lausanne 1911)
  • Le Jubilé de Pierre Viret : Lausanne et Orbe : 23-26 octobre 1911 (Eglise Nationale Evangélique Réformée du Canton de Vaud. Commission Synodale, 1911)
  • H. Vuilleumier, Notre Pierre Viret (Payot, Lausanne 1911)
  • Schaff, P., 'Pierre Viret and the Reformation in Lausanne', in History of the Christian Church, 8 Volumes (C. Scribner's Sons, New York 1916-1923), VIII: The Swiss Reformation, 1519-1605, at pp. 250-52 (Extract at website of Pierre Viret Association)
  • Vuilleumier, H., Histoire de l'Eglise Réformée du Pays de Vaud sous Régime Bernois, 4 volumes (Editions la Concorde, Lausanne 1927)
  • Vincent, G., Rhyn, G. and Wüst, P., Pierre Viret, un Vaudois se lève : Quelques traits d'une grande histoire rassemblés pour la jeunesse Vaudoise à l'occasion du Quatrième Centenaire de la Réformation, 1536-1936 (Editions la Concorde, Lausanne 1936).
  • L. Latourette, 'Les dernières années de Pierre Viret (1567-1571)', Revue de Théologie et de Philosophie (Lausanne) New Series Vol. XXVI (1938), pp. 60-68.
  • Linder, R.D., The Political Ideas of Pierre Viret, Travaux d'Humanisme et Renaissance, Vol. LXIV (Librairie Droz, Geneva 1964)
  • Linder, R.D., 'Forgotten reformer', Christian History Magazine, Issue 71, pp. 35-37 (Read at journal website)
  • G. Bavaud, Le Réformateur Pierre Viret (1511-1571), sa Théologie, "Histoire et Société" collection, No. 10 (Labor & Fides, Geneva 1986) (Preview at Google)
  • O. Favre, 'Pierre Viret (1511-1571) et la Discipline Ecclésiastique', (author of M.A. Dissertation 'La discipline ecclésiastique dans la théologie du Réformateur Pierre Viret', Faculty of Reformed Theology, Aix-en-Provence 1993) (Archived at Wayback Machine)
  • Troilo, D.-A., 'L'Œuvre de Pierre Viret: Le problème des sources', Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français (1903-2015) Vol. 144: Octobre-Novembre-Décembre 1998 (Librairie Droz, Geneva), pp. 759-790
  • 'Viret, Pierre', in H.J. Hillebrand (ed.), Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation (Oxford University Press 1996, 2005 online version)
  • Berthoud, J.-M., Pierre Viret: A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation: The Apologetics, Ethics, and Economics of the Bible, (Zurich Publishing, 2010)
  • Sheats, R.A., 'Pierre Viret: The Unknown Reformer', Faith For All Of Life Magazine (Chalcedon, March/April 2011) Read at Chalcedon Magazine: Resources, Magazine pdf
  • Sheats, R.A., Pierre Viret: The Angel of the Reformation, (Zurich Publishing, 2012)
  • Crousaz, K., and Solfaroli Camillocci, D. (eds), Pierre Viret et la Diffusion de la Réforme (Antipodes, Lausanne 2014)
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