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Peter Waldo: The Unlikely Reformer Who Preceded the Reformation
Peter Waldo: The Unlikely Reformer Who Preceded the Reformation
More than three hundred years before Martin Luther was born, an unlikely reformer suddenly appeared in the city of Lyon in southeast France. His protests against doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church were strong tremors foretelling the coming spiritual earthquake called the Reformation. And the movement he launched survived to join the great Reformation. He is known to history as Peter Waldo.
The Life of Peter Waldo
Many details about Waldo's life are not known, including his name. We don't know if Peter was his real first name, since it doesn't appear in any document until 150 years after his death. His last name was most likely something like Valdès or Vaudès — Valdo (Waldo) was the Italian adaptation. The exact year of his birth and death is also unknown, with historians disagreeing over whether he died between 1205 and 1207 or between 1215 and 1218.
A Rich Ruler Repents
In 1170, Waldo was a wealthy and well-known merchant in Lyon. He had a wife, two daughters, and lots of property. However, something happened that changed his life forever. Some say he witnessed the sudden death of a friend, while others claim he heard a spiritual song from a traveling minstrel. Whatever the catalyst, Waldo became deeply troubled over the spiritual state of his soul and was desperate to know how he could be saved.
Waldo's first action was to resolve to read the Bible. However, since it only existed in Latin at the time, and his Latin skills were poor, he hired two scholars to translate it into the vernacular so he could study it.
Next, he sought spiritual counsel from a priest, who pointed him to the story of the rich young ruler in the Gospels. The priest quoted Jesus, saying, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). These words pierced Waldo's heart. Like the rich young ruler, he suddenly realized that he had been serving Mammon, not God. But unlike the rich young ruler, who walked away from Jesus, Waldo repented and did exactly what Jesus said: he gave away all he had to the poor (after making adequate provision for his wife and daughters). From that point on, he determined to live in complete dependence on God for his provision.
The Birth of a Movement
Waldo immediately began preaching from his Bible in the streets of Lyon, especially to the poor. Many were converted, and by 1175, a significant group of men and women had become Waldo's disciples. They too gave away their possessions and started preaching, even women. The people began calling them the "Poor of Lyons." As the group grew and spread throughout France and other parts of Europe, they became known as "The Waldensians."
As Waldo continued to study Scripture, he became increasingly troubled by certain doctrines, practices, and governing structures of the Catholic Church, as well as its wealth. He boldly spoke out against these things, despite the Church's prohibition on lay preaching. This drew opposition from church leaders, particularly the Archbishop of Lyons. However, in 1179, Waldo appealed directly to Pope Alexander III and received his approval. Unfortunately, only five years later, the new pope, Lucius III, sided with the archbishop and excommunicated Waldo and his followers.
The Waldensian Convictions
In the early years, the Waldensian movement was primarily a reform movement within the Catholic Church. Waldo never intended to leave the church, and he held to numerous traditional Catholic doctrines. However, after the excommunication, and continuing beyond Waldo's death, the Waldensians developed Protestant-like convictions.
They rejected all claims to authority besides Scripture. They believed that Scripture alone should guide their faith and practice, and they rejected any additional teachings or traditions not found in the Bible.
They rejected the idea of a hierarchical priesthood and the need for mediators between God and man. They believed that all believers were qualified to approach God directly through Jesus Christ, without the need for a priestly intermediary.
They rejected the doctrine of purgatory, which led them to reject indulgences and prayers for the dead. They believed that salvation was by faith alone, and that there was no need for additional works or payments to secure one's place in heaven.
They believed in the importance of baptism and communion as the only sacraments sanctioned by Scripture. They rejected the Catholic Church's emphasis on fast and feast days, as well as eating restrictions.
They rejected the hierarchical caste system of the Catholic Church, which placed priests and monks above ordinary believers. They believed in the priesthood of all believers, with no distinction or hierarchy among God's people.
They rejected the veneration of relics, pilgrimages, and the use of holy water. They saw these practices as unnecessary and unscriptural.
They rejected the pope's claim to authority over earthly rulers. They believed that the pope should not have control over secular matters and that earthly rulers should be subject only to God's authority.
They eventually rejected the apostolic succession of the pope, seeing it as an unnecessary human tradition and not a biblical requirement.
The Spread and Persecution of the Waldensians
Despite the excommunication and Waldo's death, the Waldensian movement continued to grow for quite some time. It spread into northern Italy and regions of Spain, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Poland. However, the Roman Catholic persecution also continued and grew in severity. By the fifteenth century, the Waldensian ranks had shrunk into small, obscure communities in the alpine valleys of France and Italy.
When the Protestant Reformation burst onto the scene in the sixteenth century, most Waldensians embraced it and became Protestants. They saw in the Reformers a kindred spirit and shared convictions about the authority of Scripture, salvation by faith alone, and the priesthood of all believers.
Peter Waldo's Legacy
Peter Waldo was a proto-Protestant, though he didn't know it. He was a merchant turned prophet who simply believed in the word of God with all his heart, which he demonstrated with his life. In taking God at his word, Waldo turned his world upside down.
His movement, the Waldensians, survived and joined the larger Reformation, contributing to the transformation of Christianity in Europe. Their convictions and courage paved the way for future reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others who would challenge the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church and bring about lasting change.
Today, the Waldensian Church continues to exist as a small but resilient community, preserving their unique history and heritage. They serve as a living testament to the faith and sacrifice of Peter Waldo and the early Waldensians.
In conclusion, Peter Waldo was an unlikely reformer who preceded the Reformation. His deep spiritual awakening and commitment to the Word of God led him to challenge the Catholic Church and launch a movement that would survive and join the larger Reformation. The Waldensians, as they became known, held to Protestant-like convictions and faced persecution for their beliefs. Their legacy lives on, reminding us of the courage and conviction of those who stood for truth and sought to reform the church.
More than three hundred years before Martin Luther was born, an unlikely reformer suddenly appeared in the city of Lyon in southeast France. His protests against doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church were strong tremors foretelling the coming spiritual earthquake called the Reformation. And the movement he launched survived to join the great Reformation. He is known to history as Peter Waldo.
The Life of Peter Waldo
Many details about Waldo's life are not known, including his name. We don't know if Peter was his real first name, since it doesn't appear in any document until 150 years after his death. His last name was most likely something like Valdès or Vaudès — Valdo (Waldo) was the Italian adaptation. The exact year of his birth and death is also unknown, with historians disagreeing over whether he died between 1205 and 1207 or between 1215 and 1218.
A Rich Ruler Repents
In 1170, Waldo was a wealthy and well-known merchant in Lyon. He had a wife, two daughters, and lots of property. However, something happened that changed his life forever. Some say he witnessed the sudden death of a friend, while others claim he heard a spiritual song from a traveling minstrel. Whatever the catalyst, Waldo became deeply troubled over the spiritual state of his soul and was desperate to know how he could be saved.
Waldo's first action was to resolve to read the Bible. However, since it only existed in Latin at the time, and his Latin skills were poor, he hired two scholars to translate it into the vernacular so he could study it.
Next, he sought spiritual counsel from a priest, who pointed him to the story of the rich young ruler in the Gospels. The priest quoted Jesus, saying, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). These words pierced Waldo's heart. Like the rich young ruler, he suddenly realized that he had been serving Mammon, not God. But unlike the rich young ruler, who walked away from Jesus, Waldo repented and did exactly what Jesus said: he gave away all he had to the poor (after making adequate provision for his wife and daughters). From that point on, he determined to live in complete dependence on God for his provision.
The Birth of a Movement
Waldo immediately began preaching from his Bible in the streets of Lyon, especially to the poor. Many were converted, and by 1175, a significant group of men and women had become Waldo's disciples. They too gave away their possessions and started preaching, even women. The people began calling them the "Poor of Lyons." As the group grew and spread throughout France and other parts of Europe, they became known as "The Waldensians."
As Waldo continued to study Scripture, he became increasingly troubled by certain doctrines, practices, and governing structures of the Catholic Church, as well as its wealth. He boldly spoke out against these things, despite the Church's prohibition on lay preaching. This drew opposition from church leaders, particularly the Archbishop of Lyons. However, in 1179, Waldo appealed directly to Pope Alexander III and received his approval. Unfortunately, only five years later, the new pope, Lucius III, sided with the archbishop and excommunicated Waldo and his followers.
The Waldensian Convictions
In the early years, the Waldensian movement was primarily a reform movement within the Catholic Church. Waldo never intended to leave the church, and he held to numerous traditional Catholic doctrines. However, after the excommunication, and continuing beyond Waldo's death, the Waldensians developed Protestant-like convictions.
They rejected all claims to authority besides Scripture. They believed that Scripture alone should guide their faith and practice, and they rejected any additional teachings or traditions not found in the Bible.
They rejected the idea of a hierarchical priesthood and the need for mediators between God and man. They believed that all believers were qualified to approach God directly through Jesus Christ, without the need for a priestly intermediary.
They rejected the doctrine of purgatory, which led them to reject indulgences and prayers for the dead. They believed that salvation was by faith alone, and that there was no need for additional works or payments to secure one's place in heaven.
They believed in the importance of baptism and communion as the only sacraments sanctioned by Scripture. They rejected the Catholic Church's emphasis on fast and feast days, as well as eating restrictions.
They rejected the hierarchical caste system of the Catholic Church, which placed priests and monks above ordinary believers. They believed in the priesthood of all believers, with no distinction or hierarchy among God's people.
They rejected the veneration of relics, pilgrimages, and the use of holy water. They saw these practices as unnecessary and unscriptural.
They rejected the pope's claim to authority over earthly rulers. They believed that the pope should not have control over secular matters and that earthly rulers should be subject only to God's authority.
They eventually rejected the apostolic succession of the pope, seeing it as an unnecessary human tradition and not a biblical requirement.
The Spread and Persecution of the Waldensians
Despite the excommunication and Waldo's death, the Waldensian movement continued to grow for quite some time. It spread into northern Italy and regions of Spain, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Poland. However, the Roman Catholic persecution also continued and grew in severity. By the fifteenth century, the Waldensian ranks had shrunk into small, obscure communities in the alpine valleys of France and Italy.
When the Protestant Reformation burst onto the scene in the sixteenth century, most Waldensians embraced it and became Protestants. They saw in the Reformers a kindred spirit and shared convictions about the authority of Scripture, salvation by faith alone, and the priesthood of all believers.
Peter Waldo's Legacy
Peter Waldo was a proto-Protestant, though he didn't know it. He was a merchant turned prophet who simply believed in the word of God with all his heart, which he demonstrated with his life. In taking God at his word, Waldo turned his world upside down.
His movement, the Waldensians, survived and joined the larger Reformation, contributing to the transformation of Christianity in Europe. Their convictions and courage paved the way for future reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others who would challenge the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church and bring about lasting change.
Today, the Waldensian Church continues to exist as a small but resilient community, preserving their unique history and heritage. They serve as a living testament to the faith and sacrifice of Peter Waldo and the early Waldensians.
In conclusion, Peter Waldo was an unlikely reformer who preceded the Reformation. His deep spiritual awakening and commitment to the Word of God led him to challenge the Catholic Church and launch a movement that would survive and join the larger Reformation. The Waldensians, as they became known, held to Protestant-like convictions and faced persecution for their beliefs. Their legacy lives on, reminding us of the courage and conviction of those who stood for truth and sought to reform the church.
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