Blogging the Reformers: Philibert Berthelier

J. H. Merle D'Aubigne

This year I am reading History of the Reformation in the Time of Calvin by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne because this year is the 500th aniversary of the birth of John Calvin. We are also planning on attending the Reformation 500 Celebration by Vision Forum Ministries. For a book report on this book, I am writing a paragraph on the important reformation figures that D'Aubigne writes about in his book. My first one is on Philibert Berthelier.


Philibert Berthelier

Philibert Berthelier was a Swiss Patriot in the town of Geneva in the 16^th century. He defended the liberties of the city of Geneva against the Duke of Savoy, who wished to unlawfully rule the city. When he was about the be arrested, he fled Geneva and went to Friburg, a Swiss city, to ask if they would protect Geneva. In this he was successful, and the city of Geneva made a treaty with Friburg. He later returned to Geneva, and was arrested by the bishop, who hoped that by killing him he would destroy the desire for independence in Geneva. Berthelier said,

I am accused of being a marplot because I ask for justice; - a good-for-nothing, because I defend liberty against the enterprises of usurpers; - a conspirator against the bishop's life, because they conspire against mine.¹

When he was about to be killed, he trusted in the Lord, even though he was a Catholic². He was beheaded by the bishop of Geneva on August 23, 1519, and his head was hung on a tree as a warning to the other Genevans. D'Aubigne says this, “[Bethelier's] death has not been useless to the universal cause of civilization.”3

1 As quoted in J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 2000) v. 1 p. 143

2 Ibid, p. 191-192

3 Ibid, p. 198

Reformation Day

On October 31 Hope Baptist Church had a Reformation Day celebration at the Brown's farm. The first thing we did was to eat hot dogs for dinner, and then we gathered in the Brown's tent and sang A Mighty Fortress is Our God. Then there were different families from our church that discussed five great reformers: Jan Huss, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, and Oliver Cromwell. We were going to burn Jan Huss in effigy, but there was a burning ban because of the drought so we couldn't do it, but one of the men from our church, Mr. Sides spoke about him, and all the things he did, what he preached about, his imprisonments, his trial, and his burning. He spoke against the Catholic church and was imprisoned for his denouncement of selling indulgences. Before he was burned, he said, "in 100 years, God will raise up a man whose calls for reform cannot be suppressed."

Mr. Sides acting as Jan Huss.

Then another family, the Breagys, did a skit about Martin Luther. First they had Shea and Claire walk around the stage with big signs with the city and the year on them. Then they had Stephen Breagy, who played Martin Luther, nail the 95 theses to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany.

Claire holding up a sign in front of the church door.

Then they had Grace, Shea and Claire come up and ask Stephen some questions about what he was preaching, what was wrong with indulgences, and things like that. Then Stephen read a short paper that he wrote, and Grace sung a song that he wrote, based on the 46 th psalm, to the tune of A Mighty Fortress is our God.

Grace, Shea, and Claire interviewing Stephen Breagy.

Next Timothy Orr came up and read a paper that he and his brother Josiah wrote about John Calvin, about his life in Geneva, and his preachings and doctrine. He is most noted for his commitment to the absolute sovereignty and holiness of God, and the doctrines of predestination, election and grace.

Timothy Orr reading his paper on John Calvin.

Then Mr. Tsantles came up and did an overview on Oliver Cromwell who was an army general, a member of Parliament, and a great reformer. Then two of his children, Allison and Taylor, read two of his letters to his daughters, one to his wife, and one to a friend.

Then our family came up onto the stage and did a reenactment from the writings of John Knox from a conversation between Mary Queen of Scots and himself. Joshua was John Knox, Stephen was a guard, and I, Rachel, was Queen Mary. Stephen brought in Joshua for me to discuss with him what he said about me. Then he talked to me for awhile, and then Stephen said that dinner was served, and took Joshua away.

Stephen, Joshua, and I on the stage.

Then Daddy came up and talked about why we should remember the Reformers, then we sang It Is Well With My Soul, then we had dessert, and then everybody left.