Life William Farel

statue of farel in neuchâtel



the reformation wall in geneva. left: farel, john calvin, theodore beza, , john knox

farel born in 1489 in gap. pupil of pro-reform catholic priesthood, @ university of paris, in earliest years of reformation. there met scholar jacques lefevre d etaples helped farel obtain professorship teach grammar , philosophy @ collège cardinal lemoine in paris. lefevre became member of cercle de meaux gathered 1519 reform-minded bishop of meaux, guillaume briçonnet. farel became regent of college. 1522 appointed diocesan preacher reformist bishop of meaux, guillaume briçonnet. farel invite number of evangelical humanists work in diocese implement reform program within catholic church.

this group of humanists included josse van clichtove, martial mazurier, gérard roussel, , françois vatable. members of meaux circle of different talents emphasized study of bible , return theology of church. while working lefevre in meaux, farel came under influence of lutheran ideas , became avid promoter of them. after condemnation sorbonne, farel evangelized fervently in dauphiné.

farel forced flee switzerland because of controversy aroused writings against use of images in christian worship. spent time @ zurich huldrych zwingli , @ strasbourg, martin bucer. convinced neuchâtel join reform in 1530.

farel established himself in geneva in 1532, remained minister, drawing calvin city, breaking him on eucharist. he, along calvin, banished geneva in 1538, in part rigorous positions, , retired neuchâtel, died.

although farel friend of calvin s, promoter of lutheran ideas in youth.