The French Reformation with Dan Borvan

About The Guest(s): Dan Borvan is the newly installed pastor at Christ Reform Church in Anaheim, California. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Westminster Seminary, California. Dan has a passion for the French Reformation and has dedicated his studies to uncovering the rich theology and history of the French Reform Church. Summary: In this episode of Renewalcast, Colt Robinson interviews Dan Borvan about the French Reformation. The French Reformation is often overlooked in comparison to the Protestant Reformation in Germany and Switzerland. However, it played a significant role in shaping the theology and history of the Reformed tradition. Dan provides an overview of the French Reformation, starting with its origins in the 1520s and the influence of key figures like Nicholas Cop and John Calvin. He discusses the persecution faced by French Protestants, the establishment of churches, and the publication of the French Confession of faith. Dan also highlights the courage and resilience of the French Reformers in the face of intense opposition and persecution. Key Takeaways:

• The French Reformation was an organic movement that gained momentum in the 1520s and 1530s.
• The French Reformers faced intense persecution and were labeled as seditious rebels by the Roman Catholic authorities.
• John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion and the French Confession of faith were influential in shaping the theology of the French Reform Church.
• The French Wars of Religion in the second half of the 16th century were marked by conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, as well as divisions within the Catholic camp.
• The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572 was a turning point in the French Reformation, leading to widespread persecution and the continuation of the religious civil war.
• The Edict of Nantes in 1598 provided temporary coexistence between Catholics and Protestants, allowing the French Reform Church to flourish for a few decades before the repeal of the edict in 1685.

Quotes:

• "We must commit as much as we can to stand for the truth, so that when those moments come for us, the Holy Spirit will empower us to stand." - Dan Borvan
• "Psalm singing was a great offense to the Roman Catholics. It was the original counterculture, anti-establishment, shake your fist at the man kind of music." - Dan Borvan