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Theodore Beza: The Man and the Myth
Theodore Beza? Who is he? Why should I care about him?
Well, I'm glad you asked!
Theodore Beza was a man who in his day was one of the luminaries of the Protestant world, who took the reins of the beleaguered Calvinistic movement after its namesake's death, and who influenced English-speaking Protestantism more than you might imagine. Shawn D. Wright casts light on a figure often neglected and helps illustrate the significant impact of his faith and influence.
Well, I'm glad you asked!
Theodore Beza was a man who in his day was one of the luminaries of the Protestant world, who took the reins of the beleaguered Calvinistic movement after its namesake's death, and who influenced English-speaking Protestantism more than you might imagine. Shawn D. Wright casts light on a figure often neglected and helps illustrate the significant impact of his faith and influence.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2015
8 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Shawn D. Wright
9 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Shawn D. Wright is Associate Professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as an elder at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky,Associate Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
Shawn D. Wright is Associate Professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as an elder at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky,Associate Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 3, 2019
Good introductory overview of Beza. His works are cited for further research if you are interested. But, primarily an overview and summary of his main works.
June 24, 2016
Like those mentioned by Wright I am one of the many who know about Beza without ever having read a word he said. Wright examines Beza's theology through his own words and the outcome is illuminating. Far from the dry Scholastic of popular perception Beza's work is thoroughly pastoral and the depth of his devotion shines through. In particular his prayers are moving. All in all a great introduction to Beza.
June 16, 2022
Theodore Beza was John Calvin’s successor in Geneva after the Reformer’s death. Wright wrote this book to refute a popular notion that Beza moved away from Calvin’s teaching as he took the Reformed movement into a more scholastic direction. While I am not convinced that Wright succeeded with his stated purpose, he introduces Beza to a new generation by outlining his life and his major theological positions. For this reason, I am glad to have read Wright’s work.
Like Calvin, Beza was French. Unlike Calvin, who died long before the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre (1572), Beza’s Geneva had a front row seat to the autocracies committed upon the Protestants in France. This troublesome event, along with living through plagues, certainly colored Beza’s worldview.
From what I understand from Wright, Beza had a more vivid “eschatology vision” than Calvin. But, as I just pointed out, his ministry was in a different era. Furthermore, from how Wright presents Beza theology, it appears that the younger pastor in Geneva spent more time dealing with “double predestination” than Calvin. It also appears he wrote more about hell, Satan, and the reprobate than Calvin. Having not actually read Beza, I’m not sure I can state this categorically, but from my reading of Wright, it appears this way. While Calvin certainly accepted the idea of double predestination as a means to maintain God’s sovereignty, I don’t remember him dealing with the topic as much as Wright suggests Beza did.
There were several insights into Beza’s thought I found helpful. His four differences between law and gospel are helpful distinctions. He begins noting that law is natural while gospel is supernatural (91). Beza also appears to have been pastoral in his theology. This was seen in both his work on a Christian response to the plague and in his writings on prayer. I wish I had read the section on plague before COVID, as it could have been very helpful. He makes the case for doing what we can to protect ourselves and our families as well as acknowledging God’s role in all.
If you’re into theology, I recommend this book. Otherwise, I might look at my next book.
Like Calvin, Beza was French. Unlike Calvin, who died long before the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre (1572), Beza’s Geneva had a front row seat to the autocracies committed upon the Protestants in France. This troublesome event, along with living through plagues, certainly colored Beza’s worldview.
From what I understand from Wright, Beza had a more vivid “eschatology vision” than Calvin. But, as I just pointed out, his ministry was in a different era. Furthermore, from how Wright presents Beza theology, it appears that the younger pastor in Geneva spent more time dealing with “double predestination” than Calvin. It also appears he wrote more about hell, Satan, and the reprobate than Calvin. Having not actually read Beza, I’m not sure I can state this categorically, but from my reading of Wright, it appears this way. While Calvin certainly accepted the idea of double predestination as a means to maintain God’s sovereignty, I don’t remember him dealing with the topic as much as Wright suggests Beza did.
There were several insights into Beza’s thought I found helpful. His four differences between law and gospel are helpful distinctions. He begins noting that law is natural while gospel is supernatural (91). Beza also appears to have been pastoral in his theology. This was seen in both his work on a Christian response to the plague and in his writings on prayer. I wish I had read the section on plague before COVID, as it could have been very helpful. He makes the case for doing what we can to protect ourselves and our families as well as acknowledging God’s role in all.
If you’re into theology, I recommend this book. Otherwise, I might look at my next book.
December 15, 2025
This was a good, popular-level introduction to a much-aligned historical figure. Beza was Calvin's successor and is often blamed for all of the woes of Calvinism. Despite his reputation, his actual writings and work are rarely engaged with, outside of caricatures. This book does a good job of trying to introduce Beza and offer a different narrative.
After a few chapters of biography, the rest of the book interacts with and presents several of Beza's works. My personal favorite was a book he wrote during the Black Plague. He answers the question of whether Christians should flee the disease and whether the plague is infectious or spreads by divine providence. It is fascinating to read in light of COVID, and a reminder that some things never change. All of his works were very pastoral, reminiscent of Calvin.
There are times the book's focus on defending Beza becomes too heavy-handed. I think Beza's works are worth discussing on their own right, but I understand the need and desire to defend him. The book is written at a popular level, and at times was slightly too familiar. Overall, this is a worthy read for anyone who would like an introduction to Beza's work. It has made me want to study his writings in greater detail.
After a few chapters of biography, the rest of the book interacts with and presents several of Beza's works. My personal favorite was a book he wrote during the Black Plague. He answers the question of whether Christians should flee the disease and whether the plague is infectious or spreads by divine providence. It is fascinating to read in light of COVID, and a reminder that some things never change. All of his works were very pastoral, reminiscent of Calvin.
There are times the book's focus on defending Beza becomes too heavy-handed. I think Beza's works are worth discussing on their own right, but I understand the need and desire to defend him. The book is written at a popular level, and at times was slightly too familiar. Overall, this is a worthy read for anyone who would like an introduction to Beza's work. It has made me want to study his writings in greater detail.
January 7, 2017
This book on Beza provides a good overview and summary of His teaching, doing especially well with putting Beza into the context of His time and of the events going on then. Wright represents Beza's critics and then provides, from Beza's own writings, refutations of the criticisms . One theme than runs through the book, and seemingly through Beza's life, was his pastoral commitment. As such, his teaching wasn't just for the sake of knowledge, but was for the spiritual growth of his flock. My only beef with the book was that the title implied that this would be more of a biography.
August 28, 2016
An excellent corrective to much of the mythology surrounding Theodore Beza. It is interesting that while both Calvin and Beza held to double predestination, this position was not the only option among the Reformed. Henry Bullinger and Peter Martyr Vermigli held to single predestination. On page 114, however, there was a howler when the author said that God is a complex being. I think he means according to our conceptions, but, even so, this sentence was a bad one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews