Summary: This episode is titled, The Ultimate Fighter; Reformation Edition. The pioneer of Protestantism in the western Switzerland was William Farel. Some pronounce it FAIR-el, but we’ll go with the more traditional Fah – REL. He began as an itinerate evangelist who was always in motion, seemingly tireless; full of faith and fire. He was bold as Luther but far more radical. He also lacked Luther’s genius. He’s called the Elijah of the French Reformation & “the scourge of priests.” Once an devoted RC who studied under pro-reform Catholics at the University of Paris, Farel became just as loyal a Protestant, who was able to see only what was wrong with the Catholicism of his past. Farel loathed the pope, branding him a veritable antichrist, as did many Protestants of that period. Of course, the popes returned the favor and labeled some of the Reformation leaders with the same title. Farel declared that all the statues, pictures & relics found in Roman churches were heathen idols which must be destroyed. (more…)
