Perspective on the Waldensians of the 16th Century from the Letters of John Calvin.

This article examines the historical relationship between the Waldensians, a Christian community persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church, and 16th-century Protestant Reformers, focusing on the Synod of Chanforan in 1532 as a turning point. It challenges the popular notion of a sudden, harmonious union at the synod, instead highlighting a gradual process of theological dialogue and ecumenical ties, particularly through the correspondence and influence of John Calvin. Calvin's letters reveal that Protestants regarded the Waldensians as part of the true church and actively supported them through missionary efforts, especially after the founding of the Geneva Academy in 1558. The article also discusses the Waldensians' distinct beliefs that led to their persecution and how some Waldensian congregations eventually adopted Protestant confessions, such as the Second Helvetic Confession in 1566.