B-2 Origins of the Waldenses and Their Relationship to Christian Scripture
Presentation Abstract
The history of the Waldenses, an ancient group of Christians who resided in the mountain valleys of Piedmont, Italy, is a complicated story of faith and survival. Piecing this history together is difficult because so many Waldensian records were destroyed by papal powers. This study seeks to present a comprehensive perspective on the origins of the Waldenses and their relationship to Christian Scripture, while viewing the Waldenses as examples for modern Christians. The Waldenses were of apostolic origin, inhabiting the Valleys long before the advent of Peter Waldo, their alleged founder, and did not consider themselves reformers. They were among the first to translate Scripture into their own language, which they preserved for many generations before passing it on to the Protestant Reformers. The Waldenses’ steadfastness in the face of persecution and perseverance in spreading the Gospel to the world set a precedent that today’s Christians would be wise to emulate.
B-2 Origins of the Waldenses and Their Relationship to Christian Scripture
The history of the Waldenses, an ancient group of Christians who resided in the mountain valleys of Piedmont, Italy, is a complicated story of faith and survival. Piecing this history together is difficult because so many Waldensian records were destroyed by papal powers. This study seeks to present a comprehensive perspective on the origins of the Waldenses and their relationship to Christian Scripture, while viewing the Waldenses as examples for modern Christians. The Waldenses were of apostolic origin, inhabiting the Valleys long before the advent of Peter Waldo, their alleged founder, and did not consider themselves reformers. They were among the first to translate Scripture into their own language, which they preserved for many generations before passing it on to the Protestant Reformers. The Waldenses’ steadfastness in the face of persecution and perseverance in spreading the Gospel to the world set a precedent that today’s Christians would be wise to emulate.