October 20 – Guillaume Farel: The Fiery Evangelist of Geneva

The Reformation spread across Europe through the work of men with very different personalities. Some were scholars, others pastors, and still others evangelists whose bold preaching ignited whole cities. Guillaume Farel, the French reformer of Geneva, belonged to the latter category. Known for his fiery zeal and fearless proclamation, Farel prepared the way for John Calvin and helped establish Geneva as a stronghold of the Reformation.

Early Life and Conversion

Farel was born in 1489 in the Dauphiné region of France. Raised in a devout Catholic family, he grew up immersed in the rituals of the church. He studied in Paris under Jacques Lefèvre d’Étaples, a humanist scholar who emphasized returning to the Scriptures. Through this influence, Farel was converted to the gospel, leaving behind superstition for faith in Christ alone.

Farel soon became convinced that reform was not optional but essential. He believed God was calling him to proclaim the truth boldly, no matter the cost.

A Fiery Preacher

Farel’s preaching was passionate and uncompromising. He thundered against idolatry, indulgences, and false worship. Wherever he went, he confronted superstition and called people to repentance and faith in Christ.

His zeal often sparked riots. In Meaux, his preaching led to violent opposition, forcing him to flee. In Neuchâtel, he helped lead the city to embrace the Reformation after fierce conflict. His fiery personality earned him both followers and enemies, but no one could ignore him.

Theology and Convictions

Farel’s theology was in line with the core truths of the Reformation:

• Sola Scriptura: God’s Word, not church tradition, is the final authority.

• Sola Fide: Justification comes by faith alone, apart from works.

• Christ Alone: Salvation is found only in the finished work of Christ.

• Purity of Worship: He rejected images, relics, and the mass as contrary to Scripture.

For Farel, reform was not merely intellectual but practical. He wanted every city, every church, and every believer to live under the rule of God’s Word.

Geneva and Calvin

Farel’s most significant ministry was in Geneva. Arriving there in 1532, he began preaching with his characteristic zeal. The city was steeped in Catholic traditions, but Farel’s message stirred hearts. In 1536, Geneva officially embraced the Reformation, thanks largely to his preaching.

That same year, John Calvin, a young scholar fleeing France, passed through Geneva intending only to stay one night. Farel, recognizing his gifts, implored him to remain. When Calvin hesitated, preferring the quiet life of study, Farel famously declared: “You are following only your own wishes. If you refuse to dedicate yourself with us to this work of the Lord, God will curse your repose.”

Those words shook Calvin, and he agreed to stay. The partnership between Farel’s fiery preaching and Calvin’s theological clarity turned Geneva into the “school of the Reformation,” training pastors and missionaries who spread the gospel across Europe.

Later Years

Though overshadowed by Calvin in later years, Farel continued to preach and evangelize across French-speaking Switzerland. His zeal never waned. Even into his seventies, he remained active in ministry. He married late in life and continued preaching until his death in 1565 at the age of seventy-six.

Legacy

Guillaume Farel’s legacy is that of a pioneer evangelist. Without his bold preaching, Geneva might never have embraced the Reformation. Without his fiery challenge, Calvin might never have stayed. Farel’s passion, though sometimes abrasive, was used by God to prepare the way for greater reform.

Biblical Reflection

Farel’s life reflects Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Farel lived unashamed of the gospel. His courage to preach Christ, even in the face of violence, shows the power of God’s Word to transform cities and nations.

Application for Today

From Guillaume Farel’s story, we learn:

1. Boldness is Needed – Farel reminds us that gospel proclamation requires courage, even when it offends the world.

2. Partnership Matters – His role in persuading Calvin to remain in Geneva shows how God uses relationships to shape history.

3. Zeal Must Be Harnessed by Truth – Farel’s fiery spirit sometimes caused conflict, but his passion for Christ challenges us to avoid apathy in our faith.

Conclusion

Guillaume Farel may not have written great theological tomes or founded schools, but his fearless preaching helped turn Geneva into a center of gospel light. His boldness prepared the way for Calvin and the worldwide spread of the Reformation. His life reminds us that God uses different personalities and gifts for His glory, and that the gospel requires not only careful teaching but also fearless proclamation.