Friday, February 3, 2006

Huguenots in Church History


Dr. Couch, who were the Huguenots in church history? 
 
   ANSWER:  The Huguenots were French Protestants and Calvinists who were also the leading middle class of that nation for sometime. The name was adopted from a leading Swiss Calvinist by the name of Hugues. In 1685 the evil king of France revoked the Edict of Nantes that disallowed religious persecution against Protestants. The Huguenots became then fair game for official government and Catholic persecution.

   French soldiers could then pillage and torture them, but mercifully, (supposedly) not kill them. They were scalded with boiling water down their throats, burned on the arms and legs, forced to hold burning charcoal. The women could be raped and made to stand naked in the streets. 

   Some feigned conversation to Catholicism to avoid such torture but most held their ground. They escaped to other countries and many migrated to Canada and America. At one time they numbered up to a million and a half but were cut down in France to be but a few thousand in number. However, before they escaped, at the end, thousands were slaughtered. 

   I believe God keeps good score. I do not believe it was an accident as to how France suffered during their Revolution. They had long ago driven their most spiritual people from the land. Also, the French suffered terribly during both World War I and World War II. 

   I happen to know today several descendants of the Huguenots in Texas. Their families fled France during this terrible period and brought strong Christianity to America! 

   Thanks for asking, 
    Dr. Mal Couch