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Christian History Magazine—Issue 22: Waldensians: Medieval “Evangelicals” is unavailable, but you can change that!

Founded by Waldo of Lyons, the non-sectarian movement known as the Waldensians has a chaotic history defined by unassailable perseverance in the midst of poverty and war. Their story of radical devotion to the gospel begins well before the Protestant Reformation and is based on three primary elements: adherence to Christ’s words, voluntary poverty, and public evangelism. The perilous journey of...

They wanted only to be a group of laypersons who were collaborating for a precise goal: in this case, to preach the Gospel. This dedication to preaching provoked a strong reaction from the Church, which led to a search for The Poor of Lyons and to their excommunication as heretics. This 13th-century carved stone relief from the cathedral in Naumburg, Germany, is known as The Waldensian Lord’s Supper. Included in the meal being taken by Christ and five common folk is fish—a practice associated with