The Waldensian denomination of the Christian church remains one of the more mysterious sects in history. While much ink has been spilled about the most common Protestant denominations, the simple, humble faith of the Waldensians gets lost in the shuffle. Kevin E. Frederick puts an end to this inequality by providing a detailed account of the Waldensians, from their formation in 1172 to the present day.
Frederick includes in-depth analysis of many aspects of the church, including
- the biography of its passionate founder,
- the causes of its spread throughout Europe and the Americas,
- the consequences of its merger with the Arnoldists and the Swiss Reformed Movement,
- the impact of its many acts of charity, and
- the tragedies of its persecution during the Catholic Inquisition and Nazi regime.
In the face of numerous massacres and other atrocities, the Waldensians' convictions never wavered. In 2015, they were finally given an important and unprecedented message from the pope himself, but that is not the end of their story. The Waldensians are still practicing their faith in Italy, South America, and North America. Inspired by their own past, they work to protect and support some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
About the Author: Kevin E. Frederick is an ordained Presbyterian minister and scholar of Christian history. Since 1985, he has followed his calling at churches in Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina. His current church is Waldensian Presbyterian in Valdese, North Carolina.
Frederick has dedicated a substantial portion of his ministry to issues of domestic violence. He spent more than a decade with the Presbyterians against Domestic Violence Network and led workshops in the United States and Guatemala about the issue. Frederick also created curricula about human sexuality and masculinity. His sermons, including one on domestic violence called "Clinging to the Threshold of Hope," have won local and national contests.
Frederick received a bachelor's degree in behavior sciences, a master of divinity, a master of arts, and a doctorate of divinity. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, writing, gardening, hiking, visiting his two adult children, and spending time with his wife.
