The Zwinglian Reformation
The Swiss Confederation by the 16th century was made up of 13 states known as cantons. Even thought they were technically under the Holy Roman Empire, they were pretty much independent. There were six democratic republics, from the forest, and seven urban cantons which were controlled by wealthy citizens. Ulrich Zwingli came from a well to do peasant in one of the forest cantons. Zwingli became interested in Christian humanism while he was studying in Vienna and Basel. He then became a priest in 1506, and moved to the Swiss countryside. Later, in 1518, he was called to be the Great Minster of Zürich where he started the Swiss Reformation.
Because of how much Zwingli preached the gospel, the city had to have a debate in the town hall in 1523. The reformers were able to express these new ideas, and it was an advantage to them, so disputations became very popular in cities. Zwingli later won and was granted the right to preach freely in Zürich.
Because of how much Zwingli preached the gospel, the city had to have a debate in the town hall in 1523. The reformers were able to express these new ideas, and it was an advantage to them, so disputations became very popular in cities. Zwingli later won and was granted the right to preach freely in Zürich.
Reforms in Zürich
Zwingli helped to reform many things in the church in Zürich during the time he helped supervise. He had all of the paintings and relics and decorations removed from the churches so that they had clean, white walls. The Catholic Mass was also replaced by Lutheran prayers and sermons, as well as Bible passage-reading. Many of the important Catholic traditional things were thrown out such as monasticism, pilgrimages, the pope’s authority, and the veneration of saints. Zwingli’s reformation then moved to Bern in 1528 and Basel in 1529.
A Futile Search for Unity
Zwingli did have problems with the forest cantons, who stayed heavily Catholic. Zwingli was scared that these cantons would try and become allies with the Habsburgs, so he asked Martin Luther for help and friendship. Both Zwingli and Luther recognized their need for unity as a Lutheran church if they were to keep the cause moving forward.
Philip of Hesse decided to do something about the split between the reformers, so he tried to get the leaders of the Swiss and German churches to attend a colloquy in Marburg. The disagreement between the two parties was over a very specific topic, however: the Lord’s Supper. While Zwingli did not believe in transubstantiation, Luther did. Even after the colloquy in 1529, there was no agreement, and therefore, no alliance. Because of this division, later on, the Protestant group would eventually break into multiple parts.
After a long buildup of tension, the Swiss Catholic and Protestant cantons had a war in October of 1531. The Protestant side suffered a huge loss, and Zwingli was killed and then his body was dishonored by his enemies. This was just a taste of what the division among Christians would turn into in the 16th century. Even Martin Luther was glad Zwingli was gone and said that Zwingli “got what he deserved."
Philip of Hesse decided to do something about the split between the reformers, so he tried to get the leaders of the Swiss and German churches to attend a colloquy in Marburg. The disagreement between the two parties was over a very specific topic, however: the Lord’s Supper. While Zwingli did not believe in transubstantiation, Luther did. Even after the colloquy in 1529, there was no agreement, and therefore, no alliance. Because of this division, later on, the Protestant group would eventually break into multiple parts.
After a long buildup of tension, the Swiss Catholic and Protestant cantons had a war in October of 1531. The Protestant side suffered a huge loss, and Zwingli was killed and then his body was dishonored by his enemies. This was just a taste of what the division among Christians would turn into in the 16th century. Even Martin Luther was glad Zwingli was gone and said that Zwingli “got what he deserved."