The Reformation in Switzerland
2002-10-19
I. The Zwinglian Reforms in the German Cantons of the North
A. Huldreich Zwingli’s early life (1484-1519)
Switzerland was the freest land in Europe. Made up of territories/lands called Cantons. A confederacy. They are stilled Cantons today. Switzerland was a cultural center, Renaissance thrived. Several Universities, one of which was Basel. Each Canton could choose its own religion. 3 branches of Reformation started in Switzerland. Calvin, Zwingli, Anabaptist.
Zwingli b. 1484, into a well-to-do home. Educated for the priesthood. U. of Vienna and Basel. His primary interest was in humanistic studies, though. Most humanistic of all reformers. Early ministry: parish priest in 1506. Preaching was philosophical and ethical. He served as a chaplain to mercenary soldiers. Swiss hired themselves out to various kings in Europe. Zwingli began to oppose mercenary service.
1516 he became a priest in another town, Glarus, and another Einsiedeln, a place for pilgrimages. He questioned pilgrimages that were unnecessary for salvation.
B. Conversion and reforms in Zurich
1519-25, Took pastorate in Zurich. He had already been studying Paul’s epistles from Erasmus’ NT. Some of Luther’s writings had also come out. A plague that swept through the city caused him to fear death, and that he was not prepared for it. So he converted.
Begins to oppose compulsory tithes, fasting at lent (he ate sausage), attacked the celibacy of the priesthood, against all organ music (smashed organs). Led to a debate in Zurich before the city government with a church representative, 1523. Zwingli was judged as winner. His ideas were put into practice. The church and the state were linked together as a theocracy in Zurich.
Changes in Zurich: Communion was changed so that the laity received the bread and the cup. Many priests and nuns and monks got married and renounced their vows. Images and relics were banned. Eliminated baptism and burial fees. 1525, Mass abolished.
C. Spread reforms to Bern and Basel
1528-29, this happened the same way, as a debate. All of this happened in northern Switzerland.
D. Opposition from the Roman Catholic Cantons
Protestant organizations: 1527 Protestant Swiss Churches to defend their faith. Rural Catholic Cantons: Christian Union of Catholic Cantons called to halt spread of Protestantism. This led to war, 1529. Temporary truce, until war broke out in 1531 because Zwingli went to Geneva to win people over. Surprise attack on Zurich by Catholics, and Zwingli was killed.
Results: Each canton could make their own decision. Protestant camps joined the Calvinistic Reformation.
E. Zwingli’s theological emphases
Most humanistic, impressed with philosophy and pagan culture, and ancient philosophers. Trusted the power of reason. Some ancient pagans would be in heaven, like Socrates. Everything that was not explicitly supported by Bible, should be rejected. Predestination: God predestines people to salvation only, not condemnation. Faith is essential in ordinances (sacraments) to make these valid. Nothing valid in themselves. Original sin was a moral disease, not guilt.
II. Radical Reformers (Anabaptists)
From ana, meaning, re-. Rebaptizers. They never called themselves that. Rejected infant baptism. Called themselves, Brethren.
A. Early Anabaptists in Switzerland
Factors that encouraged: Freedom in the land, mountains separate from papacy, HRE. Encouraged by Zwingli’s reforms and the Bible’s authority. Conrad Grebel was founder of the Swiss Anabaptists, converted in 1522, worked with Zwingli for 3 years. Broke away over the issue of infant baptism. Zwingli approved infant baptism. Felix Manz and Grebel held bible studies that were not permitted by the city government. 1525, Grebel baptized another man, George Blaurock by affusion. Pouring water over them. Blaurock then baptized Grebel and other believers. They were renouncing their infant baptism. This led to opposition. Public debate. When they would not give up their views, they were fined and exiled. Executed some of these people. 1535, None left in Zurich. Grebel died of a plague in the 1520’s.
B. German Anabaptists
Balthasar Hubmaier. Well educated person, doctors degree. Had pastorate in Germany near Schweiz. Came into contact with Swiss Anabaptists. Baptized in 1525, affusion. He was within the HRE, and he fled to Zurich, which was also the crucial year where the Anabaptists were ousted. Hubmaier burned at stake by Charles V of HRE. Hubmaier believed in separation of church and state. Authority of the Bible, and believer’s baptism. Some of them began to look for the return of Christ, and preparing for it in strange ways, revolutionaries. Melchior Hoffman was at city of Strasbourg. He began to preach that the Day of the Lord was near. People flocked there to Strasbourg. This was decided that this was not the New Jerusalem, but at Muenster. Jan Matthys became the new leader and led them there. He expelled all the Catholics at Muenster. Matthys was killed. John of Leydon took over the city and this group. Practiced polygamy, and sharing everything in common. Roman Catholic bishop recaptured the city and the leaders were executed. They were extremists. They were discredited (the Anabaptists) in the eyes of RCC and Protestants.
C. Menno Simons who led Dutch Anabaptists
Sanity was restored through the movement led by this man (compare Mennonites). He was a Catholic priest in the Netherlands. Converted by reading Luther’s writings. He gave up priesthood in 1536 because he did not believe what he was saying. His followers called themselves brethren, and after his death, Mennonites. Book of Fundamentals, 1539.
He said that the true faith brings a Christ-like walk.
Baptism does not confer grace, but an outward mark of Spiritual rebirth.
Lord’s Supper was merely a memorial of Jesus’ death.
A true truth consists of believers walking in the ways of Christ. The church can excommunicate sinners.
Governmental relations: Christians are to obey the government if it does not contradict the Bible. A Christian should not take part in government, nor participate in warfare (non-resistance).
Christians should not take oaths.
Christians should separate themselves, as in points above.
D. Kaspar Schwenkfeld, mystic
A nobleman. Came from German state Silesia. Influenced by German mysticism and by Luther’s doctrines. Emphasized the inner experience of the Christian, and subjected guidance of the Holy Spirit. Authority of Bible tends to be ignored at times in mystical groups. The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Scriptures. Schwenkfeld became a wandering preacher, and influenced small groups of people. 1720, (after his death) some of his followers went to Pennsylvania and Connecticut, Schwenkfelders, Schwenkfeldians.
E. Contributions of the Anabaptists
Doctrine: In common with some of the other reformers. Belief in the Bible. Differed with them on the doctrine of the church (ecclesiology), believed that the local church consists of only regenerate people. Believers are called out to be one entity, and that there is no unbelievers in their congregations. If this the case, then only believers ought to be baptized. Rejected infant baptism. Also the church and the state should be separated. All believers stand before God on the same level. We come God to the same way. Class barriers are broken down, no social classes.
Practice: Reached a class of people that was largely ignored by other reformers, the peasants and workers. They intended to apply the Bible teachings more literally than the other reformers, to conform to NT practices of the church. They were considered social and religious subversives and revolutionaries. Did away with infant baptism, which introduced people into the church and into the society. Considered dangerous people. Most of them were godly people, and were killed.
III. Calvinistic Reformation at Geneva
Geneva was founded by Julius Caesar.
A. A definition of terms
Calvinism, or Reformed Faith. System of theology that is based on Calvin’s theology. That includes other teachings his followers added later.
Presbyterianism. Form of church government. Representative system of church government.
B. John Calvin’s early life 1509-1536
He was born in NE France. Original name was Jean Cauvin. Well-to-do family. Studied at U. of Paris, Orleans, Bourge. Humanities and law. Expected to go into a legal career. Introduced to Protestant ideas in school, not converted until 1532-33. Calvin was forced to leave France when he spoke out in favor of the Reformation. Went to Basel, Switzerland, Protestant city. Intended to settle there in Basel. He wanted to study the Scriptures and write about his faith. This was not going to happen. 1536, he had completed the first edition of his theology, The Institutes of the Christian Religion. He published this to fill in a vacuum. Systematic summary, and dedicated it to Francis I, king of France, in order that Protestants would not be persecuted anymore.
The book was immediate success. The final edition was 1559. His book had 80 chapters in 4 separate books.
C. Calvin’s Late life 1536-64
Calvin wanted to leave Basel and go to Strasbourg. Had to detour through Geneva because of military operations. In Geneva, he met Guillaume Farel. Farel had recent success in establishing the reformation there. Farel needed help. Calvin refused at first, but changed his mind when he said that Calvin would be cursed by God if he left. 1538, The two had to leave, they were exiled over excommunication of prominent people from the Lord’s supper because of sin. Calvin went to Strasbourg. He ministered to exiled people from France. He got married there to a widow of an Anabaptist pastor. He was there for 3 years. 1541, people from Geneva invited him to return, and he did. Stayed there the rest if his life.
Ecclesiastical Ordinances. These reorganized the church at Geneva. Most of the power rested with a body called the Consistory. Made up of 5 pastors and 12 lay leaders. They often clashed with the government. The state was asked to be more strict with those who were excommunicated. 1546, 58 people have been executed, 76 exiled. This body had a lot of power. Most famous case was that of Michael Servetus. He was a Spanish physician. He had written against the union of church and state. Opposed doctrine of the Trinity. He fled earlier from the Catholic Inquisition, and was arrested in Geneva. Calvin called for advice from all the Swiss Protestant cantons. They all agreed that he was a heretic, and had to be burned, 1553. Calvin’s authority was never questioned since them.
1559, he opened up a school, a Genevan Academy for theological education. People from all Europe went there and brought Calvin’s ideas home. 1564, Calvin dies. Theodore Beza, head of the Academy took over the leadership of the church in Geneva. This was a theocracy.
D. Calvinistic Theology
One theme and emphasis: sovereignty of God, in man, salvation, universe.
Total Depravity – All have Adam’s sin, corrupted will to do nothing to save ourselves. Not that they are immoral or living at their worst. Their good deeds still fall short of God.
Unconditional Election – God chooses people as His own, based on His sovereign will alone. Not faith that he foresaw. Dual predestination, some for salvation, others condemnation.
Limited Atonement – His work on the Cross was only for the elect.
Irresistible Grace – Elect are saved, because the Holy Spirit irresistibly draws them to Christ. Efficacious grace. He will bring to completion to bring a person to Christ.
Perseverance of the Saints – The saved will not be lost, the chosen will persevere. Eternal security, preservation of the saints. Puritans were not comforted by this, they judged whether they were a true believer, and question their salvation, and wonder if they were chosen.
E. Calvin’s contributions
Writings: Institutes (above). Commentaries on many books of the bible. Sermons and letters published.
Education: All levels of education. Continues to carry to Presbyterian and Reformed circles today.
His Example before men of the day. Influenced John Knox of Scotland.
He encouraged democracy indirectly through his Presbyterian church government.
Indirect encouragement of missionary efforts. Tried to fulfill their calling by becoming missionaries.