Zwingli and the Swiss Reformations Switzerland was made up of 13 cantons – some were Protestant, others Catholic and others mixed Two main preconditions for Swiss Reformation Popular opposition to mercenary service; Desire for reform since Councils of Constance and Basel.

Reformation in Zurich Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) humanist; Chaplain with mercenaries in Battle of Marignano in Italy in 1515; led to criticizing mercenary armies because they threaten Swiss sovereignty and morality; Opposed indulgences and religious superstitions. competed for People’s Priest in Church of Zurich. Fought fornication scandal; challenged celibacy of clergy; first reforming act: No longer need to be celibate. broke Lenten fast; reject all practices not literally supported by scripture. city government sanctioned Scripture Test; first examples of puritanical Protestantism.

Marburg Colloquy Landgrave Philip of Hesse (1504-1567) wanted to unite Swiss and German movements; had bitter theological differences Zwingli advocate symbolic interpretation; only spiritually in bread. Thought Luther still stuck in Medieval theology. Luther advocate when Christ in spirit, he is also in body. No symbolism at all. Thought Zwingli was a dangerous fanatic. Tetrapolitan Confession – semi-Zwinglian views, prepared by reformers Martin Bucer, Caspar Hedioin 1530.

Swiss Civil Wars Two major battles at Kappel Protestant victory forces Catholic cantons to sever foreign alliances and recognize Protestant rights Zwingli wounded, executed, dismembered and scattered; Treaty allowed cantons to determine own religion. Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575), son-in-law, becomes successor of Zwingli.

Anabaptists and Radical Protestants Fundamentalists want faster reforms, more through Apostolic Christianity. Anabaptists: ancestors of modern Mennonite, Amish. Only baptize as adult because Jesus was baptized as an adult. Luther, Zwingli argued that congregation stood for infant’s place. Communal church vs. radical individualism 

Conrad Grebel and the Swiss Brethren Conrad Grebel (1498-1526) founded Anabaptistism. Schleitheim Confession: anabaptists are pacifist, refusal to oath, no participate in secular government Authorities viewed separatism as threat and sedition.

The Anabaptist Reign in Munster Lutherns, Zwinglians, and Catholics persecuted anabaptists. Munster becomes Anabaptism capital; Jan Matthys of Haarlem, Jan Beukelsz of Leiden controlled Munster Lutheran and Catholics forced to convert or leave city; Adopted polygamy and becomes an Old Testament theocracy. Protestant and Catholic armies besiege the city and eventually execute leaders. Menno Simons (1496-1561) founded Mennonites, non-provocative separatist Anabaptist.

Spiritualists Antitritinarians God speaks directly to you, in the present. Thomas Muntzer – died in a peasant’s revolt. Sebastian Franck – critic of dogmatic religion; advocate of religious autonomy. Antitritinarians Believed in commonsense, rational, ethical religion. Michael Servetus (1511-1553), executed in Geneva for blasphemy Lelio and Faustus Sozzini founded Socinianism, opponenets of Calvinism and their belief in original sin and predestination.

John Calvin and the Genevan Reformation Midway through the 16th century Calvinism replaces Lutheranism as dominant Protestant force in Europe; Established in Palatinate (Germany state in the Rhineland). Strong belief in predestination and an individuals responsibility to reorder society according to God’s plan. John Calvin (1509-64) son of secretary to bishop of Noyon; received benefices that paid for education and law degree. In 1534 he makes his conversion, surrenders benefices and joins the Reformation.

Political Revolt and Religious Reform in Geneva City of Bern sent reformers Guillaume Farel (1489-1565) and Antoine Froment(1508- 1581) to Geneva. Calvin arrives and Farel convince him to stay; they present articles of governance and catechism but the people thought they were too strong; they restore traditional ceremonies and exile Calvin and Farel. Cavin goes to Strasbourg and writes the second edition Institutes of the Christian Religion – definitive moral statement of Protestant faith.

Calvin’s Geneva Genevan officials who liked Calvin elected. They invited him to return and implemented his reforms. Predestination: offend nonbelievers but true Christians take comfort because they know their lives are determined by a loving God. Enforced moral discipline. Had to practice what you preach. Execution of Michael Servetus damaged Calvin’s reputation. Geneva becomes home to exiled Protestants from France, England, Scotland “woman’s paradise” because they beat men who beat women.

The Diet of Augsburg Charles V focused on expanding empire; eventually directs Diet of Augsburg which orders Lutherans to reconvert to Catholicism. Lutherans form the defensive Schmalkaldic League; banner becomes Augsburg Confession; Luther eventually writes Schmalkaldic Articles Led by Landgrave Philip of Hesse and Elector John Frederick of Saxony; stalemated with emperor who became distracted by France and Turks once again.

The Expansion of the Reformation Consistories – theologians and lawyers replaced Catholic episcopates with Protestant churches. Christian II (r. 1513-1523) introduced Reformation to Denmark; promoted by Frederick 1; Christian III (r. 1536-1559) establishes it as the state religion. Gustavus Vasa (r. 1523-1560) of Sweden confiscated church property; Diet of Vesteras (1527) subjected clergy to royal authority. Supported by greedy nobility. Poland: no central political authority; all Protestant sects could practice. Model of toleration

Reactions Against Protestants Charles V tries to compromise with Protestants; Imperial army defeats Schmalkaldic League; capture Frederick of Saxony and Philip of Hesse. German city of Magdeburg became center of Lutheran Resistance

The Peace of Augsburg Maurice of Saxony converts to Lutheranism; Charles V confronted by fierce resistance, exhausted from decades of war, and recently defeated by protestant armies grants religious freedom in Peace of Passau. Peace of Augsburg ruler of land determines religion. Lutherans can keep seized church land. Catholic prelates couldn’t take their lands and titles with them. Freedom to migrate to different region with different religion. Did not accept Calvinism and Anabaptism; Calvinists planned revolutions to gain freedom.