Page 6 - History of Christianity II- Textbook

When Erasmus’s New Testament in Greek appeared, in 1516, Zwingli immediately purchased a copy.
Zwingli taught himself Hebrew and Greek and wrote out and memorized Paul’s Epistles in the Greek
New Testament. He carried around his little pocket edition with him, memorizing much of the New
Testament. Zwingli was shocked to find that there was a world of difference between the teachings of
the Bible and the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
Zwingli’s beliefs were simple and straightforward: the Bible is truth; anything not in the Bible is not
truth. He believed that the communion elements were symbols of the body and blood of Jesus. It was
the simplicity of this message that garnered him great public support from his people in Switzerland;
and eventually outrage, and even war, from Roman officials.
In 1531 Catholics attacked the city of Zurich, and the Protestants went to battle against them. Ulrich
Zwingli joined Zurich’s army as a field chaplain. He was severely wounded on the battlefield, and when
enemy soldiers found him, they killed him and proceeded to cut up his body, burn the pieces, and mix
his ashes with dung.

Zwingli’s influence in the Reformation cannot be overstated. He stands as one of the greats of the
movement that began in Europe and remains today. Protestants throughout the world owe a great deal
to Ulrich Zwingli. (https://www.gotquestions.org/Ulrich-Zwingli.html)

Meno Simons 1496-1561

Menno Simons is without doubt the greatest figure in the history of the Mennonite Church.

He was not the founder but is often called the regenerator of the Anabaptist movement. He
certainly was its most important leader in the Netherlands during the sixteenth century.
Menno assumed leadership during a crucial period in which the Anabaptist movement was in
danger of losing its original identity. His prolific writings and moderate leadership were
essential in unifying the nonviolent wing of the Dutch Anabaptists and maintaining their
peaceful beliefs.

He is quoted as saying, “For true evangelical faith...cannot lie dormant; but manifests itself in all
righteousness and works of love; it...clothes the naked; feeds the hungry; consoles the afflicted; shelters
the miserable; aids and consoles all the oppressed; returns good for evil; serves those that injure it;
prays for those that persecute it."

1.4 Let’s Practice…

1-4. List four factors that led up to the Protestant Reformation.

5. What major doctrine did Martin Luther “discover” which helped him see the true path to
salvation.

6. What are indulgences? Why was Martin Luther protesting them?

7. Explain briefly Martin Luther’s views about Jews.

8. What were Zwingli’s principle beliefs?

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