Zwingli - Father of Swiss Reformation Issue 4 | 1984 Purchase this issue

ARTICLE TOOLS

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Two of Zwingli’s best known statements are “Truth wears a happy face” and “Not to fear is the armor ”

Zwingli was responsible for the Zurich Council’s eleemosynary ordinance of January 12, 1525, in which the assets of the monasteries, which were taken over in the Reformation, were used to create a special fund to help the poor. Schools also benefitted from the fund.

Zwingli worked hard to shift the Swiss economy from dependence on mercenary service to agriculture and trade. He urged the people to productive labor with these words: “You are a tool in the hands of God. He demands your service, not your rest. Yet, how fortunate you are that he lets you take part in his work.”

As a youth Zwingli displayed musical gifts and learned to play six instruments.

In 1519 while a pastor in Zurich, the plague decimated the city. Nearly 3 of every ten people in Zurich died. Zwingli ministered to the victims and was struck with disease himself, but recovered. He composed a hymn about this ordeal see “Black Death Inspires Zwingli’s Plague Hymn”).

During 1516–17 Zwingli was pastor in the town of Einsiedeln. Later he acknowledged having a sexual affair while he was there.

As the reform proceeded in Zurich, Zwingli was criticized by conservatives for moving too fast, by radicals for moving too slow. In addition to removing the statues and artifacts from the inside of his church, he also forbade the use of the organ. The people were to give ear to the word of God alone.

At the Marburg Colloquy in 1529 (so named for the castle in which it was held) Zwingli and Luther could agree on fourteen doctrinal points, but could not agree on the last: the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. Zwingli urged toleration for differing views. Luther regarded Zwingli’s plea ...