The Story of Huldrych Zwingli: The Swiss Reformer

Who Was Huldrych Zwingli?

Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) was a Swiss religious reformer, who is regarded as one of the founders of the Protestant Reformation. He was born in Wildhaus, Switzerland, and studied at the University of Vienna and Basel. In 1506, he became a priest in Glarus, and in 1518, he was appointed to the post of people's priest at the Grossmünster in Zurich. There, he began to preach against the abuses of the Catholic Church, and to advocate for a return to the teachings of the Bible.

Zwingli's Reforms

Zwingli's reforms were based on the principle of sola scriptura, or "scripture alone." He argued that the Bible was the only source of religious authority, and that all church practices should be based on it. He also rejected the Catholic doctrines of transubstantiation, purgatory, and the veneration of saints. In addition, he called for the abolition of clerical celibacy and the simplification of church liturgy.

The Spread of Zwingli's Reforms

Zwingli's reforms spread rapidly throughout Switzerland, and by 1525, most of the cantons had adopted them. In 1529, Zwingli and the other Swiss reformers formed the First Helvetic Confession, which set out their doctrinal beliefs. However, Zwingli's reforms also led to conflict with the Catholic Church, and in 1531, he was killed in the Second Battle of Kappel.

Zwingli's Legacy

Huldrych Zwingli was a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, and his reforms had a profound impact on the religious landscape of Switzerland and beyond. He is remembered as a courageous and influential reformer, who sought to bring the church back to its biblical foundations.

Additional Resources

• Huldrych Zwingli: The Reformer of Zurich by Thomas Lindsay
• Huldrych Zwingli: His Life and Work by Samuel Macauley Jackson
• The Swiss Reformation by William Safford