Four Reformers

[ITS]

Briefly summarize the unique contributions of each of the four reformers (Zwingli, Luther, Calvin, and Knox). Of the four, who do you think has had the most favorable impact on the church? Why?

[skleung]

Briefly summarize the unique contributions of each of the four reformers (Zwingli, Luther, Calvin, and Knox). Of the four, who do you think has had the most favorable impact on the church? Why?

Lewis Spitz describes Luther as the ?prime mover? of the Reformation. His confrontation of the Roman Church is considered the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. He questioned Scholasticism, Aristotelian philosophy, and Medieval theological approaches, attacked abuse of the sale of indulgences, questioned the authority of the Pope to remit sins, challenged application of the penance to the dead. He addressed the sacraments and challenged their number. In his theology he came to four great ?alones.? He articulated the freedom of the Christian, and how the man in sin suffers bondage of the will. He portrayed Law and Gospel as complementary. He made the Bible available in the German language. Luther was a popular, persuasive, productive and perspicuous as a writer. He started the Lutheran Church.
Zwingli was the humanist turned reformer of Switzerland. He maintained Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura, and Solus Christus in his first Disputation. He raised concerns about Lenten fasting because it was a violation of the Christian?s freedom. He was more radical than Luther, in that he wanted to purge the Church of everything that was idolatrous and pursue a return to primitive practices found in the Early Church. Zwingli called believers to view the Lord?s Supper as a memorial of Christ?s completed work and to pledge allegiance to Him in the sacrament. Spitz gives Zwingli the title ?third man? of the Reformation.
The second man of the Reformation was Calvin, according to Spitz. Calvin was the Reformer of Geneva. He was also a prodigious and powerful writer. His presentation of the Protestant faith, the Institutes, was a monumental publication. Calvin was a systematic theologian, and his writing presented a statement of faith for persecuted Protestants. While some suggest there was no core to Calvin?s theology, others have variously described it as God?s glory, predestination, or the Holy Spirit. Calvin was a minister, preacher, and teacher of God?s word. He was convinced that God wanted his people edified by it. Calvin stressed the church as important to Christian living. He set about fashioning Geneva as a model Christian commonwealth. His ideas concerning the relationship of Church and State were worked out in that setting, although he didn?t always get his way. His influence was just as far ranging not only because of his writings, but also because of the activism of those who were Calvinists.
Knox was more militant than Calvin. He was the Thundering Scot, and a self-styled Trumpeter of God. He was the chief Reformer of Scotland and is considered the father of Presbyterianism. Interestingly, in his varied travels, he was also influential in England when he ministered there, and contributed to the second Edwardian Prayer Book. He had a hand in shaping the Church of England as well as the Reformed Church of Scotland. Knox was summarized at the time of his death as ?not flattering nor fearing any flesh.?
In my opinion, determining who of the four Reformers has had the most favorable impact on the church comes down to a selection between Luther and Calvin. I consider Zwingli as having been influenced to some degree by Luther, and Knox to have been much influenced by Calvin, particularly since Knox lived in Geneva for a while. In some sense, Zwingli and Knox probably had greater influence in particular area of resistance to rulers. But, I believe that in depth of influence in Protestantism, It is Luther first with Calvin a close second. After all, Luther?s theology also influenced Calvin. In that sense, Luther started the Reformation. However, in reflecting upon overall, lasting, influence from the age of the Reformation to present, I vote for Calvin. In matters of the authority of Scripture, justification versus sanctification, and the sacrament of the Lord?s Supper, I believe Calvin?s articulation was masterful and has, therefore, benefited and buttressed more in their faith. I also submit that more of the Protestant denominations find their roots stemming from the Reformed Churches, even if they are no longer strictly Calvinists.

[beefjobber]

Luther seems to have been the frontrunner among these great reformers. He contributed his Theses against Scholasticism and his more well known 95 Theses against abuses in the Roman Catholic church, particularly the selling of indulgences. Through his personal conversion he came to realize and expound upon the righteousness imputed to man by grace through faith in Christ, this faith being a gift of God. And certainly his themes of sola fide, solus Christus, sola gratia, and sola Scriptura became battle cries of all Reformers. Luther's theology on the law and the Gospel, of outer man and inner man, of God-hidden and God-revealed, and of the Word and the Spirit also contributed to the Reformation movement. Lastly, Luther felt strongly that the Lord's Supper was God's gift to man, and that the body of Christ was truly present in the bread and the wine during communion.

Zwingli's contributions to the Reformation come primarily in relation to the Lord's Supper. He firmly rejected transsubstantiation and emphasized the centrality of the ascension of Christ, the lifting up of Christ in the Lord's Supper. Zwingli believed that the Lord's Supper was a memorial in honor of Christ's sacrifice, a pledge of allegiance to him. Zwingli was also passionate about the purification of the church, the removing of all idols, art, symbolism, etc. that could detract from the worship of Christ. He railed against fasting during Lent, instead emphasizing the freedom Christians have in the gospel.

Because Knox lead the Reformation in Scotland, his role has been downplayed somewhat. Nevertheless, he spoke openly about abuses in politics and the church in his First Blast on the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women. Particularly he was appauled at the way in which women, such as Bloody Mary and Mary of Guise, had taken on roles of authority and the manner in which they exercised their authority. He spent time as a galley slave, living out his Protestant convictions in a very difficult situation, as well as pastoring, working in Germany and Geneva, and writing an Order of Worship, Book of Prayer, and 42 Articles for the English Church. He also worked on a Book of Discipline for the Scottish Church.

Calvin is usually thought of as the primary figure from the Reformation. His contributions to the cause speak for themselves: The Institutes of the Christian Religion, his leading of the Reformation in Geneva, his numerous Commentaries on the books of the Bible, etc. Theologically, Calvin's contributions came in all areas, but were most emphasized with regard to the Bible as God's Holy Word, faith as knowledge, trust, and assurance, and the electing grace of God through Christ applied by the Holy Spirit. Calvin also taught on the role of the church in the lives of Christians and on good works as proceeding from faith rather than leading to it. However, Calvin's chief aim was to proclaim the glory and sovereignty of God in all things to all people, which was more than accomplished.

While it is difficult to escape the bias towards Calvin, I do believe that he was the most influential of the reformers. Luther is a very close second, as he not only shared many of the same beliefs as Calvin, but also he lived before Calvin and therefore played a larger role in jump-starting the Reformation. Nevertheless, Calvin's influence on Protestantism up to this day is undeniable; it has been monumental to say the least, reaching across all continents and all nations to all people.

[beefjobber]

I muat agree with skleung's conclusion regarding the most favorable influence on Protestantism by a Reformer. While Calvin has probably had the most favorable influence overall, the line between the importance of both Luther and Calvin is definitely blurred, if not invisible. These two men contributed their hearts and souls to the Reformation cause. It can be said that Luther got the Reformation up and running and then Calvin took the basic ideas of the reformers and expounded upon them in a way that no other theologian has ever done, resulting in consequences that are still present today and will continue into the future. Luther and Calvin were definitely a team whose efforts will never be forgotten.

[abmoody]

Briefly summarize the unique contributions of each of the four reformers (Zwingli, Luther, Calvin, and Knox). Of the four, who do you think has had the most favorable impact on the church? Why?

Luther is generally credited as being the instrument which God used to get the Reformation going in full swing. He only got rid of Rome's practices which directly contradicted Scripture. Thus he also kept much that later Reformers such as Calvin and Zwingli would discard in worship. Zwingli, the Swiss Reformer favored an Erastian view on the Government's authority over the church. He removed organs from the churches, white-washed the walls, and abolished choirs and congregational singing in worship. This is different from Luther who encouraged hymn writing and singing among the people. There is also their differences on the Lord's Supper which hindered their unity. Knox, contra Zwingli was not an Erastian. He was very willing to challenge the monarchy in Scotland and often brought Queen Mary to tears. :oops: Despite the differences among these Reformers, they were united in a common cause against that of Rome, and fought hard for the subsequent Reforms which were brought about. Calvin who came later than Luther and Zwingli, was characterized by his love for Scripture. He posited a unique view on the Lord's Supper as a real nourishment for believers in which they are lifted up to Heaven to be with their risen Lord. He helped continue and define the Reformation. His Institutes and Commentaries are still widely read :!: As to who had the most impact, I would say Calvin did. Although Luther had the most initial impact in the breaking away from Rome, Calvin has left a legacy where he worked out the implications of Reforms in Christian doctrine and theology. He has done a great deal to shape the doctrine that was to come after him.

[abmoody]

Luther seems to have been the frontrunner among these great reformers. He contributed his Theses against Scholasticism and his more well known 95 Theses against abuses in the Roman Catholic church, particularly the selling of indulgences. Through his personal conversion he came to realize and expound upon the righteousness imputed to man by grace through faith in Christ, this faith being a gift of God. And certainly his themes of sola fide, solus Christus, sola gratia, and sola Scriptura became battle cries of all Reformers. Luther's theology on the law and the Gospel, of outer man and inner man, of God-hidden and God-revealed, and of the Word and the Spirit also contributed to the Reformation movement. Lastly, Luther felt strongly that the Lord's Supper was God's gift to man, and that the body of Christ was truly present in the bread and the wine during communion.

Zwingli's contributions to the Reformation come primarily in relation to the Lord's Supper. He firmly rejected transsubstantiation and emphasized the centrality of the ascension of Christ, the lifting up of Christ in the Lord's Supper. Zwingli believed that the Lord's Supper was a memorial in honor of Christ's sacrifice, a pledge of allegiance to him. Zwingli was also passionate about the purification of the church, the removing of all idols, art, symbolism, etc. that could detract from the worship of Christ. He railed against fasting during Lent, instead emphasizing the freedom Christians have in the gospel.

Because Knox lead the Reformation in Scotland, his role has been downplayed somewhat. Nevertheless, he spoke openly about abuses in politics and the church in his First Blast on the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women. Particularly he was appauled at the way in which women, such as Bloody Mary and Mary of Guise, had taken on roles of authority and the manner in which they exercised their authority. He spent time as a galley slave, living out his Protestant convictions in a very difficult situation, as well as pastoring, working in Germany and Geneva, and writing an Order of Worship, Book of Prayer, and 42 Articles for the English Church. He also worked on a Book of Discipline for the Scottish Church.

Calvin is usually thought of as the primary figure from the Reformation. His contributions to the cause speak for themselves: The Institutes of the Christian Religion, his leading of the Reformation in Geneva, his numerous Commentaries on the books of the Bible, etc. Theologically, Calvin's contributions came in all areas, but were most emphasized with regard to the Bible as God's Holy Word, faith as knowledge, trust, and assurance, and the electing grace of God through Christ applied by the Holy Spirit. Calvin also taught on the role of the church in the lives of Christians and on good works as proceeding from faith rather than leading to it. However, Calvin's chief aim was to proclaim the glory and sovereignty of God in all things to all people, which was more than accomplished.

While it is difficult to escape the bias towards Calvin, I do believe that he was the most influential of the reformers. Luther is a very close second, as he not only shared many of the same beliefs as Calvin, but also he lived before Calvin and therefore played a larger role in jump-starting the Reformation. Nevertheless, Calvin's influence on Protestantism up to this day is undeniable; it has been monumental to say the least, reaching across all continents and all nations to all people.


Beefjobber has done a great job summarizing the contributions of these four reformers. It is remarkable to think what an impact four men could have on the course of history. God's providence is truly marvelous. These are men who by God's grace labored tirelessly to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in its pure form. Having experienced the freedom from the bonds of Rome, they did not grow weary of preaching justification by faith alone, and showing its being explicitly taught by Scripture. It is then shocking to see how little modern day Protestants do to speak out against hte heresy of Rome. We live among and work with Catholics. Many believers think of Rome as just a different denomination and not necessarily as the apostate synagogue of Satan that she really is :twisted:. The church needs able teachers, preachers, and apologists who might once again take up the Reformation mantle and carry forth the banner of truth into this dying world in the name of Christ. :!:

[zebart]

Beefjobber has done a great job summarizing the contributions of these four reformers. It is remarkable to think what an impact four men could have on the course of history. God's providence is truly marvelous. These are men who by God's grace labored tirelessly to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in its pure form. Having experienced the freedom from the bonds of Rome, they did not grow weary of preaching justification by faith alone, and showing its being explicitly taught by Scripture. It is then shocking to see how little modern day Protestants do to speak out against hte heresy of Rome. We live among and work with Catholics. Many believers think of Rome as just a different denomination and not necessarily as the apostate synagogue of Satan that she really is :twisted:. The church needs able teachers, preachers, and apologists who might once again take up the Reformation mantle and carry forth the banner of truth into this dying world in the name of Christ. :!:

This is the saddest thing I've read in months. "Synagogue of Satan"??? Fundamentalism at its finest, I suppose. The "errors of Rome" that instigated the Reformation involved abuse of the sales of indulgences, immoral practices by clergy, and (mainly due to the lack of education among the medieval masses) a misunderstanding of the mass and indulgences as always giving salvation. Yes, the Reformation did move from those pragmatic concerns to significant differences in views about justification, free will, and the like, but there no longer exists the circumstances that led Calvin and Luther to declare the Catholic Church the "Whore of Babylon." You've latched onto certain extremes of the Reformers without actually learning anything from their spirit.

Ecclesia Semper Reformanda!

-Z