REF - And the beat goes on: The Reformation continues (Lesson)
And the beat goes on: The Reformation continues.
Zwingli
In Switzerland, Ulrich Zwingli was preaching reform with his main tenets: the opposition to Indulgences, the Mass, monasticism, and clerical celibacy. He was a humanist who often preached using Erasmus' edition of the New Testament in Greek. He led a mini-theocracy within Zurich which advocated:
- Supremacy of the Bible
- Baptism and Communion as symbolic ceremonies (not sacraments)
- Rejected celibacy of clergy
- Emphasized simplicity in worship
Zwingli's dispute with Luther over the role of the Eucharist became the first major dispute among the Protestants in regards to issues of doctrine. The Colloquy of Marburg in 1529 marks Zwingli's official split with Luther over issue of Eucharist.
Calvin
Zwingli inspired John Calvin to establish his own church based on the tenets of Calvinism. While Calvin believed that faith was the path to salvation, he also believed in predestination, that an all knowing God knows from birth who will be one of the "elect" or chosen for salvation. He expresses his beliefs in The Institutes of Christian Religion, a book which is considered one of the most significant works on Christianity ever written.
Calvin was invited to establish a theocracy in Geneva ("a city that was a church") and only those committed to Calvin's principles of the omnipotence of God, the insignificance of humanity, and predestination were allowed to live in the city. Life in Geneva was austere with no tolerance for dissenters or individualism. Activities such as dancing, singing, gambling/playing cards and drinking were expressly forbidden. Calvin believed, like Zwingli, that church and state should combine in order to regulate behavior. The Consistory was a judiciary body composed of lay elders, or presbyters, who had the power to impose harsh penalties for those who did not follow God's law.
Those chosen for salvation were called the "Elect." Good works were unnecessary because God had already made the decision. Those who were chosen would be revealed through a "conversion experience." Those who had the experience should lead a model Christian life, being "visible saints."
Though it originally centered mostly in Switzerland, Calvinism spread out more than Lutheranism and, longterm, became much more influential than Lutheranism. It moved into Scotland, the Netherlands, and later into England as the Puritans gained a stronger voice. By the mid-16th century it spread to France, with the French Calvinists being known as Huguenots.
Knox
John Knox spread Calvinist ideas to Scotland establishing the Presbyterian church. By 1560, Scotland's parliament adopted Presbyterianism as the state religion.
The Anabaptists
The Anabaptists were a Protestant sect which believed in adult baptism, revelation, religious tolerance, pacifism, and the separation of church and state.
They were a voluntary collective of believers. This perhaps informs as to why they may advocate a separation of church and state - there was no connection or allegiance to a state. They opposed the taking of oaths, paying of taxes, service in the military or holding of public office.
The name comes from the idea of "re-baptism" as they believed you should only be baptized in the church once you were an adult. They believed only adults could make the decision to commit to Christ and therefore rejected the practice of infant baptism.
They believed the laity were equally equipped to preach and had no official church hierarchy. Women were granted many rights not seen in other areas. It was this idea of equality regardless of wealth that concerned many outside observers. Their beliefs were considered too radical for the time and they were persecuted by most.
In 1532, a radical sect of Anabaptists took control of the German city of Münster. John of Leydon promptly established a theocratic government which endorsed commonly held property and polygamy. All books with the exception of the Bible were burned. They also killed those who opposed their takeover. Combined armies of Protestants and Catholics retook the city and executed the leaders.
Not all Anabaptists agreed with the hostile takeover of Münster and many began to distance themselves prior to the recapture of the city. Menno Simmons (pictured, left), an ex-priest turned Anabaptist, preached simplicity in life and religious practice and gained many followers as a more moderate leader. The Mennonites advocated pacifism and Amish and Quaker offshoots soon followed.
While they were most influential in Western Germany, Anabaptists were also present in the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Russia, and England.
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