The Catholic Church had dominated and influenced the world, especially Europe, until the 16th century. The emergence of both Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli in the 1500s signaled rebellion against the Catholic Church. Luther and Zwingli have long-lasting legacies as the pioneers of the Protestant Reformation. Although the two hailed from different countries and were inspired by various factors, they held the key protestant principle as a uniting factor. Burns (2017) notes that, as Protestants, Luther and Zwingli opposed numerous Rome’s anti-biblical teachings. On top of the list of teachings that annoyed the two reformers is the concept of seven sacraments. Even though each reformer had a different view on sacraments, they found the idea of seven sacraments misleading and against biblical teachings. Another concept that Luther and Zwingli viewed as anti-biblical yet practiced and encouraged by the Catholic Church is the impression that clergy should be celibate. While Luther and Zwingli differed in various political, philosophical, and religious ideologies, both reformers believed in Holy Bible as the answer, guide, and sacred teaching.
Before comparing their foundational theological positions, it is important to highlight the most crucial discrepancies between Luther’s and Zwingli’s theological positions. Burns (2017) writes that Zwingli, who was a trained reformer in the theological system of Thomas Aquinas, embraced the idea that there is no way revelation can counter reason. For Luther, that idea did not hold as he believed that revelation in Holy Scripture refutes human reason. Luther, who was well trained in philosophy, understood that whenever God’s disclosure dissents human philosophical understanding, the word of God stands. Zwingli used his political adeptness to enhance his reformation ideas. As a result, Zwingli was more radical than Luther. Therefore, Luther and Zwingli differed in a few theological positions but shared the common ideology of protestant reformation.
Understandably, the core theological positions of Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli varied slightly in approach but were similar in context. Zwingli’s theological position was based on the authority of the scripture. While preaching, Zwingli explained, analyzed, and expounded on the biblical teaching chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Woodbridge and James (2013) explain that Zwingli believed that every practice, action, and doctrine should be judged based on the Holly Book. To Zwingli, the word of God had the ultimate authority over the traditions and norms of the church. Locher (1965) adds that Zwingli was able to question and find fault with the Catholic Church after analyzing the Bible. Therefore, Zwingli’s foundational theological position emanates the superiority of the gospel.
On the other hand, Luther adopted an almost similar theological position as Zwingli based on faith. Among the Protestants, Luther is virtually synonymous with salvation due to his stance and understanding of salvation by faith. Santrac (2017) explains that “for Luther, the justification by faith has become the summary of Christian doctrine, and a doctrine that distinguishes Christians from other religions” (p. 2). Luther perceives that the justification by faith represents varied forms of theological-humanistic behaviors resulting from exercising the goodness of human nature and free will. Luther was serious about the daily exercise of faith in every social setting as a necessary requirement for salvation. Occasionally, Luther reminded people not to doubt the biblical teaching as he argued that doubting means that the devil, pope, and all the adversaries have won. Hence, Luther’s core theological position was based on the justification of faith alone.
Overall, despite having different approaches towards politics, religion, and lifestyle, Luther and Zwingli believed in biblical scriptures as the sole guide to their lives. Zwingli was convinced that the Holy Scripture has all the answers that human beings need while Luther added that one requires faith to acquire salvation. Both defied the belief in human dictations on how Christians should conduct themselves. Their refusal bore reformation with their legacy still enduring centuries after their deaths.
References
Burns, Jesse. “Luther and Zwingli.”Lutheran Reformation. n.d. Web.
Locher, Gottfried W. “The Change in the Understanding of Zwingli in Recent Research.” Church History 34, no. 1 (1965): 3-24.
Santrac, Aleksandar S. “The Legacy of Martin Luther’s Sola Fide.” In die Skriflig 51, no. 1 (2017): 1-7.
Woodbridge, John and Frank James. Church History, Volume Two: From Pre-Reformation to the Present Day: The Rise and Growth of the Church in Its Cultural, Intellectual, and Political Context. Zondervan Academic, 2013.