Topical Question #1

Compare and contrast the 16th Century reform movements of Luther and Zwingli.The essence of the difference between the reformation movements of Luther and Zwingli was there view on the sacraments - baptism and the Lord's supper. Luther held to views that were much closer to Roman Catholic on the sacraments then did Zwingli. Both men held to a covenantal argument for infant baptism but Luther believed in baptismal regeneration. And again, both rejected the Roman view on transubstantiation in the Lord's supper but Luther held to consubstantiation where the body and blood of Christ were seen to "in, with and under" the elements. The Zwinglian reformation movement would be tied much closer to the Presbyterian reformers while Luther, in no small part due to his successor, Melanchthon, would create a new denomination given Luther's name but varied from his theological teachings. Luther and Zwingli agreed on much more then they disagreed as the Marburg Colloquy proved. They reached an agreement on 14 of 15 issues with the lone disagreement being on the Lord's Supper. Both men were ardent supporters and scholars of God's infallible word as found in the Scriptures. Especially the view on God's grace and man's need for Christ alone. The 67 Articles make their views known and plain in regards to Christ's once and for all sacrifice for redemption on the cross.