Question

The Marburg Colloquy, 1529 The Hessian Chancellor Feige: My gracious prince and lord [Landgrave Philip of Hesse] has summoned you for the express and urgent purpose of settling the dispute over the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.... Let everyone on both sides present his arguments in a spirit of moderation.... Now then, Doctor Luther, you may proceed. Luther: Noble prince, gracious lord! Undoubtedly the colloquy is well intentioned.... Although I have no intention of changing my mind, which is firmly made up, I will nevertheless present the grounds of my belief and show where the others are in error.... Your basic contentions are these: In the last analysis you wish to prove that a body cannot be in two places at once, and you produce arguments about the unlimited body which are based on natural reason. I do not question how Christ can be God and man and how the two natures can be joined. For God is more powerful than all our ideas, and we must submit to his word. Prove that Christ’s body is not there where the Scripture says, “This is my body!” Rational proofs I will not listen to.... It is God who commands, “Take, eat, this is my body.” I request, therefore, valid scriptural proof to the contrary. Zwingli: I insist that the words of the Lord’s Supper must be figurative. This is ever apparent, and even required by the article of faith: “taken up into heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father.” Otherwise, it would be absurd to look for him in the Lord’s Supper at the same time that Christ is telling us that he is in heaven. One and the same body cannot possibly be in different places.... Luther: I call upon you as before: your basic contentions are shaky. Give way, and give glory to God! Zwingli: And we call upon you to give glory to God and to quit begging the question! The issue at stake is this: Where is the proof of your position? I am willing to consider your words carefully—no harm meant! You’re trying to outwit me.... You’ll have to sing another tune. Luther: You’re being obnoxious. Zwingli: (excitedly) Don’t you believe that Christ was attempting in John 6 to help those who did not understand? Luther: You’re trying to dominate things! You insist on passing judgment! Leave that to someone else! ... It is your point that must be proved, not mine. But let us stop this sort of thing. It serves no purpose. Zwingli: It certainly does! It is for you to prove that the passage in John 6 speaks of a physical repast. Luther: You express yourself poorly and make about as much progress as a cane standing in a corner. You’re going nowhere. Zwingli: No, no, no! This is the passage that will break your neck! Luther: Don’t be so sure of yourself. Necks don’t break this way. You’re in Hesse, not Switzerland.

How did the positions of Zwingli and Luther on the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper differ? What was the purpose of this debate? Based on this example, why do you think Reformation debates led to further hostility rather than compromise and unity between religious and sectarian opponents? What implications did this have for the future of the Protestant Reformation?

Answer 1

Marin Luther and Zwingli were contemporaries of the the Reformation period. Both had believed in Christianity and tried to spread their ideas through their writings.Martin Luther, on his Protestant stand believed that Christians are saved by faith, not by effort.H e also opposed the Church intervention in the affairs of the State, and strongly criticized the corruption in the Church.

Zwingli was a Zwizz Reformation leader who believed that Church and State are placed under the same sovereign rule of God. He said that the real power is vested in the hands of the Lord.

The main dispute between these two Reformers was over the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Zwingli said that a body cannot be in two places at once. By quoting 'Take, eat, this is my body” , he challenges Martin to prove that Christ OR  the same body cannot possibly be in different places at a time. He asked for valid scriptural proof

Zwingli opposed Luther that the words of the Lord’s Supper must be figurative. This is ever apparent, and even required by the article of faith: “taken up into heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father.” Otherwise, it would be absurd to look for him in the Lord’s Supper at the same time that Christ is telling us that he is in heaven. One and the same body cannot possibly be in different place

Zwingli forwarded the Wordings from John 6 where Christ told His disciples about the TRUE BREAD AND VINE.....here Zwingli strongly holds his belief..

Here, we may note that after hearing this preach, many followers rejected and left Jesus because this teaching was beyond their understanding. Remember, Jesus asked His Disciples, " you too want to go?"

All these kinds of reformations really did worsen the hostility between church groups,people began to question the authority of the Church and its teachings. Afterall, it is best to believe that THE REAL POWER COMES FROM ABOVE!!