Zwingli Ulrich (1484-1531)
Place of Birth: Born to prosperous family of Upper Toggenberg, Switzerland
Description: Swiss reformer
Education: Educated at schools in Basel, Berne, Vienna
Christian Work: Parish priest in Glarus (1506); gifted preacher, became chief pastor at Great Minster Church in Zurich; expounded Scriptures; sermons were scriptural, evangelical, fearless
Experience of Consecration: Plague in Zurich killed one-third of population; having been close to death, consecrated life to will of God
Beliefs and Teachings: Attacked clerical celibacy, worship of image of Mary, sale of indulgences, other church abuses; conflict with Anabaptists over baptism and Lutherans over doctrines; held Lord's Table as a memorial of Christ's death
Influences and Move to Reform: Influenced by Erasmus' Greek NT and his humanist views; acquainted with Luther's writings and become a reformer; open break with Rome (1523); aligned with Swiss reformers, he was first “Reformed” theologian
Circumstances of Death: Catholic Swiss Cantons fought Protestant Cantons; died serving as chaplain to army, at Kappel; friend Oecolampadius died later that year; Zwingli's successor was Heinrich Bullinger, close friend of John Calvin
Writings: Published his Commentary on True and False Religion (1525) and An Exposition of the Faith (1531)
Biographies: Jean Grob, Ulric Zwingli, translated by J.S. Stahr, Reading, PA: Daniel Miller, 1885; G.R. Potter, Zwingli, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976
