‘Christ Our Captain’: An Introduction to Huldrych Zwingli
Overview
“This is the gospel, that sins are remitted in the name of Christ; and no heart ever received tidings more glad.” Huldrych Zwingli's contribution to the Reformation may have been just as important as Luther and Calvin's, yet many still don't know much about him, let alone read his powerful works. Zwingli preached against ecclesial corruption, fasting, the requirement of celibacy on the clergy, the veneration of saints, excommunication, and more—setting the stage for the Swiss Reformation.
In ‘Christ Our Captain’, Jim West presents a succinct biography of the First Reformer of Switzerland before providing original translations of excerpts from some of Zwingli's most important writings—writings appearing here for the first time in English. Covering topics such as prayer, salvation, heaven, and more, West's translations emanate the clarity and power of Zwingli's voice, and his commentary helps contextualize and illuminate the pious nature of a man whom so few have read. ‘Christ Our Captain’ is a primary text for understanding the life and writings of Zwingli, and a must-have for Reformation studies.
- Introduction to Zwingli and new English works translated by Jim West
- Important for understanding the Swiss Reformation
- Completely searchable and linked to your preferred Bible translation and other books in your library
- Preface
- Introduction: The Life of Zwingli
- Zwingli on Prayer
- Zwingli on Salvation
- Zwingli on Christ
- Zwingli on the Church
- Zwingli on Scripture
- Zwingli on Heaven
- Annotated Bibliography
- Appendix: The Berne Theses of 1528
Top Highlights
“Prayer, then, is nothing less than a certain confidence in God’s mercy.” (Page 23)
“When he engaged in Reform he simply saw so much Church music as self serving on the part of singers and musicians (organists in particular) that it actually distracted from true worship and so he banned it.” (Page 12)
“But the Scriptures are not ‘God said’ but rather ‘God says’; for in Scripture God continues to speak to us, even today. These texts are still meaningful because they are inspired by the Spirit of God.” (Page 61)
“Zwingli wisely distinguished justifying faith from what he called ‘historical’ faith; a holding of something to be true. Even demons could have historical faith, but that did not mean that they were redeemed. Saving and justifying faith means knowing that Christ died FOR ME, not just that he died.” (Page 37)
“It is for this reason that the Church has been weakened to the point of frailty in modern society. When blatant sin is carried out by members of the visible Church, the entire Church is brought into disrespect and disregard. One of the most pressing issues facing the Church today is the re-establishment of discipline in its corporate life.” (Pages 52–53)
- Title: ‘Christ Our Captain’: An Introduction to Huldrych Zwingli
- Author: Jim West
- Publisher: Quartz Hill Publishing House
- Publication Date: 2011
- Pages: 88