The Protestant Reformation 3/4 - Calvin and Zwingli

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It's 1517. Huldrych Zwingli begins his reformation in Zürich. Zwingli bases his ideology on Luther and Erasmus. Unlike Luther, he is a practical man mainly concerned with civic reform. The north of Switzerland soon becomes Protestant, gaining the ire of the Catholic south. Zwingli tries to forge an alliance with the Lutherans, but they can't agree on Consubstantiation. The Zwinglians are defeated, but the Zwinglian reformation is a success.
Groups of Anabaptists also emerge in Zürich. Jan Matthys leads a radical branch to Münster. The Münster Anabaptists are massacred to the last man. Menno Simons leads a pacifist branch, originating the Amish.
The Swiss Reformation continues with John Calvin. With the help of William Farel and Martin Bucer he gains control of Geneva. The Geneva Reformation is such a success that many adopt Calvinism. The Calvinist Reformation is particularly successful in France and the Low Countries, putting them on a collision course with the Catholic Counter-Reformation.
Bibliography:
Collinson, P (2006). The Reformation A History
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McNeill, J T (1967). The History and Character of Calvinism
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Hart D G (2013). Calvinism A History
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Nauert, C G (1995). Humanism and the Culture of Renaissance Europe
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MacCulloch, D (2003). The Reformation
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Dickens, A G (1966). Reformation and Society in Sixteenth-Century Europe
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Spitz, L W (1962). The Reformation Material or Spiritual?
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Harline, C (2017). A World Ablaze The Rise of Martin Luther and the Birth of Reformation
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Sessions, K C (1968). Reformation and Authority: The Meaning of the Peasants' Revolt
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Miller, D (2003). Armies of the German Peasant's War 1524-26
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Parker, C H (2007). Between the Middle Ages and Modernity
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Viesner-Hanks, M E (2006). Early Modern Europe 1450-1789
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Cobbett, W (2012). A History of the Protestant Reformation In England & Ireland
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Dixon, C S (2020). Interpreting Early Modern Europe
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Collins, J B (2006). Early Modern Europe Issues and Interpretations
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Wilson, P H (2016). Heart of Europe: A History of the Holy Roman Empire
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0:00 Zwingli
2:41 Marburg and Kappel Wars
4:49 Anabaptists
7:42 Calvin
#Zwingli #Calvin #Anabaptists

[@laurynassedvydis320]

I see that the author does know his Early Modern History. However as it is penultimate part I would say say that it will end with Religious wars of XVII century. There are trends even with the traditional established Lutheran churches and constant conflicts about dogma and the meaning of Protestantism (e.g. in Prussia in 1540's-1550's). It also is centered on the the very early reformation and it is actually very difficult to pin down the non-confessionalised Reformation in Central-Easter Europe. E.G. In Poland-Lithuania the Sandomierz cofession was very late attempt to confessionalise and set strict rules on what do protestants have to believe. It is actually very difficlut in mid Sixteenth century to classify the type of Reformation adopted by the nobility in Lithuania, as it used bits and pieces from Lutheran, Calvinist and Anabaptist creeds. Late Sixteenth century dynamics in Calvinism is also fascinating - from monarchomachs to the creeds that attempted to reinstitute the splendor of the Church or attempted to be more palataeble to ruling monarchies (Arminianism). The influence of protestant reformation to non Roman Catholic world is also interesting - the so called "judaising" Orthodox Christians, the certain fascination with judaism and islam by certain anti-trinitarians. And the very fact that during Seventeenth century even minute sects (like Caraites) had their say in the discussion on religious dogma and thrology. The end period of how did the confessionalisation ended and the religious aspect became less pronounced in European politics in Seventeenth century is also a fascinating topc. So, Great videos, but there is actually more internal dynamics between the surface. Keep up the good work You are doing.

[@pikeshotBattles]

I can see the commenter also knows his early-modern history. Certainly there is much much more to be said, and this series was merely a setup for future series (so I won't have to start the 30 Years' War with 2-3 episodes of just introduction like I did the Italian Wars). Arminianism is certainly a very interesting topic, maybe I will open a tangent in that direction too. But in any case I made it quite clear that worldly rulers had a very opportunistic relationship with religion. I think that's most evident with the Dutch, where Calvinism was so prevalent, yet the high nobility was Calvinist only in words, not so much in actions or even in thought. As for the Judaising of Orthodoxy, this is the first time I hear about that... Can you elaborate? As for Unitarians and Islam, the admiration was in the opposite direction. IE. the Ottomans saw Transylvanian Unitarians as a purer form of Christianity, as (like Islam) they rejected the Holy Trinity. Unitarians themselves were just as opposed to Islam as were mainstream Christians.

[@laurynassedvydis320]

@@pikeshotBattles Judaizing Orthodox Christians were in Muscovy, but there were also decrees against them in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in Sixteenth century. It was an underground religious movement in full sense of this word. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sect_of_Skhariya_the_Jew

[@laurynassedvydis320]

I mean I personally believe that Carlo Ginzburg is correct in his theory that when we talk about "formal" and "institutionalised" religion we should always remember that "popular" (as in pop culture) and underground religious movements were numerous, yet poorly documented and sometimes their historical memory is suppressed. I heard this paper at a conference that in mid-Eighteenth century when the Catholic church started the more detailed observations of what the flock of believers believe they recorded a theological discussion with a peasant somewhere in Lithuania or Belarus, where the peasant was defending some Anti-trinitarian dogma, when the last formal Anti triniatrian communities (future unitarians) was expelled from the Commonwealth of Two nations in 1666. So without any direct influence. So yes, popular theology was a thing. In mid Seventeenth century there were parts of Europe that were not yet Christianised, and still functionally pagan, and the Counter reformers who started visiting the most remote areas still found people who were following local paganism.

[@pikeshotBattles]

@@laurynassedvydis320 Yep, Bosnians were practically pagan in the 16th century, that's why they were so easily converted to Islam. This dualistic view of religion is nothing new, after all every ideology works like that. Just look at communism. The theory was one thing and then there were a plethora of practices. Of course they said they were in the stage of socialism, heading to a stage of communism (that will actually conform to the official ideology). The Catholic Church also did this hypocrisy. That was the main thing the Protestants wanted to do away with. When they failed, they became even bigger hypocrites.

[@itarry4]

@@pikeshotBattles not sure they became more hypocritical in the end to be honest. Both are perfectly happy being used and using their theology to gain power or when other do the same thing. That's religion unfortunately. It's far too easy to twist and interpret anyway you want and it's human to utilise whatever you can to survive and thrive.

[@silentone911]

Dude it needs to be said more, but your blend of humor and dense but digestible info seriously puts you in the top tier of history creators. You have a distinct style, the numbers will come. Please keep pumping out content, looking forward to part 4!

[@pikeshotBattles]

Yes, there will be a part 4! Enjoy

[@ZillyWhale]

Thank you for giving me a moment of sanity in this world. Keep it up.

[@DreamerFromBeyond]

Thank you for your wonderful content makes my Quarantine somewhat acceptable :D

[@saotome6502]

I Love Your Work

[@Humble_Merchant]

Favorite history channel on YT.

[@mihaiionita5657]

Man, Im a history student and I prefer your videos as some parts of the info Im given at college are rushed through. Keep it up!

[@pikeshotBattles]

Glad to hear! This was my purpose.

[@maxmagnus3793]

Love the series and your previous series too. Can't wait for the next part!

[@e.1165]

Significantly, Calvin did NOT share Zwingli's view of the Lord's Supper. While Zwingli taught and popularized memorialism (the doctrine that the Lord's Supper is a memorial merely), Calvin (and his theological successors) held that by faith the Christian is truly, spiritually, fed and nourished by Christ in the Lord's Supper. This is a distinction of the utmost importance.

[@5thMilitia]

Great video man. I hope u will do something about the dutch revolt in the future :)

[@MrRobfullarton]

I hope so too!

[@pikeshotBattles]

For sure!

[@captainkolding]

Thank you for uploading another great video. Your videos on the Italian wars are unsurpassed on youtube in among English language videos. Judging from your accent, I would guess that you are Italian - and yet , like a true historian, you now make good unbiased videos about the protestant reformation. I look forward to more good content :-)

[@pikeshotBattles]

I'm Hungarian actually. Hungarian is the second most musical language after Italian... So you were almost on the right track there. :))

[@MrRobfullarton]

Good video!I assume the next video will be about Henry's break with Rome, John Knox in Scotland and Elizabeth's establishment of the Anglican church and book of common prayer!

[@pikeshotBattles]

Yes we will come to that too, but eventually... The Reformation on the British Isles was rather marginal in a European context. It will become important later with the French and Dutch religious wars. So it will be discussed when we get there. The next episode will be about the Schmalkaldic War and the (start of the) Counter-Reformation.

[@climberly]

This is fascinating. My family is Pennsylvania deutsch and my father's side of the family was from Eggiwil in Switzerland. The story in the family was that the community converted to protestantism but then the ruling prince converted back and told them to convert or die. So our ancestors fled to the netherlands and then to pennyslvania where the lived since. I see now they were likely amongst those anabaptists, and rather than being driven out by catholics they probably just passed down the story saying they were driven out by catholics cause they weren't protestant enough for them. Very fascinating stuff! Thank you for your hard work!

[@pikeshotBattles]

Interesting story!

[@richardglady3009]

Thank you.

[@saotome6502]

I Love this man, Zwingli.

[@RYBATUGA]

Thank you for this series on the protestant reformation! I would like to ask a question: why did you say that the nobles and merchants saw Calvin as an attack on their liberties on minute 9:30 and then say Calvinism was attractive to the middle and upper class on minute 11:10? I am confused by that. Could someone please explain it?

[@Thorupdk1]

I think the nobles and merchants referred to at 9:30 Is nobles and merchants of Geneva in wich at very strict form of Calvinism was established. The middle and upper class referred to at 11:10 on the other hand is the middle and upper class in a broder European sense where the Calvinist docktrin became a bit les extreme, and therfore a bit less threatening to the power of the elite.

[@RYBATUGA]

@@Thorupdk1 Oh okay, thank you very much! That helps me. Thanks.

[@sahhaf1234]

A perfect birds-eye view. I was thinking that the reformation was a predominantly german phenomenon, but now it seems that swiss were as important as the germans.

[@5thMilitia]

They are germans

[@pikeshotBattles]

Haha told you!

[@sahhaf1234]

@@pikeshotBattles Hope we wont wait long for the next installment.. I think it will be about french religious wars.. There is also that last episode of the italian wars, still to come..

[@pikeshotBattles]

@@sahhaf1234 Part 4 is just around the corner, but you will have to wait a bit for the religious wars.

[@rutvipatel2528]

4:17 is it supposed to be 1531 instead of 1541? I am no expert but I was trying to note it down for my paper. Correct me if I am wrong please.

[@pikeshotBattles]

1531, the Battle of Kappel.

[@chrisbarry6217]

I would not be surprised if Zwingli, Luther and Calvin were not born again believers but only religious men seeking to rebel against Papal Rome. A bit like Israel when Paul reveals his heart’s desire he says in Rom ch 10 v1+2 “Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” It is one thing to raise up an army to bring about better and peaceful living standards for the people. But we see the murder of individuals who had different beliefs yet still seek to live peacefully. Could we view them as the Chaldeans which God raised up to do a service for Him. I think so, breaking the stronghold of that world system Papal Rome. Remember God later punished the king of Babylon, and that nation, for their wickedness in the dispensing of that service.

[@arandomwalk]

Yayy

[@mexicanstatue172]

Munster wasn’t communist, maybe some vague proto communism at most

[@e.1165]

"Calvin is mainly concerned with ethics rather than theology." What does this even mean? I am not sure what secondary sources you are using, but they do not understand Calvin's thought. It might do some good to dip into John Calvin's own writings. There's plenty to go from.

[@pikeshotBattles]

Luther was interested in resolving the question of salvation, but was not interested in social reform. Calvin on the other hand wanted to reform the entire society with the help of religion.

[@baltichammer6162]

@@pikeshotBattles Pretty accurate. Jean Cauvin was more interested in power over people. Why else would he DEMAND the Geneva councils declare he and he alone was the voice of God on Earth and declare his writings to be Holy Writ the same as the Bible. Its astonishing the Geneva councils granted his demands and enforced all his "requests" and demands by the torture chamber and burning stake. Some were victims of the axe, like the 10 yr old boy whose hand was hacked off for allegedly hitting his mother. Geneva under Jean Cauvin had more in common with Stalinist USSR or Mao's China or ISIS than a "theologically enlightened" society. Cauvin claimed to be cleansing the church of popery but he imitated so much of its methods and behaviors.

[@tariqskanaal8187]

@@baltichammer6162 he definitely did all these things while he wasn’t even a citizen 😐

[@itarry4]

See I'm no fan of any religion. Personal faith is fine and of all the types of organised religions I think the English style is possibly the least offensive to me. However by removing the Statues and stain glass windows and covering up the many beautiful paintings we know once existed in churches to show the faithful the parts of the Bible the church most wanted to push they removed the 1 real saving grace that churches had. Their beauty and the story's. They made churches not just brutal and severe in the way they functioned but in appearance as well.

[@tariqskanaal8187]

Sorry no icons or images

[@fredharper4059]

Predestination and its appeal to the virtue signalling middle class🤣

[@mitrovdan]

One leaves and here we are, 2020 over 44.000 different protestant denominations in the US alone claiming to be the real church of Christ or just his followers. In the meantime the East (orthodox) stay the same since 33AD...go figure. We see what the west has become when it comes to religion. When one starts interpreting the scripture to it's own idea things tend to go very haywire. Catholicism same thing.

[@pikeshotBattles]

I might be wrong, but it's only in Christianity where lay people are required to interpret the holy scripture. Wonder why?

[@mitrovdan]

@@pikeshotBattles required? Be more specific, wich form of christianity?