Marburg Colloquy
5 major figures at Marburg Colloquy
- Martin Luther - Philip Melanchthon - Huldrich Zwingli - Johannes Oecolampadius (Basel) - Martin Bucer (Strasbourg) [friend/father figure to Calvin later]
Zwingli's humanistic hermeneutic
- Zwingli a follower of Erasmus - Quadriga (four senses) - Alloiosis
Quadriga
- four senses - layers of Scripture; similar to Origen and other fathers 1) Literal: face value/historical context 2) Allegorical: ethical, moralistic sense (doctrinal) 3) Tropological: how to act 4) Anagogical: forward thinking (eschatological); what to hope for
Alloiosis
- the letter and the spirit of Scripture - Influenced by Erasmus (Enchiridion)
Luther's view of the Supper
1. Consubstantion: Jesus can be physically present due to his ubiquity (omnipresent element of divinity) -- ex. iron in the fire --> fire and iron --> red hot rod (two--> one but still distinct) 2. Difference with Rome a. in argumentation: R.C: based on Aristotle (substance and accidents --> transubstantion); Luther: affirmed simply b/c of the promise of Jesus' words b. In relation to the change: R.C: power of ordained priest; Luther: change mysterious; priesthood of all believers; change real; faith of recipient makes it efficacious 3. Purpose: pfand (pledge): a symbol to assure his people of their fellowship; God is the actor providing assurance
Three important questions re: presence of Christ in the Supper
1. How to understand Jesus' statement in Matthew and Luke when he says "This is my body"? 2. How to understand Jesus in terms of space (Christological)? - bodily in heaven and present in the elements? 3. How to understand the link between mundane bread and wine w/ the sacred Incarnate Son of God?
Zwingli's view of the Supper
1. Memorial view - symbolic of the presence of Christ - saw R.C. in Luther's position - literally eat flesh? --> 1) paganistic; 2) abominable - softened stance/language: a spiritual presence 2. Difference with Luther a. A humanistic hermeneutic b. A covenantal reading 3. Purpose: also pledge but that of humanity upward to God and horizontally to others in the Church; -way of testifying/rejoicing in God's work in Christ and thanksgiving; -also means of assurance; - memorial, but framed in humanism: past to come alive --> continuing trust in Christ and his atoning work --> assurance given in context as if they are experiencing the death of Christ right then and there
The Disagreement
the Lord's Supper and the presence of Christ in the Supper
Marburg Colloquy
1529, called by Philip of Hesse in attempt to bring German and Swiss reformers, Luther and Zwingli to agreement/stabilize the Reformation - agreed on 14/15 pts - disagreed on the Lord's Supper: presence of Christ
Unresolved issues of Marburg Colloquy
Luther calls Zwingli and heretic --> Lutheran and Reformed traditions
Zwingli's view on "This is my body"
Matt 26; Luke 22:19 - Literal interpretation/natural reading: idea of bread/wine as actual body/blood of Christ is an unnatural reading of that text - Two issues 1) vile nature of humans eating flesh 2) Jesus' physical body and blood present w/ the disciples so it cannot mean the Supper had the body/blood in them - This is rhetorical (alloiosis): the "is" does not mean ontological but signifies or represents - Zwingli finds other texts where this takes place: - John 19: "Here is your mother": not ontological but representative - Luke 8:11 "The seed is the Word of God"
Zwingli's covenantal reading
Old and New Testament are interwoven in terms of Covenantal theology - the New Testament symbolized by the cup for a testament is only enacted upon a person's death; thus we cannot establish but remember what Christ has done