Differences between Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin.?

Question

What are the differences between Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin?

Answer 1

Luther was Evangelical (Lutheran) in this theology in Germany. Calvin and Zwingli were Reformed in their theology. Zwingli (a Swiss contemporary of Martin Luther) and Calvin (French born) were based in Switzerland.

A lot of people like to indicate that there isnt much difference between the Lutheran and Reformed traditions. Some of the biggest disagreements between the two are over the nature of Sacraments and the Covenants of God.
Example- Eucharist
Luther- the bread and the wine are really the Body and the Blood of Jesus Christ, given for the remission of sins.
Calvin- Christ is spiritually present in the bread and the wind.
Zwingli- the bread and the wine are only symbolic and consumed as a memorial for Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

Luther And Zwingli

Answer 3

I know a major difference between Calvin, Zwingli, and Luther is on their views of the Eucharist. Luther believes in consubstantiation which is the believe that Jesus is "in, with, and under" the bread. This is not transubstantiation, which is what the Roman Catholic Church believes. Transubstantiation is the belief that the bread and the wine actually become the body and blood of Christ. Calvin believes that there is simply a spiritual presence at the Eucharist. Calvin believes that you can't pin-point Christ's location, but that the holy spirit is present at the Eucharist. Zwingli simply believes that the Eucharist are simply symbols of Christ.

Answer 4

They were all major leaders of the Protestant Reformation against the corruption of the Catholic Church during the 16th Century. Martin Luther was a German priest, whose most famous deed was nailing the "Ninety-Five Thesis" (complaints) on the door of a Catholic Church, then he refused to recant his criticism in front of the Pope, even though he was threatened with death. John Calvin was a French priest and theologian, and Zwingli I believe was based in Northern Europe, somewhere around Sweden I think. Luther and Zwingi believed that a person doesn't need a priest to save him, or to give him salvation. They called this "priesthood for the masses" I think. Basically, they thought anyone, through faith in Jesus Christ, and through good works, can save their own soul. But Calvin believed that not EVERYONE could be saved. That God chose only a special few who were destined for His Grace. So, some people, no matter how hard they try or how good they are, can NOT be saved by God's Grace. This was called something like Grace by Selection, I think.

Answer 5

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Check into their views on the Eucharist/Lord's Supper. Also, check into their views on baptism. Those are two good doctrines that can be easily compared and contrasted. As for wondering what type of people would have followed those men......I'd say that people who were hungry for a more direct approach to faith followed those guys. Up until then, the church leaders had the main access to Scriptures, and taught that an average person had to go through the church leadership to get to God. The reformers taught otherwise, and that probably made the common man want to follow them. For it gave the common man hope, that he could actually have a relationship with God directly, and get to know the Scriptures for himself. To sum it up, people hungry for connection with God would have respected the teaching of these men. Granted, these men each had some troublesome beliefs, and some were quite serious. But that can be said of anyone who is human.

Answer 6

All three are important in the earliest days of the reformation. The differences in their theology is subtle and complex. I recommend starting here:

Answer 7

god a.p. european history sucks. i have the same question lol