Huldrych Zwingli published his most philosophical book on the 3rd of July, 1530. Its title was Fidei Ratio. Dedicated to Charles V, it is a not too lengthy but very densely packed argument urging the Emperor to accept the Reformed point of view- or at least tolerating it. It is Zwingli’s statement of faith, in 12 ‘Articles’.
1- There’s only one God
2- God freely determines all things
3- Christ alone expiates sin
4- Our First Parents sinned (Original Sin)
5- Christ restores life
6- The Church is comprised of the Elect
7- The ‘Sacraments’ do NOT confer Grace
8- Christ is present by faith in the Supper (and this is the longest section)
9- There are Adiaphora
10- Preaching is the most important task in the Church and of the Church
11- The Magistrate too has his duty from God
12- Purgatory is the figment of some person’s imagination
Zwingli stresses these points of doctrine not because others were unimportant but because these were the chief areas of difference between Reformed and Catholic.
Filed under: Church History, zwingli
