How did Ulrich Zwingli start the reformation in Switzerland?
• In Zurich, Switzerland, meanwhile, a young priest was being drawn toward Luther’s reform movement. In 1522 Ulrich Zwingli began to make his moves to establish Scripture as the sole religious authority for the Christian (sola scriptura!). • Zwingli opposed the Lenten Fast, citing the lack of Scriptural warrant for the practice–a position which was supported by the Zurich civil government. • The bishop of Constance tried to suppress this innovation–but lost out to the Zurich government, which moved to take control of ecclesiastical matters within its jurisdiction. • Zwingli supported this shift in authority–claiming that the civil government, under the Lordship of Christ and guided in its work by the dictates of Scripture, was the legitimate voice or conscience of the believing community. • Zwingli soon proved himself to be even more radical in his demand for reforms. While Luther was interested only in restoring matters of personal faith to the standards of scripture (sola gratia,
