What was at issue in the disagreement between Luther and Zwingli over the Eucharist?
The basic issue in the disagreement between Luther and Zwingli over the Eucharist was the real presence of Christ in the elements, with Luther affirming the real bodily presence of Christ and Zwingli denying it. The dispute may be explicated in relation to their diverging views on the meaning and function of the sacraments. I. Luther on the Sacrament A. Meaning and function of the sacrament: The sacrament is a visible physical sign of the redemptive purposes of God, and as such they give the believer an assurance of his union with Christ. Baptism, for instance, is seen as a mode of strengthening and generating faith. B. Criticism of transubstantiation. (1) Fourth Lateran Council (1215): Where “substance” is understood as a thing’s essential nature and “accidents” are taken to be its inessential properties, the doctrine of transubstantiation asserts that during consecration the accidents of the bread and wine (color, taste, smell, etc.) do not change, the substance of the bread and wine
