How Did Zwnglian Theology Become Popular in the U.S.?

[jinc1019]

Can anyone explain to me how Zwinglian theology became so popular in the U.S.? Many would point to the fact that Catholicism did not become a major denomination in the U.S. until large immigration movements in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but this argument (which I have often heard) ignores the fact that much of American theological history was founded on Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian teachings, and all of these theological traditions support the real presence and emphasize the sacraments more than the modern Evangelical church. So, does anyone know how Zwinglian theology became so popular in the U.S. and why so many left the Methodist and Anglican churches, which were very popular in early America?

 

[ltwin]

Can anyone explain to me how Zwinglian theology became so popular in the U.S.? Many would point to the fact that Catholicism did not become a major denomination in the U.S. until large immigration movements in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but this argument (which I have often heard) ignores the fact that much of American theological history was founded on Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian teachings, and all of these theological traditions support the real presence and emphasize the sacraments more than the modern Evangelical church. So, does anyone know how Zwinglian theology became so popular in the U.S. and why so many left the Methodist and Anglican churches, which were very popular in early America?

People started leaving the Anglican Church when it was no longer the established church in the various colonies. The Great Awakenings swept Baptists and Methodists to predominance. Methodists were not as formal as they are today. Methodists were very experiential and very popular on the frontier.

Over time, the Methodist Church became in the minds of many too connected with the “establishment”, and many thought that the Methodist Church had lost its way, giving up its previous emphases on holiness, sanctification, and the reform of society. The Holiness Movement emerged as a renewal movement within Methodism, but ultimately split from traditional Methodism.

The decline of Anglicanism and Methodism has nothing to do with their beliefs in the real presence, but their reliance on the upper classes. Methodism at first avoided this association with the dominate classes in the American social order, but as it became more established it too became over concerned with courting the opinion of the elites and lost its roots as a popular religious movement.

I would point out that a very, very large segment of Evangelicalism has its roots in Methodism: i.e. Wesleyan-Holiness churches and Pentecostalism.

 

[Monergistic]

Think, everyone- can you make a Eucharistic miracle happen on command? No. Why? No holy orders? Guess what Protestant ministers don’t have, particularly if they’re outside the mainline denoms. They don’t even really have a Reformed version of holy orders. So the pastor is a regular person with no special abilities being passed on. If any old person is incapable of producing some sort of miracle, so is any old pastor, minister, or priest. Without any belief in the power of holy orders (or even an understanding of what they are to start with), there is absolutely no reason why that line of reasoning does not follow. People can’t do this as a general rule. There is a loophole that allows certain people to do it. In America, to a large extent, that loophole was closed and the rule got applied uniformly.

 

[andrewstx]

Sadly even Presbyterians have become Zwinglians as well now. I was speaking with a Presbyterian Pastor on the subject of Holy Communion and Calvin’s teaching on the real spiritual presence.

He told me that most Presbyterians no longer follow Calvin but accept Zwinglian theology that communion is only symbolic.

 

[GreatergoodGod]

For me I see more Calvin influence in the American theological system.

 

[pablope]

Can anyone explain to me how Zwinglian theology became so popular in the U.S.? Many would point to the fact that Catholicism did not become a major denomination in the U.S. until large immigration movements in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but this argument (which I have often heard) ignores the fact that much of American theological history was founded on Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian teachings, and all of these theological traditions support the real presence and emphasize the sacraments more than the modern Evangelical church. So, does anyone know how Zwinglian theology became so popular in the U.S. and why so many left the Methodist and Anglican churches, which were very popular in early America?

What is Zwinglian theology? Is it associated with calvinism?

 

[FabiusMaximus]

What is Zwinglian theology? Is it associated with calvinism?

Zwinglian theology is the belief that there is no real presence, that the bread and wine only symbolically represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Calvinism instead teaches that there is a real presence, but the presence is a spiritual presence of Jesus.

The Great Awakenings and the Holiness movements of the last century, as someone else mentioned, are the primary cause of the spread of Evangelicalism, and therefore, of Zwinglianism.

 

[Monergistic]

The combination of restorationism and Sola Scriptura has to be a factor here. When your starting point includes nothing in the way of definitive tradition, the symbolic argument is the most convincing, particularly when this happens after Aristotelian substance theory has become obsolete.

 

[pablope]

Zwinglian theology is the belief that there is no real presence, that the bread and wine only symbolically represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Calvinism instead teaches that there is a real presence, but the presence is a spiritual presence of Jesus.

The Great Awakenings and the Holiness movements of the last century, as someone else mentioned, are the primary cause of the spread of Evangelicalism, and therefore, of Zwinglianism.

Thanks…so would it be fair to say…that Zwinglian is akin to Baptist beliefs? especially with regards to the Real Presence?

 

[andrewstx]

Thanks…so would it be fair to say…that Zwinglian is akin to Baptist beliefs? especially with regards to the Real Presence?

The only real difference is that Zwinglians baptize infants and Baptists as is well known only baptize mature believers and by submersion only.

Both traditions believe that baptism, like Holy Communion is only symbolic.

 

[jinc1019]

Great posts from everyone involved, I really appreciate it. I think all of the issues I was interested were touched on, but I am always willing to hear more, especially about WHY breakaway Methodists chose to abandon the Real Presence doctrine.

 

[andrewstx]

Is there a group actually called the Zwinglian church? Would it be the
Swiss Reformed?

Zwingli was from Switzerland.

Or is it more of an influence on evangelical churches in general and they have no church of their own?

 

[FabiusMaximus]

Thanks…so would it be fair to say…that Zwinglian is akin to Baptist beliefs? especially with regards to the Real Presence?

I would say that Evangelical movements like the Baptist Church have been, at the very least, heavily influenced by Zwinglian theology. Communion first and foremost, but also on the rejection entirely of the concept of a “sacrament” as opposed to an ordinance (while Luther certainly believed in receiving grace through sacraments such as Holy Communion and Baptism).

As someone else mentioned, Zwingli did believe in infant baptism, even though he did see t as a sign, not regenerative.

 

[Christian_Soul]

Zwinglian theology is the belief that there is no real presence, that the bread and wine only symbolically represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Calvinism instead teaches that there is a real presence, but the presence is a spiritual presence of Jesus.

There are Christians who believe in the symbolic representation but don’t believe Jesus is present during their worship services in spirit? I’m reminded of a Christian Church, Disciples of Christ pastor who told me, we believe the bread and juice are symbolic representations but sure hope the spirit is present.

 

[ltwin]

There are Christians who believe in the symbolic representation but don’t believe Jesus is present during their worship services in spirit? I’m reminded of a Christian Church, Disciples of Christ pastor who told me, we believe the bread and juice are symbolic representations but sure hope the spirit is present.

Some believe the communion is strictly a memorial. Christ is present wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, so whether that be communion or a prayer meeting Christ’s presence is the same.

However, we should not make the blanket statement that “all evangelicals” subscribe to the Zwinglian view. Many evangelicals would believe in a combination of the Zwinglian and the Calvinist views.