Martin Luther — That’s a name that I’m sure you are familiar with, and I’m sure you know something of the central role he played in the Reformation.
And John Calvin. Well I’m sure you know a bit about him as well.
But what about Ulrich Zwingli? What do you know about him? Anything? Odds are, you’ve probably never heard of him. And if you have, it’s more than likely only been in relation to your study of the Lord’s Supper and how Zwingli’s view differed from that of both Calvin & Luther.
Well, if that’s you, and you have either never heard of Zwingli or know very little about him, let me encourage you to check out a new book by William Boekestein called, Bitesize Biographies: Ulrich Zwingli. The “Bitesize Biographies” series is a great new series, edited by one of my former SBTS professors, Dr. Michael Haykin, which sets out to provide readable, accessible biographies on a variety of heroes of the Christian faith.
To date, there are 24 biographies published in this series, covering many men that you have certainly heard of — Martyn Lloyd-Jones, George Whitefield, & John Newton — as well as many others who you most certainly have not heard of — Adolphe Monod, Augustus Toplady, & Girolamo Savonarola.
In this most recent addition to the series, the author lays out a very readable and engaging biography of the primary player in the Swiss Reformation — Ulrich Zwingli. The reader will learn about a man who, born just 1 week after Martin Luther, played a central role in the Reformation’s spread to Switzerland and beyond. You will learn of Zwingli’s early education and foundations that shaped his life, the influence that Erasmus played in his life, as well as his clash with the Anabaptists in the early 1500s. And in just 150 total pages, you will learn much more of Zwingli’s life and theology.
Will you agree with everything about Zwingli’s life and theology? Probably not. And that’s okay. But as you read this biography, you will see a man who loved the church, cherished the Gospel, was serious about the Bible, and had a whole-hearted zeal for loving the Lord. And surely we can all learn a thing or two from a man like that.
In accordance with FTC regulations, I would like to thank Cross Focused Reviews and EP Books for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Longing 4 Truth 