Come Together

Nº 372

September 16, 2025

During September. I’ll be on a study tour in Switzerland and Germany exploring the roots of the Protestant Reformation. I will share thoughts I have along the way!

There is but one God, and they that serve Him should be one. There is nothing that would render the true religion more lovely, or make more proselytes to it, than to see the professors of it tied together with the heart-strings of love. - Thomas Watson

Martin Bucer renounced his vows as a Dominican frier, married a former nun, pastored the church at Strausburg (now in France), and played a significant role in the Reformation.

Bucer’s contribution was both exemplary and dangerous. Early on, he worked tirelessly to unite various branches of the Reformation and to bring peace within the movement. He played a substantial role at the Colloquy of Marburg where Luther and Zwingli met to try to resolve their differences over the Lord’s Supper. Luther emphasized, “this is my body.” Zwingli focused on, “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Despite Bucer’s efforts, the two never reached agreement.

He later attempted to forge unity between the Catholics and Protestants in Germany, also to no avail. His efforts led to his exile in England where he worked to find common ground between the radical and traditional wings of the English Reformation.

Some say he compromised too much theology for the sake of unity; other see him as a hero. To me he seems like a flawed man who took seriously Paul’s directive to the Ephesians to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) May his tribe increase.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin