Heinrich Bullinger's original publications

This collection contains a selection of Heinrich Bullinger's works in Latin and German. In some cases translations of Bullinger's works into Latin, French, German, English and Dutch have been included because of their importance. This selection is of particular value for Reformation research in that Bullinger has always been overshadowed by Calvin and Zwingli. This situation is biased, if not wrong. In the first place, it was Bullinger who saved the Reformation in Zurich after Zwingli was killed at Kappel in 1531. And in the second pace, not only before, but also during and after Calvin (1509-1564), Bullinger can be seen as at least the equal of the Geneva Reformer for Reformed Protestantism as far as his influence and his importance are concerned. The term Calvinism, used as key word, is already found in the mid-sixteenth century in the discussions between the Reformed churches in Rome, Lutheranism, and the Radicals. But this word is misleading, because in this period the Reformed Churches had two main centers and two spiritual leaders, Zurich with Bullinger and Geneva with Calvin. Bullinger and Calvin were friends and companions who had much in common with respect to theology, church organizations, and other ecclesiastical activities, as well as the influence they exerted. All the same, it is by no means justified to describe them both as Calvinists, either from a general point of view or in terms of specific details. But there is above all another reason: Calvin's work has long been and still is a subject of research, whereas Bullinger's theological and ecclesiastical activities and his general importance for church and secular history have received little or no attention.

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Selector: Matthew Baker