I have been reading Theology of the Reformers by Timothy George. In a section on Zwingli’s use of Scripture he writes about his “radical new pattern of preaching”. Here is an extended quote describing Zwingli’s preaching
ministry in Zurich:
He abandoned the traditional lectionary in favor of a chapter by chapter exposition of the Scripture. Heinrich Bullinger observed that Zwingli refused “to cut into little pieces, the Lord’s Gospel.” Although we cannot now reconstruct the content of those early sermons, Zwingli recalled that he preached “without any human addenda and without hesitancy or wavering because of counter arguments”. He not only was preaching from the Bible but also was allowing the Bible to speak directly to him and his congregation. Gradually the great cathedral began to fill with those eager to hear the Word of God. Zwingli confessed surprise at the number who came “hurrying” to his expositions. The proclamation of Holy Scripture was the single most important precipitant of reform in the city of Zurich.
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