1 Proposal for MTh Thesis Introduction My interest in the Swiss Reformation was kindled through a recent visit to Zurich. Not much is known about the contributions of Zwingli and Bullinger in Australian circles. I began to read up on Zwingli, but soon discovered that Bullinger‟s works and his influence and contribution were more interesting to me. I discovered that Bullinger wrote a treatise on the covenant, De Testamento sue foedere Dei unico & aeterno, which not even Calvin attempted. Since the theme of the covenant links all of Scripture and is directly related to its Heilsgeschichte, I considered that it would be a worthwhile project to examine how a newly reformed mind studied this biblical theme with the freshness of the dynamics at the dawn of the Reformation and how this was presented to the emerging Reformed church.
Recent debates concerning the New Perspective on Paul have given rise to scholarly review of the contributions of the reformers, particularly of Calvin, Luther and Melanchthon. However, to date, there has been scant reference to the possible contribution of Bullinger to this debate even though he was the author of the Second Helvetic Confession and may well have been the driving force behind the Heidelberg Confession. Furthermore, Burrows argues that a characteristic feature of Bullinger‟s thought is “the manner in which he speaks of sanctification in essential identity with justification, as two aspects of Christ‟s one saving act”1. Whether or not Burrows accurately represents Bullinger needs to be carefully studied.
Since it was likely that I would go to Zurich again, I considered that a thesis on Bullinger would give me the stimulus to research original documents in Zurich as well as consult Zwingli and Bullinger scholars there.
1
Mark S. Burrows, “ „Christus intra nos Vivens‟ The Peculiar Genius of Bullinger‟s Doctrine of Sanctification”, Zeitschschrift für Kirchengeschichte, 98 (no.1), `987, pp48-69, p48
2 2. The aim of the thesis
Compilations of articles on Bullinger research were gathered on the quatercentenary of his death (1975) and the quincentenary of his birth (2004). Since then there has been steady growth in Bullinger studies.
With respect to the theme of the covenant, Baker wrote a ground breaking book in 1980 with the title Heinrich Bullinger and the Covenant: The Other Reformed Tradition2. He was essentially representing a view previously espoused by Trinterud3. Together with McCoy, in a subsequent book4, Baker popularized the view that Bullinger was “the fountainhead of federalism”. This proposed thesis seeks to critically evaluate this understanding of Bullinger and the covenant. At the same time, I will also seek to examine Bullinger‟s particular contribution to the Reformed understanding of the covenant and the emphasis on the covenant in his thought. Hence title of this proposed thesis is “Bullinger and the Covenant: New Insights”, as it will be argued that Bullinger brings insights concerning the covenant not raised by other reformers of his time. Following in the footsteps of Trinterud, Baker‟s view is that Bullinger developed the idea of the covenant as a bilateral pact rather than the unilateral testament of Calvin. It is on this basis that Baker refers to the “Other Reformed Tradition”. Furthermore, Baker argues that the theme of the covenant is the central theme in all of Bullinger‟s works5. However,
2
J. Wayne Baker, Heinrich Bullinger and the Covenant: The Other Reformed Tradition (Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press, 1980) 3 Leonard J. Trinterud, “The Origins of Puritanism”, Church History, vol 20 (1951), pp37-57 4 Charles S. McCoy and J. Wayne Baker, Fountainhead of Federalism: Heinrich Bullinger and the Covenant Tradition (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1991) 5 J. Wayne Baker, “Heinrich Bullinger, the Covenant, and the Reformed Tradition in Retrospect”, Sixteenth Century Journal, vol 29 (no2, 1998), pp359-376
3 Baker‟s widely accepted view has been critically evaluated by Dowey6, Bierma7 and Lillback8. This thesis will interact with and assess Baker‟s view. The main aim of this thesis will be to examine Bullinger‟s understanding of the covenant particularly in De Testamento as well as in The Decades. I also intend to study the theme of the covenant in Compendium christianae religionis (1556) in addition to Die Widertöufferen Ursprung (1560) as this latter work was written to combat the influence of the Anabaptists soon after The Decades (1549-51) and was, thus, concurrent with some of the sessions of the Council of Trent. Apart from Baker‟s works, no other detailed study of the covenant in Bullinger has appeared in recent years. Baker‟s last published work on this theme (1998) was in response to the criticisms of his position by Muller, Dowey and Archilla9. In the past thirty years resurgence in Bullinger studies associated with the quatercentenary of his death10 and the subsequent quincentenary celebration of his birth11 has produced some works that consider the covenant in Bullinger12.
One of the critical areas to consider in the proposed thesis will be attention given to the use of the terms foedus, pactum and testamentum. The use of these terms by Bullinger will be compared and contrasted with their use by his contemporaries (particularly Luther, Zwingli and Calvin), the lexica of the era and the emerging Latin translations of the Bible. What is paramount, however, is what Bullinger himself meant by the use of
6
Edward A. Dowey, “Heinrich Bullinger as Theologian: Thematic, Comprehensive, and Schematic” in Bruce Gordon and Emidio Campi (eds.), Architect of Reformation: An Introduction to Heinrich Bullinger 1504-1575 (Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation Thought), (Baker, 2004) 7 Lyle D. Bierma, “Federal Theology in the Sixteenth Century: Two Traditions?” Westminster Theological Journal 45 (1983), pp304-321 8 Peter A. Lillback, The Binding of God: Calvin’s Role in the Development of Covenant Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001) 9 Aurelio A. Garcia Archilla, The Theology of History and Apologetic Historiography in Heinrich Bullinger: Truth in History, (San Francisco: Mellen Research University Press, 1992) 10 Ulrich Gäbler and Erland Herkenrath (Eds), Heinrich Bullinger 1504-1575: Gesammelte Aufsätze zum 400.Todestag, 2 vols. (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich,1975) 11 Emidio Campi and Peter Opitz (eds.), Heinrich Bullinger: Life, Thought, Influence, (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich, 2007). 12 Willem van‟t Spijker ,“Bullinger as Bundestheologe” in Emidio Campi and Peter Opitz (eds.), Heinrich Bullinger: Life, Thought, Influence, (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich, 2007), pp 573-592.
4 these terms and how he understood these terms could be used to express the message of Scripture. Although some work has been done on the covenant in De Testamento13, this was not an in-depth analysis. To date, no detailed work has been done on the theme of the covenant in The Decades. One aim of this project is to make a start on such a study in view of the fact that a critical edition of the Latin version of The Decades is due to be published in the first part of 200814.
Focus of the thesis
The proposed thesis will seek to focus on the following two general questions:
1. What was the contribution of Bullinger in understanding the concept of the covenant in Scripture? 2. What was Bullinger‟s role in the development of the understanding of the covenant?
In seeking to interact with the discussion in the literature, consideration will be given to the following questions: 1. What was Bullinger‟s understanding of the covenant vis-à-vis a bilateral pact and vis-à-vis his understanding of predestination? 2. Was the covenant the central emphasis in the writings of Bullinger? One key focus of the proposed thesis is to consider Bullinger‟s understanding of the covenant through detailed study of De Testamento, The Decades, Compendium
13
Aurelio A. Garcia, “Bullinger‟s De Testamento: The Amply Biblical Basis of Reformed Origins” in Life, Thought, Influence (pp671-692). This is the same author as Aurelio A. Garcia Archilla cited above. 14 Peter Opitz (Ed.), Sermonum Decades quinque, de potissimus Christianae religionis capitibus (15491552), 2 volumes, (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich, 2008)
5 christianae religionis and Die Widertöufferen Ursprung. Since Baker‟s view is dependent on his understanding of how Bullinger viewed predestination vis-à-vis Calvin, a secondary focus will be to consider Bullinger‟s understanding of predestination.
Within the limitations of the works of Bullinger that can be studied for this proposed thesis, an evaluation will be made as to the importance of the theme of the covenant in Bullinger‟s thought.
A further focus of this thesis will seek to review and assess the standard view that Bullinger followed Zwingli‟s understanding of the covenant and developed it. Recent study into the correspondence of Bullinger indicates that Bullinger may well have developed his idea of the covenant independently of Zwingli. A review will be made of the relevant correspondence of Bullinger written in his earlier years.
It is also apparent that Bullinger used the language and expressions of his day to set forth a Reformed understanding of the message of Scripture and how the people of God should live in the context of binding themselves to God. His Reformed doctrine was forged from and arises from praxis pietas. Close scrutiny of Bullinger‟s writings will reveal to what extent he was interacting with the deliberations of the Council of Trent. Bullinger did not write in a vacuum. Not only did he write to strengthen and encourage those who took the step to embrace a Reformed faith, he also wrote to convince both Anabaptist and Roman. In this connection, Burrows observes that “Bullinger steered the course of Zürich reform between what he considered to be the Scylla and Charybdis of Roman and Anabaptist formulations”15. Study of Bullinger will afford a clearer picture of the dynamics faced by German speaking churches in the Sixteenth Century.
This proposed thesis will require some proficiency in Latin and German. Although some of Bullinger‟s works were originally written in Sixteenth Century Swiss German, these have been translated into standard German.
15
Mark S. Burrows, Christus intra nos Vivens, p50
6 Two main sources of Bullinger‟s documents may be accessed at Zürich. The first source is the resources of the Institute for Swiss Reformation History16 which is linked to the University of Zürich. The vast correspondence of Bullinger is being systematically documented which will aid study into the early years of Bullinger‟s contribution17. The second major source is the Rare Book Department of the Central Library in Zürich18. I have made official contact with both and will have the opportunity to visit both of these important institutions in Zürich in June 2008.
When in Zürich I hope to be able to interview both Emidio Campi (Director of the Institute for Swiss Reformation History) and Peter Opitz (Deputy Director of the Institute for Swiss Reformation History). Both are experts in Bullinger studies. Opitz has published a major work on the theology of Bullinger‟s Decades19 and his critical edition of the Latin version of the The Decades is due to be published in the first part of 200820.
If time and opportunity permit, I also would like to interview Hans Ulrich Bächtold (also of the Institute for Swiss Reformation History) and Urs Leu21 (of the Central Library in Zürich) with whom I have been in email correspondence. I have also been in email correspondence with Reformation scholars who have expertise in Bullinger studies to bounce around some ideas with them. In this connection, I have been in contact with Bruce Gordon (St Andrews), Peter Opitz (Zürich), Peter Lillback (Westminster), Lyle Bierma (Calvin), van‟t Spijker (Apeldoorn) and George Ella22. Research for this proposed thesis will enable me to follow up some of the ideas and leads suggested by these scholars.
16
http://www.irg.uzh.ch/index.html The link to the library facilities may be found at http://www.irg.uzh.ch/bib-irg.html 17 http://www.irg.uzh.ch/hbbw.html 18 http://www.zb.uzh.ch/ 19 Peter Opitz, Heinrich Bullinger als Theologe: eine Studie zu den (Zürich: Theologisher Verlag Zürich, 2004) 20 Peter Opitz (Ed.), Sermonum Decades quinque, de potissimus Christianae religionis capitibus (15491552), 2 volumes, (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich, 2008) 21 Urs Leu has written “Die Zürcher Täuffer zur Bullingerzeit”, in Emido Campi and Peter Opitz (eds.), Heinrich Bullinger: Life, Thought, Influence, (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich, 2007), pp251-270 22 George M. Ella, Henry Bullinger: Shepherd of the Churches (Durham: Go Publications, 2007)
7 Methodology
The research that I plan to do is one where research questions will be best answered by a flexible rather than by a fixed research design/strategy23. The study will, therefore, be one of a qualitative nature rather than one of a quantitative nature and will exhibit features of both Grounded theory and Case study.
In researching the contribution of Bullinger in understanding the covenant in Scripture I will seek to do this through means of case study, viz developing an in-depth analysis of a single case or multiple cases. What I plan to do for the thesis is to make an in-depth documentary analysis on the theme of the covenant in De Testamento, The Decades, Compendium christianae religionis and Die Widertöufferen Ursprung. This will enable me to make some conclusions about whether Bullinger‟s understanding of covenant was that of a bilateral pact or that of a unilateral testament. At the same time, I plan to view his understanding of predestination with his understanding of the covenant.
Evaluating the thesis that the covenant was the central emphasis in the writings of Bullinger will be done by assessing such a grounded theory by surveying as much of his writings as possible with the limits available. In examining Bullinger‟s role in the development of the understanding of the covenant, consideration will be given to the writings of other reformers. This will require application of a flexible research design/strategy which will include: Question asking, Good listening (for understanding Bullinger this requires sensitivity to what he says visà-vis his predecessor Zwingli) and paying attention to Adaptiveness and flexibility, Grasp of the issues and Lack of bias. Preliminary reading in the area may indicate that Bullinger guided Zwingli concerning the covenant rather than followed him24. But this is yet to be thoroughly examined.
23 24
Terms in italics are taken from C. Robson, Real World Research, 2nd Ed., (Oxford: Blackwell, 2002) See, for example, George M. Ella, Henry Bullinger: Shepherd of the Churches (Durham: Go Publications, 2007)
8 Although there is a growing body of secondary literature that comments on and analyses the thought and work of Bullinger, the primary aim of this research to access the original documents of Bullinger and study them. This will be an integral focus of this proposed thesis. Access to these documents is referred to above.
Timetable and Draft Chapter Outline
As I will be doing this thesis on a part-time basis the following is a suggested timetable.
Semester 2 2008
I will be spending two months in Zürich gathering material. I hope to make a start on the Introduction which will also survey the present situation with respect to Bullinger studies. Consideration will be given to the antecedents and influences on Bullinger, especially Erasmus, Luther, Melanchthon, Zwingli and the Church Fathers.
Semester 1 2009
I will be working on the theme of the covenant in De Testamento as the first major chapter.
Semester 2 2009
I will be working on the theme of the covenant in The Decades which will be written up as the second major chapter.
Semester 1 2010
I will be working on the theme of the covenant in Compendium christianae religionis which will be written up as the third major chapter.
Semester 2 2010
I will be working on the theme of the covenant in Die Widertöufferen Ursprung which will be written up as the fourth major chapter.
Semester 1 2011
I will be working on the fifth major chapter which will consider Bullinger‟s understanding of predestination and its relationship to
9 the covenant. I will also seek to compare and contrast Bullinger with Calvin vis-à-vis their understanding of the covenant. This will be written up as the fifth major chapter
Semester 2 2011
I will be working on the sixth major chapter which will consider the significance of Bullinger‟s understanding of the covenant for current debates, especially the New Perspective on Paul.
Semester 1 2012
This semester will be used to review each chapter, write a conclusion as well as to check the bibliography is up to date.
Respective Bibliography and Other Resources Bullinger’s Works The Decades of Henry Bullinger (2 volumes), Thomas Harding (ed. – reedited by George Ella and Joel R. Beeke), (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2004) (have my own copy of this) A Brief Exposition of the One and Eternal Testament or Covenant of God, in Charles S. McCoy and J. Wayne Baker, Fountainhead of Federalism: Heinrich Bullinger and the Covenant Tradition (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1991), pp99-138 (* have my own copy of this) Secondary Literature Archilla, Aurelio A. Garcia, The Theology of History and Apologetic Historiography in Heinrich Bullinger: Truth in History, (San Francisco: Mellen Research University Press, 1992) (* have my own copy of this) Baker, J. Wayne, Heinrich Bullinger and the Covenant: The Other Reformed Tradition (Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press, 1980) (* available in the library) Baker, J. Wayne, “Heinrich Bullinger, the Covenant, and the Reformed Tradition in Retrospect”, Sixteenth Century Journal, vol 29 (no2, 1998), pp359-376 (* have my own copy of this)
10 Bierma, Lyle D., “Federal Theology in the Sixteenth Century: Two Traditions?” Westminster Theological Journal 45 (1983) (* have my own copy of this) Burrows, Mark, S., “„Christos intra nos Vivens‟ The Peculiar Genius of Bullinger‟s Doctrine of Sanctification”, Zeitschrift für Kirchengeschichte, 98, (no1,1987), pp48-69 (* have my own copy of this) Campi, Emidio and Opitz, Peter (eds), Heinrich Bullinger: Life, Thought, Influence, (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag Zürich, 2007).(* have my own copy of this) Cottrell, Jack Warren, Covenant and Baptism in the Theology of Huldreich Zwingli, (ThD Dissertation, Princeton 1971) (* have my own copy of this) Ella, George M., Henry Bullinger: Shepherd of the Churches (Durham: Go Publications, 2007) (* have my own copy of this) Gordon, Bruce and Campi, Emidio (eds.), Architect of Reformation: An Introduction to Heinrich Bullinger 1504-1575 (Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation Thought), (Baker, 2004) (* have my own copy of this) Lillback, Peter A, The Binding of God: Calvin’s Role in the Development of Covenant Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001) (* have my own copy of this) McCoy, Charles S. and Baker, J. Wayne, Fountainhead of Federalism: Heinrich Bullinger and the Covenant Tradition (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1991) (* have my own copy of this) Opitz, Peter, Heinrich Bullinger als Theologe: eine Studie zu den (Zürich: Theologisher Verlag Zürich, 2004) (have my own copy of this) Strehle, Stephen, Calvinism, Federalism, and Scholasticism: A Study of the Reformed Doctrine of Covenant, (Basler und Berner Studien zur historischen und systematischen Theologie; vol 58 - Bern: Verlag Peter Lang AG, 1988) (* available in the library)