December 9. Heinrich Bullinger. Heinrich was such a bright child, he was sent to learn Latin two years earlier than normal, and he learned it. When he was twelve, his father—who was a priest—sent Heinrich off to school and promised his room and clothing would be provided, but the boy must learn to understand the poor—so he would have to beg for his food.
For three years, young teen Heinrich literally sang for his supper. He earned his bachelor’s degree when he was sixteen and went on to minister the Word of God to all the people, including the poor.
It is said that he produced more sound Christian writing than Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli all together. Multiple editions of his writing were printed every year in Switzerland alone, and that went on for a hundred years. At the same time, more than fifty printers across Europe turned out many editions.
From the 1530s on, reformers like Miles Coverdale translated Heinrich’s writing into English. On this date in 1531, when he was only 27 years old, Heinrich was appointed Chief Minister of Zurich. Here’s his story.
When responsibility demands a decision, stand for truth.
Quill in hand, Heinrich Bullinger paused. He was determined to block out the chatter ringing throughout his home. He had to concentrate to answer the Scotsman well. Somewhere in the house, a child shrieked with joy. And Heinrich chuckled, thankful God had enabled him and his dear Anna, a former nun, to provide comfort for the exiles pouring into Zurich.
Nicknames could be coarse, but the Queen of England’s moniker, “Bloody Mary,” fit. Determined to return England to Catholicism, she had no qualms about hunting down Protestants and executing them. So now Heinrich’s house teemed with guests—as it had so often before.
A dot of ink smudged the paper. Heinrich sighed. He would answer the Scotsman today. The man sought advice as he navigated the dangerous political climate of his homeland. Heinrich had answered as carefully as he could. Now he stared at the last question: To which party must godly persons attach themselves, in the case of religious Nobility resisting an idolatrous Sovereign?
Heinrich dropped his pen into the inkstand. Leaned back in his chair. As he flashed back to his own exile, he closed his eyes. Years ago, he, too, had arrived in Zurich as a refugee.
He would never forget the confusion in the eyes of their two small children as they had fled the only home they had known.
Fighting within and without. Catholics fought against Protestants—and the Reformers fought among themselves. Heinrich knew that if the Reformation was to survive, it was imperative to follow the Holy Scriptures. Only God’s Word cut through the conflict to the heart of the matter.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV).
Perhaps that’s why, twenty-three years before, the Lord had given him Zwingli’s powerful pulpit in Zurich. Heinrich released a humorless chuckle. At twenty-seven, he had been young to assume the position of Head Minister, but with God’s help he had spent his years doing his best to win battles with words, not swords. He wrote from God’s Word even as he worked tirelessly to promote unity among the Reformers.
“Writing another letter?”
At his wife’s sweet voice, Heinrich startled.
“You’ve penned thousands,” she said.
Heinrich shrugged. The letters were important. Maybe as important as the sermons and the books. The letters built bridges, not walls—when possible. It wasn’t easy to stand for truth even as he fought for the bond of peace. But people were more willing to consider the truth when they knew he cared about them personally.
She planted a light kiss upon his forehead. “The meal will soon be served.”
Heinrich nodded. He was almost finished.
But how to close?
In perilous times it was paramount that each man stand, pure in heart, and seek God’s wisdom. When responsibility demanded a decision, he stood for truth.
Heinrich grabbed the quill and dipped it into the ink. “Become reconciled to God by a true repentance, and implore His counsel and assistance,” he wrote. “He is the only and the true deliverer. … Let us lift up our eyes to Him.”
Where can you stand, define, and declare truth? When responsibility demands a decision, stand for truth.
Heinrich Bullinger. An Answer Given To A Certain Scotsman, In Reply To Some Questions Concerning The Kingdom Of Scotland And England. Zurich, 1554. https://web.archive.org/web/20050828155124/ http://fly.hiwaay.net/~pspoole/bulling.htm.
Houdry, Phillippe, & Gilles. The Battle Of Kappel In 1531. France, 1999. http://philippe.houdry.free.fr/Eprints/BatailleKappel1531_ENG.pdf.
Story read by Peter R Warren, https://www.peterwarrenministries.com/
Do You Want to Learn More About this Man?
Note: It is not known with certainty whether Bullinger penned this particular letter from his home or church office in Zurich. The correspondence did take place while the Bullingers sheltered those fleeing Queen Mary’s “reign of terror.” Bullinger’s correspondence includes at least 12,000 letters.
You can find more information at: Kapic, Kelly M. and Wesley Vander Lugt. Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 2013. https://www.ligonier.org/blog/covenant-theologian-heinrich-bullinger/.