Introduction to 500 series
As Zwingli was bringing about radical reformation in Zurich,
there was a group of reformers who believed he was not going far or fast enough.
Conrad Grebel had been a student at the Grossmünster. He
then attended the University of Basel, University of Vienna, and University of
Paris, though he never finished a degree. However, much like Zwingli, he was
introduced to the humanist ideas of the day.
Felix Manz’s father was a canon at the Grossmünster. In 1521, he and
Grebel met while both attending studies at the church led by Zwingli. The study group studied Greek, the Latin Bible, the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New
Testament. Zwingli believed strongly in comparing translations of the Bible to original texts to derive true interpretation.
When the city council debated abolishing the Mass and icons
in 1523, the decision was to slowly fade out the practices rather than an
outright rejection. They believed outright banning them would bring violent resistance, but that allowing Zwingli's ideas to flourish would naturally lead to the people rejecting Church practices. For the young radicals, this decision did not go far
enough, nor such the civil city council be making religious decisions. The council was trying to appease the most people possible and avoid violent
outbursts, but the radicals who had up until now followed Zwingli, felt that any
appeasement was not following God. Fifteen men left Zwingli’s study group at that
time and began their own study group.