The Debate: Who Won & Who Lost?

It was intense.

Each held to his own views tenaciously.

There were personal attacks.

There were hidden political agendas.

One side came off as especially stubborn.

It ended in division.

491 years ago tomorrow (October 1, 1529) the main leaders of the Reformation gathered at Marburg Castle in Hesse, Germany to debate the meaning of Christ's presence in the Lord's Supper. Present were Martin Luther, Phillip Melanchthon, Martin Bucer, Johannes Oecolampadius, and Ulrich Zwingli. Luther is famously remembered for writing on the table, hoc est corpus meum, "This is my body." 

This is a lesson from church history. It is sad when the followers of Jesus act like the world and cannot demonstrate love and unity. When that happens everybody loses.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35, ESV)

To learn more about the Colloquy of Marburg, watch this lecture featuring Dr. John Gerstner from Ligonier Ministries.