Zwingli the Pastor: A Life in Conflict

Stephen Brett Eccher

Reviewed by: Harrison Perkins

Zwingli the Pastor: A Life in Conflict, by Stephen Brett Eccher. Lexham, 2024. Paperback, 228 pages, $23.99. Reviewed by OP pastor Harrison Perkins.

Huldrich Zwingli (1484–1531), who served as a first-generation Reformer in Zurich, is likely most famous for instances of violence associated with his ministry. That connection is almost unavoidable since he died on the battlefield, wielding an axe. Beyond that most known trivia, the next most familiar aspect of Zwingli’s ministry was his opposition to rising Anabaptist presence in Zurich, which resulted in the executions of many Anabaptist adherents. With such ferocity at play, was Zwingli just a firebrand out for a fight? Or was there something more and something deeper to Zwingli?

Stephen Brett Eccher’s new volume about Zwingli unearths a wealth of information regarding the Swiss Reformer’s theological growth, biblical concerns, and pastoral care. Although it incorporates biographical research alongside investigation of historical theology, this book’s main focus is on Zwingli’s pastoral identity and his emphasis to bring the church to greater reform. In this respect, this work makes an amazing contribution to the literature on Zwingli, highlighting new aspects of Zwingli’s ministry for understanding him in a more full-orbed way.

One great strength of this book is that it clearly grounds its explorations of Zwingli’s theological development in his real historical context. He was a man facing great challenges in his culture, in his own pastorate, in the context of the burgeoning Reformation movement, and in his own personal life. Despite an easy caricature of Zwingli as dull but aggressive, given his links to the already mentioned violence, Eccher manages to show us a portrait of a thoughtful pastor trying to navigate his way through difficult situations.

The main weakness in this work is Eccher’s approach to his conclusion. In his closing reflections, he switches from a focus on historical investigation to application for today. That move itself is not problematic in a book meant to benefit the church. However, Eccher aims his conclusion primarily at critiquing Zwingli and the things about Zwingli’s ministry that he does not appreciate. Since Eccher is a Baptist theologian, he stresses a number of issues in which he faults Zwingli for not preemptively agreeing with modern Baptistic approaches to ministry and social engagement. Although I sympathize with several of Eccher’s points, especially concerning the modern aversion to having the magistrate execute those whose theology falls outside our denominational lines, I am not sure that his conclusion is the most effective way to end this otherwise very fine book. I would much rather see some reflection on what could be gained positively from the rich explorations of Zwingli’s life and ministry.

The fittingness of such a preferred conclusion is highlighted by the book’s emphasis on Zwingli as a pastor. This provides an incredibly helpful window on Zwingli’s contribution to the Reformation. Even in areas where I would personally disagree with Zwingli’s doctrinal positions, Eccher shows how he was always working to implement his theology to benefit the church. Although we might assess some of Zwingli’s views and ministerial decisions as ultimately mistaken, this book helps us to see how he tried to implement pastoral wisdom at every turn. That picture of Zwingli as a thoughtful shepherd, striving to make careful moves forward for the sake of reform, fills this book with rich historical insight and provides deep fodder for pastoral reflection. This work is worth not only reading but rereading.