Imagine yourself in Zurich, Switzerland during the Reformation. The Reformation has already produced giants such as Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and John Knox. Adding to this list come men from Switzerland including John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and Henry Bullinger. As you wander through the beautiful streets of this central European city you will encounter much sympathy towards the ongoing reformation against the Roman Catholic church. You walk down the river Limmat, flowing out from Lake Zurich. Its beautiful blue tint is captivating, but even more captivating is the gorgeous building which housed a faithful church congregation. Walking inside the building, you see the marvelous stature of a man ascending to the pulpit and discover that he is no less than the Reformer, Henry Bullinger.
This picture nicely paints the scene for how it feels to read Bullinger’s The Decades, recently republished in two beautiful volumes by Reformation Heritage Books. When I read through the Decades I could vividly picture the presentation of each sermon as Bullinger proclaimed them from his pulpit in Zurich. The backdrop of reformation Zurich provides a stunning and breathtaking insight into how it must have felt to be present as Bullinger proclaimed God’s Word every week.
The two volumes (comprising over one thousand pages each) contain fifty sermons that were preached during Bullinger’s time at Zurich. All fifty of the sermons come together to form a well-rounded, systematic treatment of theology, and a fair overview of reformational thought.
The First Decade
Starting with the Doctrine of the Word of God, Bullinger, from the very beginning, shows his vast wealth of theological studies. The very first sermon contains much information regarding the teaching of the early church fathers on the doctrine of Scripture. Now referred to as the formal principle of the Reformation, the doctrine of Scripture was an extremely important part of reformational teaching. Starting with this doctrine was, for Bullinger, a necessity, and he devotes a great deal of his expertise to it.
Following his discussions on the Doctrine of Scripture, Bullinger takes up the subject of faith. After the Doctrine of Scripture (i.e. Sola Scriptura), the subject of faith (i.e. Sola Fide) is also an essential doctrine of the Reformation. Bullinger delivered three insightful sermons in which he unpacks the material principle of the Reformation, the doctrine of justification by faith.
Though set originally in the context of sixteenth century Europe, these sermons on Scripture and justification are very relevant to our own context. Not only has the truthfulness and authority of Scripture been called into question often over the last couple of centuries, but so too has the doctrine of justification. And not only by more liberal scholarship. Various objections have been raised within the ranks of conservative Protestant circles as well. This is where Bullinger’s work may prove so helpful.
The next discussion consists of three lengthy sermons on the Apostles Creed and a final sermon on love. These final four sermons close the first Decade and the reader is left in wonder over the joy of Reformational Theology. The final sermon on love of God and neighbor is important for us to note. The Reformation was not a movement of angry monks and rebellious priests. As Bullinger shows, it was a movement of love for God and for seeing His truth lovingly change people’s lives. Such an attitude is clearly seen in Bullinger’s own words: “But it is not enough, my brethren, to understand how we ought to love our neighbour (though we ought often to repeat it), but rather we must love him exceedingly, and above that” (191).
Second and Third Decades
Having laid a foundation on two essential doctrines, Bullinger next examines the law in his second decade. One is hard pressed to find a more detailed exposition of the ten commandments and the law of God than what can be seen in this second decade. He leaves no stone unturned in the discussion out as he moves through the ten commandments part by part.
In fact, the decades are so in depth that the second decade is not even enough to contain everything that Bullinger has to say about the ten commandments. Flowing into the third decade, Bullinger finishes the final three commandments (in four sermons) before offering four more sermons on the general subject of law, and another two on the related topics of Christian liberty and sin, which closes the third decade.
It is important to note the importance that Bullinger and the other Reformers placed on the law of God. The Bible is clear that, while the law does not save us from sin, we are still to uphold its precepts (Rom. 3:31). At a time when various kinds of antinomian teachings are running through evangelicalism and general theological ignorance is high and increasing, many who call themselves Christians simply assume that the law is no longer relevant to Christians. The Reformers would be shocked at such an attitude and the proof is seen in Bullinger’s treatment of the law.
Fourth Decade
Next, and following the narrative of redemptive history, Bullinger examines the Gospel, the Doctrine of God, the Son of God, and Pneumatology in his penultimate decade. Here, the reader is treated to a feast. The linchpin of the subjects in the fourth decade is the doctrine of God. The first two decades concentrate on the Gospel and repentance (which are important follow ups to the conclusion of the third decade which was about sin). This then launches the reader into six sermons about God and His work in a Trinitarian perspective. Once again, classical Reformation Theology proves instructive for our own day. As Christian Smith famously observed, many self-professed Christians have no higher thoughts of God than as a law giver or a wholeness coach. Others functionally treat God as some kind of divine gift giver who exists to satisfy what I think are my requirements for happiness. These meditations on God and his gospel from Bullinger raise the mind to the God who really is there, and to the work he really has done for us.
Fifth Decade
In the fifth and final decade Bullinger expounds on the subject of the Church, the people of God. The Church, Bullinger maintained, has no authority above or equal to the Scriptures. It is God’s precious gift to His Son. Showing the universality of the Church, Bullinger wrote: “The church is the whole company and multitude of the faithful, partly being now in heaven, and partly remaining yet here upon earth; where it doth agree plainly in unity of faith or true doctrine.” We can easily imagine the anticipation as Bullinger’s flock learned about all the subjects above considered and then began to see how they, as the Church of Christ, fit into God’s plan of redemption.
The discussion of the Church naturally flows into a lengthy discussion of the Sacraments. Bullinger dedicates two sermons to a general overview of the sacraments, before providing a sermon each on baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Closing the decades is a sermon on the institutions of the church, meaning the works and running of the Church. Much insight may be gleaned by the reader of these sermons. Readers, returning to the past through Bullinger’s preaching, will find a bountiful exposition of the teachings of our Christian heritage, the faith once for all delivered to us.
Robert D. Norman is the author of several books, including Joseph: God Meant It for Good and Green Leaves on Psalm 1. Robert serves in the city of Iasi, Romania as a missionary, working in preaching and evangelism.
