Jeremiah And Zwingli Analysis

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Social criticisms are the starting points of many waves of reformation and societal changes. From the early Jewish prophets to the reformers of the Protestant Reformation, disruption to tradition has often resulted from a pronounced criticism that opened the floor to new dialogue. Jeremiah and Zwingli are two individuals who began the conversations that drove reformation. While centuries apart, Jeremiah's and Zwingli's messages have striking similarities in their condemning of the religious community's insincere practices; however, they differ in their respective societal position, means of staking their claims, and intended audiences that ultimately distinguishes a prophet from a reformer.

Appointed by God to be a prophet, Jeremiah proclaimed …show more content…

Jeremiah is interested in convincing the people to initiate change and to correct their wrongs in a bottom-up route. Zwingli, however, challenges the Church and the elite to spark reforms in from the top-down. The audience of their criticism is telling of not only who Jeremiah and Zwingli thinks can propel change but also the individuals and groups the critics feels closest to. This translates to the nature of Jeremiah and Zwingli's "antagonistic connection." Jeremiah is deeply connected to the people, despite his disconnect to them due to persecution and overall dislike. However, it is only with genuine care for the wellbeing of the people that Jeremiah is willing to voice warnings from God; after all, if he had not cared, it would not be rational to involve himself in their affairs. On the other hand, Zwingli's thoughts were heavily supported by the people but were directed towards the betterment of the Church. Zwingli's alienation is better described as a mental state that distance him away from the Catholic Church to allow him to criticize its practice. While Zwingli's motivations for his criticism is more multifaceted (e.g., inspiration from Luther, devotion to the Word of God), he echoes Jeremiah in launching an argument against something he cares immensely about: the Church. In a grander scale, Jeremiah and Zwingli have the same goal but appear be