Verduin Misquoted ZwingliHuldreich Zwingli is a key subject of Rev. Leonard Verduin's The Anatomy of a Hybrid. Verduin documents his claim that the Reformer did not really believe infant baptism was scriptural. This is very significant as Zwingli's teaching forms the foundation of infant baptism in all the Reformed and Presbyterian churches. If Zwingli himself did not believe in it, doesn't this severely erode the very foundation of the practice? |
|
The key quote which is attributed to Zwingli is: "Nothing grieves me more than that I am at present obliged to baptize children, for I know it ought not to be done," he added in the same breath: "However, if I terminate it I fear for my prebend.” p. 172 This is also found in Rev. Verduin's book, Reformers and their Stepchildren. |
|
Upon examining the original source Rev. Verduin was quoting it was discovered that an (honest) error was made. This statement was actually made by pastor Ulrich Zingg of Duernten, not Zwingli. The original source is Leonhard Von Muralt and Walter Schmid's, Quellen zur Geschichte der Taeufer in der Schweiz, Vol. 1, p. 184. I was able to visit Rev. Verduin with the original volume so we could review it. He acknowledged the error. However, the book was already published and continues in circulation. If you have further insights into this, please contact me. All further insights into this will be posted here. The original term paper is posted below for anyone who is interested. The validity of the claim that an error was made can be validated by checking the original source. The quotes in these two books by Rev. Verduin can have important ramifications for Zwingli and the practice of infant baptism; having them corrected is important in getting at the truth.
Verduin on Zwingli Paper: |
|
|