Bullinger, Johann Heinrich

(1504–75)

   Theologian.

   Bullinger was born in Bremgarten, Switzerland, the son of the parish priest. He was educated at the University of Cologne where he studied the writings of the early Protestant Reformers. In 1531 he settled in Zürich where he succeeded Ulrich zwingli as Chief Pastor. There he presided over the cantonal synod and did much for educational reform and Church administration. However, he is chiefly remembered for his writings. He was the author of a history of the Reformation and several important refutations of Anabaptist theology. He also was largely responsible for the two Helvetic Confessions of 1536 and 1566. The first was primarily an attempt to reconcile the views of Zwingli with those of Martin luther. Although it was accepted by the Swiss Zwinglian Churches, it was rejected by the Lutherans. The second was a statement of moderate Calvinist theology and was received warmly throughout the Reformed world. Bullinger himself believed that the Christian was in a covenant relationship with God and although he accepted calvin’s theories of predestination, he rejected the discipline of the theocratic state. Instead he supported Thomas erastus for the rights of the State in ecclesiastical matters. He was particularly interested in the affairs of the English Church, offering hospitality to Protestant exiles in the reign of Queen Mary and refuting Pope Pius v’s bull of excommunication against Queen Elizabeth I.

   G.W. Bromiley (ed.), Zwingli and Bullinger (1953);

   D. Keep, Henry Bullinger and the Elizabethan Church (1970).