Reformation

Ever since I was ten years old I have been a student and sort of church mother, much given to attending sermons. I have loved and frequented the company of learned men, and I conversed much with them, not about dancing, masquerades, and worldly pleasures but about the kingdom of God. - Katherina Schutz Zell

Regarded as one of the most outspoken women of the Reformation, Katherina Schutz Zell was born in 1497 in the city of Strasburg. While little is known of her early years, history confirms that she came from a prominent family and therefore received an excellent education. Although the young Katherina always had a strong interest in spiritual matters, it was after reading Luther’s tracts that her feet were put on the solid rock of God’s Word. Whereas she once despaired over her salvation, the moment Reformation doctrine took hold of her heart, she became consumed with sharing the gospel of grace with others.

The city of Strasburg was what is known as a “free city” meaning there was no obligation to enforce the Edict of Worms against Luther and the Reformers. Because of this, Katharina was exposed to a great deal of Reformation influence. In 1518, Matthew Zell, a former Catholic priest turned Lutheran, was called to preach in the Cathedral in Strasburg. Katherina, among others, listened intently as the great Reformer preached the doctrines of our faith. He must have been an impressive preacher since the two were married five years later. Upon learning of Zell’s marriage, the Catholic bishop revoked all of Zell’s privileges and excommunicated him. At the same time vicious rumors of infidelity began to swirl about the Zell’s.  As the criticism began to heighten, the Reformer’s ”helpmeet” would come out strong in her husband’s defense. Katherina called out the immoral behavior of the Catholic clergy and pushed back hard when accused of speaking out of turn.

You remind me that the apostle Paul told women to be silent in church. I would remind you of the word of this same apostle that in Christ there is no longer male nor female [Gal. 3:28] and of the prophecy of Joel [2:28-9]: ‘I will pour forth my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy.’ I do not pretend to be John the Baptist rebuking the Pharisees. I do not claim to be Nathan, upbraiding David. I aspire only to be Balaam’s ass, castigating his master.

Known for her capacity to offend both Catholic and Protestant religious establishments alike, Katherina never pursued her arguments beyond biblical orthodoxy. Yet, it was clear that Matthew Zell had found a worthy ministry partner. Of her own marriage to Matthew, Katherina would say she wanted only to be the helpmeet of her husband, and a “little piece of the rib of the sainted Matthew Zell.”

Much in the spirit of the Luther’s, the Zell household became a parsonage for traveling Reformers, and Protestant refugees.  Katherina, known for her warmth and  hospitality, not only cooked and cleaned for her guests but gladly partook in their theological conversations — so much so, that many Reformers of her day “ranked her above many doctors.” In fact, Katherina was known to maintain correspondence with Luther, Zwingli, and Bullinger, and many other prominent Reformers. As Reformation theology was still in the process of being meted out so-to-speak, the Zell’s were famous for their tolerance. Whereas some felt to divide over certain theological points, the Zell’s were fairly consistent in their belief that separation from Rome was the single criteria. The Zell standard for fellowship, as described by Matthew Zell himself was, “Any one who acknowledges Christ as the true Son of God and sole Savior of mankind is welcome at my board.”

Katherina  had a special heart for the wives of displaced Protestant leaders. She penned many tracts and hymnals to encourage the women who suffered the pain and hardship of separation from their husbands. Once, in a neighboring town called Kensingen a minister was forced to leave. One hundred and fifty men of the parish accompanied him for several miles but when they returned the gates to the town were shut. One minister was caught and executed while the rest fled to Strasburg. Moved with compassion for their plight, Katharina not only provided beds and meals for most of the men, she also published a tract for the wives left behind.

To my fellow sisters in Christ, day and night I pray God that he may increase your faith that you forget not his invincible Word. ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, saith the Lord’ (Isa. 55:8). ‘Whom I make alive I kill’ (Deut. 32:39). The Lord would wean you from the world that you may rely only on him. Has he not told us that we must ‘forsake father and mother, wife and child’? (Luke 14:26). ‘He who denies me him will I deny in the presence of my father,’ (Matt. 10:33). ‘Those who would reign with me must also suffer with me’ (2 Tim. 2:12).

While she clearly had a heart for wives of the Reformers, the bowels of her great mercy extended to all. Katherina was a nurturer by nature and she tended to the needs of widows and orphans, the poor, the sick, and the needy. She also became a strong advocate for those who suffered injustice and were without voice.  It is no wonder that her own husband assigned her the duty of “Church Mother of Strasburg.”  One example of her indiscriminate mercy ministry is found in the account of a certain magistrate who, because of leprosy, had been quarantined. Her consolation, in the form of personal visitations and publications were of great refreshment to this poor soul.

At first you were bitter and utterly cast down till God gave you strength and patience, and now you are able to thank him that out of love he has taught you to bear the cross. Because I know that your illness weighs upon you daily and may easily cause you again to fall into despair and rebelliousness, I have gathered some passages which may make your yoke light in the spirit, though not in the flesh.  

While Katherina Zell is said by some to deserve the title of “Woman Reformer of the Reformed Church” and “Church Mother” this extraordinary woman carried a heart grief that most of her contemporaries would never know. Having suffered the deaths of two infants and no more to follow, Katherina was subject to dark periods of depression and deep sadness.  Though she walked by faith, the thorn in her flesh was her childlessness.  It is said that she was prone to think of her childlessness as God’s punishment on her life. Though this gracious providence caused her great earthly sorrow, it is possible that it was the very thing that God used to keep this precious saint near the cross.

I have learned to kiss the wave that strikes me against the rock that is Christ. – Charles Spurgeon

In 1548 Matthew Zell died leaving a heart-sick Katherina behind.  Immediately afterwards she spent some time in Basel with a young minister and his family but she longed to return home to Strasburg to resume her work. Upon doing so, she continued her mercy ministries but it wouldn’t be long before her own health began to fail. During her last years, many of her letters were written from baths as she suffered greatly from dropsy.  Yet, she continued her labors of love until her strength utterly failed her. Unfortunately, the exact date and location of her death is not known. It is said that, like Moses, Katherina “died of the kiss of God and no man knows the place of her burial.”

Sources:

Roland H. Bainton, “Women of the Reformation in Germany and Italy.” Minneapolis, Fortress Press, 2007.

James I. Good, “Famous Women of the Reformed Church.” Birmingham, Solid Ground Christian Books, 2007.

Ruth Tucker, Walter L. Liefeld, “Daughters of the Church: Women and Ministry from New Testament Times to the Present.” Grand Rapics, Zondervan, 1987.

http://christinalangella.com/2011/11/08/women-of-the-reformation-katherina-schutz-zell-by-christina-langella/

Affectionately referred by her husband as “his dearest housewife” Anna was the beloved wife of Ulrich Zwingli. Shedding much light into the charitable heart of this gentle soul, Anna was also warmly regarded by the people as, “the apostolic Dorcas.”

Born sometime during the year 1487 she matured into a very beautiful woman.  She married John Meyer von Knonau, who came from an aristocratic family, though she did not. When his father found out about their marriage, he disinherited him, leaving John and his family to cast on his own resources. In 1511, John was elected to join the Swiss army where he traveled to Italy to fight against France. After many campaigns, he returned  gravely ill and soon thereafter died, leaving Anna with 3 children: 1 son and 2 daughters.

Suddenly thrust into widowhood, Anna was forced to look after her family on her own. She struggled often to support her family and train her children. But God had not forgotten Anna.  Every time a certain preacher, named Ulrich Zwingli came to preach in her town, she would attend.  She listened attentively to his words as they thundered from the pulpit and it wasn’t long before he became her pastor. A true lover of the Word of God, Anna was always eager to hear the Scriptures as taught by him. At the same time, Anna’s young son Gerold, caught the preachers attention.  Zwingli took an interest in becoming a role model to him and particularly encouraged him to pursue higher education. He gave him private lessons in Latin and Greek and in many ways became like a father to him. When Gerold took leave for another city, Zwingli actually wrote him a book to encourage him in his walk with the Lord. And walk with the Lord, he did. Gerold quickly obtained much favor in his new city and secured a very influential position.

It wasn’t long afterwards that Zwingli and Anna were married.  Right away the young marriage encountered hostility.  Many people accused Zwingli of marrying her because of her beauty — and  now wealth due to her son’s success. But soon after they married, Anna stopped wearing jewelry and her appearance became more simple and modest.  Together the Zwingli’s had 4 children.

Anna had a most charitable heart.  She loved to help others and saw it as something of great priority in her life. She became a helper of the poor and visited the sick as often as she could. Every opportunity, and any little extra that the family had, was given to the poor, or in some way used to benefit the work of the Lord.   Those who knew her well described her as a pious woman. Anna was a wife who could easily be described as being preoccupied with her husbands well-being. She was known to encourage her husband and remind him to take rests when he was working feverishly translating the Bible to her own Swiss tongue.

Zwingli was known to read his wife the Bible every night. Not surprisingly, the Bible was her favorite book and this Reformers wife tried to introduce it to as many people as she could. It was her desire that every family own a copy. She thoroughly enjoyed religious conversations and took every opportunity to learn more about the great truths of her faith and whether it was with her own husband or other Reformers she loved to participate in theological discussions.

Despite the fact that she had very soft and gentle ways about her, it would be a mistake to consider her a weak woman.  This would have had to have been a woman of great faith. Any woman married to a Reformer learned to live with the knowledge that her husband was a marked man. Zwingli, of course, was no exception. Her husband’s life was constantly under threat. She particularly worried for his safety when he was alone.  While she understood the life threatening nature of Reformation work, this concern was never greater than her sincere desire to support him and serve the people of God.  Even as the Zwingli home was vandalized on more than one occasion she continued to open her place to Protestant refugees fleeing religious persecution. In addition, she showed great hospitality and always welcomed the opportunity to entertain Zwingli’s many friends and guests.

On October 1531, Zwingli, was ordered to go with the Swiss army as their chaplain. He knew it was the last time he would see his wife and children. As he was leaving, one can almost hear the sweetness mixed with courage in her voice as she said, “We shall see each other again if the Lord will. His will be done. And what will you bring back when you come?” Zwingli’s answer to his beloved wife, “Blessings after dark night.” And with these last words he left. Anna held onto those words for the rest of her life.

Upon being informed of her  husband’s death, she ran to her bed and cried out loud to the Lord.  Since there was no one else she could run to and find comfort, she prayed all alone: “Father, not my will, but Thine be done.” She knew God was sovereign and because of Christ she had assurance in her soul that she would see her husband again.  Anna carried on her life with a broken heart missing her beloved, and training her children in the ways of the Lord.

On her last days, she became very sick and frail but she endured with great patience her suffering.  Anna never stopped clinging to her husband’s last words.  On December 6, 1538, she went home to be with the Lord where her beloveds promise of “blessings after dark night” was finally realized.

When we look to Anna Zwingli, we see a model Christian and ministers wife.  Her life, far from easy, was marked by many sorrows and anxieties.  Surely this was a woman who could only have been held up and comforted by the truth of the sovereignty of God.  She was a woman of quiet majesty who trusted God above all. Her steadfast support to her husband in the quiet of their home enabled Zwingli to have the immeasurable influence that he had in the Reformation. It came natural to Anna to put her husband’s needs first. Anna was a woman who simply saw others as more important than herself. Anna was her husbands greatest fan and undoubtedly his most beloved student. Her loving commitment to her husband contributed to the success of the Reformation and when we speak of Ulrich Zwingli’s contribution to the church, we must remember the woman named Anna who made it all possible for him to be the blessing that he was.

The wives of the Reformers have left for us examples of God’s design in marriage.  Submissive yes; inactive no. These women had a tremendous impact in the lives of their own husbands. Because of Anna, Ulrich Zwingli was able to translate the Bible and preach the gospel to many people. Anna leads the way for us today as we seek, by God’s grace, to support our husbands that they may serve the Lord in their respective callings. May we not forget the Church’s history and may we remember the women who have gone before us.

About the Author: Norma Tochijara lives with her family in Montreal Quebec.  She and her husband have been married for almost 17 years.  They have 2 sons, and 1 daughter who, a few months ago, went home to be with the Lord.  Norma and her family attend a Reformed Presbyterian Church and  she is in the process of learning and being transformed to be more like Jesus. Norma blogs at Reduce Me to Love.

http://christinalangella.com/2011/11/03/women-of-the-reformation-anna-reinhard-zwingli-by-norma-tochijara/