This is a summary of week 1 of our Sunday school class on American Presbyterian history Audio from this class can be found here.
In last weeks class we focused on the 15th century reformation beginning when Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the church door in Wittenberg. We talked about Ulrich Zwingly’s work and the effort to unite Lutheran and 
Reformed teaching. Of course this failed due to Zwingly and Luther’s differences on the Lord’s Supper. We briefly mentioned the other major Protestant movements on the European continent with the antibaptists, including the Mennonites and others. Finally, we discussed the anglican church which features its own unique brand of protestant Christianity.
Soon after the reformation got started, we see that John Calvin is asked to serve in Geneva to help the new protestant city. Calvin is initially hesitant but after being banished from Geneva and returning a second time he settles in for the remainder of his life and begins to document the historic reformed doctrines of theology and ecclesiology. His work become the foundation for both the European reformed churches and the Presbyterian church in England, Scotland, Ireland and ultimately America.
Next week we will fast forward through the 16th century to learn about the early American settlers and their new church.
And remember, all audio for this class can be found here.
