thumb|Latin & German [[manuscript, Confessio Helvetica Prior]]

The Helvetic Confessions are two documents expressing the common belief of Reformed churches, especially in Switzerland, whose primary author was the Swiss Reformed theologian Heinrich Bullinger. The First Helvetic Confession (1536) contributed to the confessional unity of the Protestant cantons of Switzerland against the Roman Catholic cantons, whereas the Second Helvetic Confession (1566) contributed to the confessional unity of Reformed churches across Europe, particularly due to the patronage it received from Frederick III, Elector Palatine, who had it translated into German. The first draft was written in Latin and the Zurich delegates objected to its Lutheran phraseology. However, Leo Jud's German translation was accepted by all, and after Myconius and Grynaeus had modified the Latin form, both versions were agreed to and adopted on February 26, 1536. Bucer and Capito brought the Confession to Martin Luther as a symbol of Reformed-Lutheran unity, but he ultimately rejected it.

The first five articles affirm the Protestant doctrine of sola scriptura, viewing Holy Scripture as its own interpreter, containing all that is necessary to know for salvation (sufficiency) and supremely authoritative over all other human writings. Article VI treats of the Trinity of persons in one divine essence. Articles VII-X discuss God's creation of man in his image; the most noble of creatures, which fell into sin by the original sin of Adam, and God's eternal plan of salvation for fallen man. It gained a favorable hold on the Swiss churches, who had found the First Confession too short and too Lutheran.

Mariology

Mary is mentioned several times in the Second Helvetic Confession, which expounds Bullinger's mariology. Chapter 3 quotes the angel's message to the Virgin Mary, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee (), as an indication of the existence of the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. The Latin text described Mary as diva, indicating her rank as a person, who dedicated herself to God. In Chapter 9, the Jesus Christ is said to be conceived by the Holy Spirit and born without the participation of any man. The Second Helvetic Confession accepted the 'Ever Virgin' notion from John Calvin, which spread throughout much of Europe with the approbation of this document in the above-mentioned countries. Bullinger's 1539 polemical treatise against idolatry expressed his belief that Mary's 'sacrosanctum corpus' ('sacrosanct body') had been assumed into heaven by angels:<blockquote>For this reason we believe that the Virgin Mary, Begetter of God, the most pure bed and temple of the Holy Spirit, that is, her most holy body, was carried to heaven by angels.</blockquote>

See also

  • Reformation in Switzerland
  • Helvetic Consensus
  • Confession of Basel
  • Consensus Tigurinus

References

  • The First Helvetic Confession in English Translation
  • The Second Helvetic Confession in English Translation
  • Text of the creeds from Schaff's Creeds of Christendom (vol. 3) at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library:
  • The First Helvetic Confession (in its original Latin and High German translation)
  • The Second Helvetic Confession (in its original Latin)
  • History of the creeds from Schaff's Creeds of Christendom (vol. 1) at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library:
  • "The First Helvetic Confession"
  • "The Second Helvetic Confession"