One of the most memorable experiences that came out of my graduate work was my relationship with Dr. J. Kelley Sowards of Wichita State University. He was one of the most respected and accomplished Erasmian scholars in the academic world; thus, the reason for my choosing Erasmus as the subject of both my master’s s thesis and doctoral dissertation. However, what I learned from this remarkable teacher exceeded Erasmian topics; he brought the Reformation to life in my mind.

Dr. Sowards introduced me to Martin Bucer, “the other Martin” as the one who perhaps contributed more to the doctrines of the Reformation than any other, perhaps the exception of the first Martin. Bucer was Calvin’s mentor; hence, Calvin did not define Reformed doctrine; rather, he organized and systematized them. Such was his great talent and contribution. My students teased me, calling me a “Bucerian” rather than a Calvinist.
Bucer defied the Reformed doctrine of the spiritual presence during communion, re-introduced the office of elder in the church, organized the first small groups, provided the “Protestant confirmation” in having young people confess their faith publicly, and so much more. He studied assiduously, traveled extensively, engaged in myriad debates and colloquies, wrote several confessions of faith, and worked tirelessly to maintain unity among Protestants. He also tried to find a route to rare-uniting with Catholics. His most well-known attempt at unity was the Marburg Colloquy in which he brought Luther and Zwingli together to seek a compromise on the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper. I was so fascinated by this man that I published a biography of Bucer in 2008: Martin Bucer, unknown hero of the Reformation.

One of Bucer’s most successful theological discussions was with Hermann von Wied, the archbishop of Köln (Cologne). The archbishop was one of the seven electors of the Holy Roman Emperor, and Bucer persuaded him to accept Reformed doctrines. When the news reached his very Catholic Majesty, the emperor Charles V, he reacted by imposing the interim in Strasbourg which re-instated the mass in all the churches and expelled the Protestant pastors causing Bucer to accept Thomas Cranmer’s invitation to come to England. Bucer obviously terminated his very successful pastorate at St. Thomas Church in Strasbourg
In 2004 my wife organized a trip to visit many of the sites involved in Bucer’s life. We were accompanied on that journey by or friends Danny and Marti Hale and Randall and Patsy McGill. It was indeed a joy to stand within St. Thomas Church in Strasbourg where Bucer

was the pastor for many years until the emperor imposed the interim that required him to seek refuge in England. On the wall was a picture of Bucer which I used on my book, a picture that captures the determination of this man whom one of his close friends called “the fanatic for unity”
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