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Radical Reformation History  /  Lecture 6: The Early Lives of Zwingli and Conrad Grebel  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 4
Dean described Zurich as a place where “the church hardly—no one even hardly ever heard the Bible,” and then expository preaching through Matthew felt revolutionary; what does this episode suggest about God’s intention for ordinary believers’ access to His Word, and where do modern churches still functionally keep people dependent on “experts” even if everyone owns Bibles?
Another way to ask: What does the push for Bible teaching in Zurich show about God wanting regular people to hear and understand His Word? In what ways do churches today still keep people relying on “experts” even though we all have Bibles?

Direct Answer The episode suggests God intends His Word to be heard and understood by ordinary people, not hidden behind clerical routines, and that steady, Scripture-driven preaching can reshape a whole city. It also warns that people can still be kept dependent if leaders replace Scripture itself with controlled “readings” or gatekept knowledge.

Support from Transcript:

  • Dean says in that era “no one even hardly ever heard the Bible” and “the priest didn’t even have a Bible,” highlighting severe lack of access.
  • Zwingli broke the normal pattern of set readings from a lectern and announced, “I’m going to begin to preach through the entire… New Testament, beginning at the book of Matthew, section by section.”
  • Dean calls this “completely new” and “the beginning of expository preaching,” centered on opening the Bible and explaining it.
  • The people “loved it” and “were finally flocking into the church,” implying Scripture access produced spiritual hunger and growth.
  • Even later, a “village minister” cried, “I don’t have enough money to have a Bible,” showing dependence and scarcity were real barriers.
Discussion Follow-ups What subtle ways do churches today substitute summaries, platforms, or personalities for sustained Bible teaching? How can leaders encourage members to be active hearers and readers rather than passive consumers?

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