Editing Martin Bucer (section)

==Dialogue with Luther and Zwingli (1524–1530)==
{{see also|The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ—Against the Fanatics}}
Beginning in 1524, Bucer concentrated on the main issue dividing leading reformers, the [[eucharist]]. In this dispute, he attempted to mediate between Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli. The two theologians disagreed on whether the body and blood of Christ were physically present within the elements of bread and wine during the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Luther believed in a corporeal or physical [[real presence]] of Christ; and Zwingli believed Christ's body and blood were made [[Spiritual real presence|present by the Holy Spirit]]. By late 1524, Bucer had abandoned the idea of corporeal real presence and, after some [[exegesis|exegetical]] studies, accepted Zwingli's interpretation. However, he did not believe the Reformation depended on either position but on faith in Christ, other matters being secondary. In this respect he differed from Zwingli.<ref>{{Harvnb|Eells|1931|pp=72–73}}; {{Harvnb|Greschat|2004|pp=72–74}}</ref>

[[Image:MartinLuther UlrichZwingli.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Bucer tried to mediate between [[Martin Luther]] (left) and [[Huldrych Zwingli]] (right) on doctrinal matters.]]

In March 1526, Bucer published ''Apologia'', defending his views. He proposed a formula that he hoped would satisfy both sides: different understandings of scripture were acceptable, and church unity was assured so long as both sides had a "child-like faith in God". Bucer stated that his and Zwingli's interpretation on the eucharist was the correct one, but while he considered the Wittenberg theologians to be in error, he accepted them as brethren as they agreed on the fundamentals of faith.{{Sfn |Eells|1931|pp=74–6}}{{Sfn |Greschat| 2004 | pp =74–5}} He also published two translations of works by Luther and [[Johannes Bugenhagen]], interpolating his own interpretation of the Lord's Supper into the text. This outraged the Wittenberg theologians and damaged their relations with Bucer.{{Sfn |Eells|1931|pp=77–81}}{{Sfn |Greschat|2004|p=75}}  In 1528, when Luther published {{Citation | language = de | title = Vom Abendmahl Christi, Bekenntnis |trans-title=[[Confession Concerning Christ's Supper]]}}, detailing Luther's concept of the [[sacramental union]], Bucer responded with a [[treatise]] of his own, {{Citation | language = de | title = Vergleichnung D. Luthers, und seins gegentheyls, vom Abendmal Christi |trans-title=Conciliation between Dr. Luther and His Opponents Regarding Christ's Supper}}. It took the form of a dialogue between two merchants, one from Nuremberg who supported Luther and the other from Strasbourg who supported Bucer, with the latter winning over his opponent. Bucer noted that as Luther had rejected [[impanation]], the idea that Christ was "made into bread", there was no disagreement between Luther and Zwingli; both believed in a spiritual presence of Christ in the eucharist. Luther harshly rejected Bucer's interpretation.{{Sfn |Eells|1931|pp=87–90}}{{Sfn |Greschat|2004|pp= 76–7}}

During this time, Bucer and Zwingli remained in close touch, discussing other aspects of theology and practice such as the use of religious images and the liturgy. Bucer did not hesitate to disagree with Zwingli on occasion, although unity between Strasbourg and the Swiss churches took priority over such differences.  In 1527, Bucer and Capito attended the [[Bern Disputation]] to decide whether the city should accept reformed doctrines and practices. Bucer provided strong support for Zwingli's leading role in the disputation, which finally brought the Reformation to [[Bern]].{{Sfn |Eells|1931|pp=50–2}}{{Sfn |Greschat|2004|pp= 77–9}}

The last meeting between Zwingli and Luther was at the [[Marburg Colloquy]] of October 1529, organised by [[Philip of Hesse]] and attended by various leading reformers, including Bucer. Luther and Zwingli agreed on 13 of the 14 topics discussed, but Zwingli did not accept the doctrine of the real presence, on which Luther would not compromise. After the discussion broke down between the two, Bucer tried to salvage the situation, but Luther noted, "It is obvious that we do not have one and the same spirit."{{Sfn |Greschat|2004|p=93}}  The meeting ended in failure. The following year, Bucer wrote of his disappointment at doctrinal inflexibility:
{{Quote | If you immediately condemn anyone who doesn't quite believe the same as you do as forsaken by Christ's Spirit, and consider anyone to be the enemy of truth who holds something false to be true, who, pray tell, can you still consider a brother? I for one have never met two people who believed exactly the same thing. This holds true in theology as well.{{Sfn |Greschat|2004|pp=93–4}}}}