In episode 4 of this mini-series, Samuel Bierig asks Matthew Barrett, author of newly released book The Reformation as Renewal (Zondervan Academic), about the intense divisions over the Lord’s Supper during the Reformation and whether there is more than meets the eye. As Barrett moves below the surface he shows that at the root of the debates between Luther and Zwingli are two contrasting perspectives on hermeneutics and Christology. With appeals to the creeds as well as the gospel itself, Luther and Zwingli alike considered their divide impossible to overcome. In this episode, Samuel Bierig and Matthew Barrett discuss everything from metaphysics to hermeneutics to understand the sacraments and how Christ’s person and work affect the way Christians today gather each Lord’s Day and participate in the Lord’s Supper.
Sam Bierig serves as Vice President of Undergraduate Studies, Dean of Spurgeon College, and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Spurgeon College. Sam completed his Ph.D. in Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he wrote his dissertation on hermeneutics and the interpretation of the book of Proverbs. He has written a devotional on Jonah, a book for pastors titled No Neutral Words, and a book for student pastors titled Fulfill Your Student Ministry.