What was the Reformation debate over the Lord’s Supper really about? Matthew Barrett and Samuel Bierig

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.

Matthew Barrett is the editor-in-chief of Credo Magazine and host of the Credo podcast. He is professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Director of the Center for Classical Theology. He is the author of the award-winning Simply Trinity and his new book is called, The Reformation as Renewal (Zondervan Academic). He is currently writing a Systematic Theology (Baker Academic).

Samuel Bierig serves as the undergraduate dean and as professor of Biblical Studies at Spurgeon College. He also serves as an elder at Liberty Baptist Church. Sam received his Ph.D. in Theology from Midwestern and holds degrees from Southern Seminary and Ouachita Baptist University as well. He is the author of No Neutral Words (Rainer Publishing) and the editor of Fulfill Your Student Ministry: A Manifesto and Field Guide. He is also a regular contributor at ftc.co. He is married to Mallory, and they have two children: Abby and Levi.