chapter 2 Defending Wittenberg: Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt and the Pre-history of the Debate

Alyssa Lehr Evans

Since the Leipzig is such a decisive moment in his- tory, it is important to understand the events that precipitated it. This essay discusses the history leading to Leipzig, focusing on the layers of literary and academic exchange and the various rhetorical strategies between the major players: Johann Eck, Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt, and Martin . In particular, it gives needed attention to Karlstadt’s central role in the emerging reformation movement as a consistent and creative defender of Wittenberg’s innovative theological ideas.1 With the publication of his Apologeticae Conclusiones, Karlstadt instigated a public literary battle with Johann Eck

1 There are necessary limitations to this essay as this pre-history and the literature surround- ing it are quite dense. There is, however, surprisingly little literature in English. The best English summary of the pre-history of the debate is Martin Brecht, : His Road to Reformation, trans. James Schaaf (Philadephia: Fortress Press, 1985), 299–309. W. H. T. Dau’s The in 1519 (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1919) is also important to mention. Although dated, it contains helpful translations of primary sources not available in the American Edition of Luther’s Works (LW). The German sources consulted that sum- marize the historical background include classics, such as: Kurt-Victor Selge, “Der Weg zur Leipziger Disputation zwischen Luther und Eck im Jahr 1519,” in Bleibendes im Wandel der Kirchengeschichte, eds. Bernd Moeller und Gerhard Rubach (Tübingen, J.C.B. Mohr, 1973), 169–210; , “Wittenbergs Zweifrontkrieg gegen Prierias und Eck: Hintergrund und Entscheidungen des Jahres 1518,” Zeitschrift für Kirchengeschichte 80 (1969), 331–58; and Hermann Barge, Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt, vol. 1, Karlstadt und die Anfänge der Reformation (Leipzig: Brandstetter, 1905), 133–46. More recent literature includes (but is certainly not limited to) Jens-Martin Kruse, Universitätstheologie und Kirchenreform: Die Anfänge der Reformation in Wittenberg 1516–1522 (Mainz: von Zabern, 2002), 186–232; as well as a volume containing the proceedings from a 2009 conference in Leipzig marking the 490th Anniversary of the Debate: Die Leipziger Disputation 1519. 1. Leipziger Arbeitsgespräch zur Reformation (Herbergen der Christenheit, Sonderband 18), eds. Markus Hein und Armin Kohnle (Leipzig: 2011). This volume included helpful essays that presented the state of re- search and provided background on several figures involved in the debate, including Luther (Helmar Junghans), Eck (Johann Peter Wurm), and others. There was, however, no essay de- voted to Karlstadt. Happily, there is an updated and revised version of this volume due to be released this year, with an essay on Karlstadt by Stefania Salvadori, “Karlstadt und die Leipziger Disputation” (forthcoming). The narrative and the recent literature cited in this

© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2019 | doi:10.1163/9789004414631_004 32 Evans throughout 1518 that led to the Leipzig Disputation. This essay draws on the critical edition of Karlstadt’s works2 to consider the works in this controversy and to tell the story of this opening act that set the stage for Luther’s subse- quent leading role in the drama of the Leipzig Debate. By examining these sources, we are able to more fully reconstruct the pre-history of the debate and perceive the various strategies of all three theologians. This also provides insights into the development of a unified but diverse Wittenberg front at the time.

1 Humanist Friendships and “Private” Literary Exchanges

The relationship between Eck and those in Wittenberg began, not in conflict, but with mutual interests and respect. In early 1517, Christoph Scheurl, an ac- tive humanist and diplomat in Nuremberg,3 instigated a humanistic friendship between Eck in and Karlstadt, Luther, and Spalatin in Wittenberg.4 The Swabian-born Eck was a theologian and pro-chancellor at the . He shared an interest with the Wittenbergers in university reform and had already introduced a number of curriculum reforms at Ingolstadt.5

essay will focus primarily on Karlstadt’s role in the events and literary controversy leading to the Disputation. 2 Kritische Gesamtausgabe der Schriften und Briefe Andreas Bodensteins von Karlstadt (KGK), Parts I–II, ed. Thomas Kaufmann, et al. (Göttingen: Gütersloher Verlagshaus, 2017). The project is currently underway through the support of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the cooperation of the Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Göttingen and the Herzog-August-Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel (HAB). The complete edition will be available in both a digital (http://diglib.hab.de/edoc/ed000216/start.htm) and print format. To date, only KGK I has appeared in print; references to it will be made using volume, page, and line, as well as source numbers (Nr.). At this time material from KGK II can only be referenced by source numbers (Nr.). For more information, see the English language website: www .karlstadt-edition.org. 3 Scheurl was formerly professor of Law in Wittenberg from 1507 to 1512. For earlier interac- tions between Scheurl and Karlstadt see, for example, KGK I.1:277–90 and 295–303 (Nrs. 5–7 and 9–11). 4 A letter from Scheurl to Eck on January 14, 1517 provides an overview of the theologians at Wittenberg and offers to establish contact with them on Eck’s behalf. Franz von Soden and Joachim K. F. Knaake, eds., Christoph Scheurls Briefbuch (Aalen: Otto Zeller, 1962) 2:2–3 (Nr. 115); Eck, Briefwechsel, ed. Vinzenz Pfnür (Internet Edition: Münster, 2011), Nr. 39. On April 1, 1517, Scheurl sends letters to Luther, Karlstadt, and Spalatin to this end (Scheurl, Briefbuch, 2:11–14 [Nrs. 123–26]; See also WA Br 1:91 [Nr. 36]; KGK I.1:469–72 [Nr. 55]). 5 Erwin Iserloh, Johannes Eck (1486–1543): Scholastiker, Humanist, Kontroverstheologe (Münster: Aschendorff, 1981), 18–20. Eck had more humanist leanings and connections than popular his- toriography might assume. numbered Eck as a “humanist theologian”