Andreas Rudolph Bodenstein von Karlstadt (1486-1541), better known as Andreas Karlstadt, was a Christian theologian during the Protestant Reformation. He was born in 1486 in Karlstadt, Bavaria.

Karlstadt received his doctorate of theology in 1510 from the University of Wittenberg. Previously, Karlstadt had been educated at the University of Erfurt and in Cologne. In the same year in which Karlstadt received his doctorate he became archdeacon and the chair of the theology department. In 1512 he awarded Martin Luther his doctorate.

Before 1515 Carlstadt was a proponent of scholasticism, although he had no specific ties to any specific monastic order. His beliefs were challenged during a trip to Rome in 1515, where he saw large-scale corruption in the Catholic Church, and in a document dated September 16, 1516 he wrote a series of 151 theses. (These should not be confused with Luther's 95 theses (1517), which addressed the same topic.)

In 1519 Johann Eck challenged Karlstadt to the Debate at Leipzig, although it was with Luther Eck eventually debated.

A papal bull was issued to excommuicate Karlstadt on June 15th, 1520. Luther was also named in the bull.

After the

In early January of 1522 the Wittenberg city council issued a decree authorizing the removal of imagery from churches and Karlstadt's Christmas service changes. On January 19th, Karlstadt married Anna von Mochau, the daughter of a poor nobleman. On January 20th the imperial government and the pope determined that Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony must reverse the changes. Frederick had most of the mass reverted, including the specific point that the Eucharist should be given in Catholic form.

In early March, Luther returned from Wartburg. From March 9th to March 16th Luther gave eight sermons in which he stressed much of the same theology as Karlstadt, but urged caution. This was a major turning point in the relationship between Karlstadt and Luther. Karlstadt started having mystical leanings, started wearing peasants' clothing, asked to be called Brother Andreas, and became disenchanted with the academic lifestyle.

In the summer of 1523 Karlstadt was invited by

In July 1524 Karlstadt resigned as archdeacon. Since the turning point in their relationship in 1522, Karlstadt and Luther continued to fiercly debate through public writings, and on August 22nd, 1524, Luther preached in Jena.

Karlstadt hid in the crowd during Luther’s preaching, and was so livid he wrote to Luther asking to see him. This led to the infamous confrontation at the Black Bear Inn. This conversation, recorded by a witness and published within a month of the confrontation, shows that there were a number of misunderstandings between the two men. For example, Luther was firmly convinced that Karlstadt was pushing forward what would become the Peasants’ War while evidence shows Karlstadt to have been against the Rebellion. Another example is the incorrect accusation by Luther that Karlstadt was not authorized to preach at the city church in Wittenberg during Luther’s stay at Wartburg.

In September 1524 Karlstadt was exiled from Saxony by the princes.

When the Peasants’ War broke out, Karlstadt was threatened and wrote to Luther and asked if Luther could help him. Luther agreed to, and Karlstadt was allowed back into Saxony. However, he had to sign a retraction and was not allowed to preach. This retraction, entitled “Apology” or “Apology by Dr. Andreas Karlstadt Regarding the False Charge of Insurrection Which has Unjustly Been Made Against Him,” contained a preface written by Luther. Karlstadt lived as a peasant in various towns in Saxony until 1529 when he retracted his retraction.

Fleeing Saxony, Karlstadt preached in various towns and cities, including two stints in Zurich. In 1534 he went to Basel to become a preacher and professor. He remained in Basel until he died of the plague in 1541.

During Karlstadt's lifetime he published about 90 writings in about 213 editions. Between the years 1518-1525 he published more works in Germany than anyone save Luther.

Writings

• On the Removal of Images , (1522)
• On Baptism

References

• Andreas Carlstadt: The Reformation Goes Radical, by John L. Hoh, Jr.
• Bainton, Roland H. Here I Stand. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950.
• Furcha, E.J. (Ed.) The Essential Carlstadt. Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 1995.
• Leroux, Neil R. 2003. Karlstadt’s christag predig: Prophetic rhetoric in an “evangelical”
• mass. Church History: 102-137.
• Sider, Ronald J. (Ed.) Karlstadt’s Battle With Luther. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1978. Andreas Bodenstein