Victor R. Claveau, MJ
The ablest Catholic theologian of the day in Germany was Dr. Johann Eck[1] of the University of Ingolstadt. Some three years younger than Luther, he completed his master’s degree at the University of Tübingen at the early age of fourteen, while Luther was still an undergraduate.
In May 1518, Luther’s friend Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt, who had sometime before committed himself publicly and enthusiastically in support of Luther’s theology, assailed Eck in a series of theses. The Wittenberg faculty arranged a program of debates. The debates between Eck and Karlstadt on grace and free will took place during June and July 1519, in the castle Pleissenburg at Leipzig, with the permission and in the presence of Duke George of Saxony.
Because Karlstadt was simply endeavoring to support and defend Luther, Eck challenged Luther directly. Luther appeared and bore his share in the debate, chiefly debating the primacy of the pope (13th thesis). When Eck pointed out that Luther was reviving the heresy of Wyclif and Hus — which had been condemned by the Church — Luther denied the infallibility of general councils, especially of Constance, which had condemned their heresies.
Although the principle of divine law, the Papal supremacy and the authority of councils were the subjects of most of the debate, Purgatory[2], indulgences and penance[3] also were the subjects of controversy.
Eck, who was skilled in the art of debate, proved his points easily and lucidly, but Luther’s hot temper and inflexibility prevented them from reaching agreement.
The conflict was continued by means of the press. There soon appeared a flood of contentious literature in the form of pamphlets illustrated with hateful caricatures aimed at belittling the Pope, the cardinals, priests and monks who opposed Luther’s new doctrines. These writings did much to subvert the masses and promote the cause of the Reformation.
Luther did not fare well during his debate with Eck and later denounced him in An Open Letter to Pope Leo X :
“When I had made some progress in these studies [scripture], Satan opened his eyes and then filled his servant Johann Eck, a notable enemy of Christ, with an insatiable lust for glory and then aroused him to drag me unawares to a debate, seizing me by means of one little word which I had let slip concerning the primacy of Rome.”[4] The Leipzig disputation became a turning point for Luther. Because he rejected the teaching authority of the Church and Sacred Tradition, he was forced to fall back on Scripture alone as the only support for his principles.
[1] Note: Real name John Mayr, born in the town of Eck in Swabia.
[2] An intermediate state between heaven and hell in which the saved soul can atone for unforgiven sins before receiving their final reward. See Schroeder, Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, p. 214.
[3] A sacrament of the New Law instituted by Christ in which by the absolution of a priest, acting as judge, sins committed after Baptism are forgiven to a person who confesses them with sorrow and a purpose of amendment. It is an article of faith for Catholics that this power was given to the Church in the circumstances related in John 20:21-23.
[4] Lull, Timothy F., ed., Martin Luther’s Basic Theological writings, (Minneapolis: Fortress Press. 1989), p. 590.