Carlstadt

Carlstadt   Karlstadt , or Karolostadt , c.1480-1541, German Protestant reformer, whose original name was Andreas Rudolph Bodenstein. As early as 1516, Carlstadt presented theses denying free will and asserting the doctrine of salvation by grace alone. In 1518 he supported Luther against the attacks of Johann Maier von Eck by maintaining the supremacy of Scripture and in 1519 he appeared with Luther against Eck in the public disputation at Leipzig. He soon became known as the most extreme of the Wittenberg reformers. During Luther's stay at the Wartburg (1521-22) he became the leader at Wittenberg and began to put his radical beliefs into effect. His extreme spiritualization of religion tended to undermine the importance of the church and the sacraments. Upon his return Luther accused Carlstadt of betrayal and restored the more orthodox practices. Accused of revolutionary political activity he fled to Switzerland where he was protected by the Zürich preachers and became professor of theology at Basel.

Carlstadt or Karlstadt (c.1480–1541). Radical German Reformer, Andrew Bodenstein, who took his name from his birthplace in Bavaria. He became teacher at Wittenberg, was several times Dean, and came to support Luther's teaching. Luther's initial conservatism and Carlstadt's radical views were soon in conflict, especially during Luther's refuge in the Wartburg, when Carlstadt married, abandoned vestments, celebrated Communion in both kinds, disparaged infant baptism, destroyed pictures and statues, and removed music from the liturgy. He was compelled to leave Wittenberg (1528–9) for Switzerland where he finally taught in Basle.

Carlstadt (c.1480–1541), German Reformer, so named from his birthplace. From 1505 he taught at Wittenberg. In 1518 he supported M. Luther's criticism of indulgences and in 1519 he disputed publicly with J. Eck. He was excommunicated in 1520 and announced his break with the Papacy. In 1521 he celebrated the Eucharist in the vernacular, the first Reformer to do so; he wore no vestments, abandoned the Canon of the Mass, made no reference to sacrifice, and communicated the laity in both kinds. His programme of reform at this stage was more radical than Luther's; he came into conflict with him and resigned his academic position in 1523. In 1534 he was appointed preacher at the university church and professor of Hebrew at Basle.