Carlstadt

views updated Jun 27 2018

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.