Johannes Eck - Luther's most challenging opponent
In 1519 in Leipzig a debate took place between Luther and the academic papal heavyweight, John Eck.
Eck scored a huge point by making Luther concede that he agreed with some of the teachings of the hated ‘heretic’ John Huss.
Luther: ‘Among the condemned beliefs of John Huss and his disciples, there are many which are truly Christian and evangelical and which the Catholic church cannot condemn.’ (quoted in The Reformation, Owen Chadwick, Pelican p.50)
Luther caused a sensation at this debate by declaring that the supremacy of the Pope was unknown in the Scriptures, that it was a fairly recent historical development (only 400 years old) and that the General Councils were in error by giving their support to it. Christ, and only Christ, was the head of the Church.
Luther returned from the debate with his 200 bodyguards (loyal University students) and Melanchthon, who later succeeded him as the widely acknowledged leader of the German Reformation.
Luther enjoyed growing, and carefully thought through, political support as did other emerging Reformers in Europe. Spiritually and politically, it was time for Europe to break free from Rome.
And Luther’s most famous trial and his most robust declaration of personal integrity was still to come…
For the first part of the Martin Luther Story click here
For the next part of the Martin Luther Story click here
© 2008 Lex Loizides
