The Brothers Sundered: The Luther-Karlstadt Correspondence History and Documentary Companion to The Wittenberg Breach (1518-1528)

BEFORE ROME COULD DESTROY THE REFORMATION, THE REFORMATION NEARLY DESTROYED ITSELF.

Martin Luther and Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt were once the twin pillars of the early Wittenberg movement. Together, they sparked a theological fire that defied the Pope, enraged the Holy Roman Empire, and changed the course of history.

But what began as a united, fraternal front at the Leipzig Debate of 1519 quickly devolved into a bitter, irreconcilable divorce. While Luther was hidden away in exile at the Wartburg Castle, Karlstadt accelerated the revolution. The two reformers clashed violently over the pace of reform, the destruction of religious images, the role of the secular authorities, and the true nature of the Eucharist.

In The Brothers Sundered, William Scott Ray presents the vital, newly translated documentary evidence of this tragic schism. Serving as the essential companion to The Wittenberg Breach, this meticulously edited volume spans from their early alliance in 1518 to their final, fractured letters in 1528.

Through these unfiltered primary sources, readers are invited to witness the exact moments the early Protestant movement tore itself apart.

Inside this definitive volume, you will discover the primary documents of the schism, including:

• • The Leipzig Correspondence (1519): The early letters revealing Luther and Karlstadt standing shoulder-to-shoulder against Johannes Eck and the Catholic establishment.
  • The Acta Ienensia (1524): The dramatic, fiery confrontation between Luther and Karlstadt at the Black Bear Tavern in Jena-the exact moment the Wittenberg movement formally severed.
  • The Orlamde Proceedings (1524): The tense, hostile transcript of Luther attempting to face down Karlstadt's radicalized, iconoclastic congregation.
  • The Strasbourg Exchange: The desperate letters from the Strasbourg preachers attempting to mediate the escalating war between the two reformers.
  • Karlstadt's Apology (1525): Karlstadt's urgent, bitter defense against the false charges of inciting the devastating Peasants' War.

Featuring comprehensive historical introductions for every document, The Brothers Sundered provides the critical context needed to navigate the complex 16th-century vernacular.

This is not merely a record of an ancient argument; it is a profound exploration of the high cost of theological conviction. The Brothers Sundered is an indispensable historical resource for pastors, scholars, and anyone seeking to understand the turbulent, fragile infancy of the Reformation.