Catholic Responses to Martin Luther

Introduction by David V. Bagchi (PDF)

Johann Tetzel, Rebuttal against Luther's Sermon on Indulgences and Grace (1518).

Translation by Dewey Weiss Kramer (PDF)

In 1518, Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar and Grand Commissioner for indulgences in Germany, composed the first Roman Catholic rebuttal of Martin Luther's Sermon on Indulgences and Grace (Sermon von dem Ablass und Gnade). This was Tetzel's response to Luther's "erroneous articles concerning papal indulgences and grace."

Johann Eck, Response on Behalf of Hieronymus Emser against Luther’s Mad Hunt (Leipzig: Martin Landsberg, 1519).

Translation by David V. Bagchi (PDF)

The first edition of a pamphlet by Johann Eck in support of Hieronymus Emser, a theologian in Leipzig and one of Luther's most vehement early opponents.

Augustin von Alveldt, A sermon in which Brother Augustine von Alveldt, of St. Francis’ Order, who was insulted and dishonored with many shameful names in [the writings of] Brother Martin Luther, of the Augustinian Order, expresses his complaint (Leipzig: Durch Vuolffgangk Stöckel, 1520).

Translation by Kurt Hendel (PDF)

Augustinus Alveldt, a Franciscan teacher, and later provincial head of the order, here responds to Luther's tract, "Von dem Papsttum zu Rom," in which Luther explains his views on the Papacy.

Hieronymous Emser, To the Bull in Wittenberg (1521).

Translation by Armin Siedlecki (PDF)

In 1521 Martin Luther wrote To the Goat in Leipzig (1521), as a defense of his Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520) against Emser’s attacks (“goat” appeared in the title of Luther’s work in reference to the goat’s head in Emser’s family crest). Emser secured a prepublication draft of Luther’s 1521 pamphlet and so was able to publish his reply, To the Bull in Wittenberg, in 1520.

Wolfgang Wulffer, Against the Unholy Rebellion of Martin Luder (1522).

Translation by Martin Lohrmann (PDF)

In 1522 Wulffer had issued a response to Martin Luther's Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520), and so when Luther replied with A Sincere Admonition by Martin Luther to All Christians to Guard against Insurrection and Rebellion, Wulffer published his second work against Luther—Against the Unholy Rebellion of Martin Luder (1522)—charging the reformer with fomenting insurrection.

Augustin von Alveldt, Against the Wittenberg Idol Martin Luther (1524).

Translation by Geoffrey Dipple (PDF)

In 1524, Duke George of Saxony successfully achieved the canonization of Bishop Benno of Meissen, a late eleventh and early twelfth-century bishop who had supported the papacy in the German Investiture Controversy. Luther rushed his response, Against the New Idol and Old Devil, to this provocation to the reformers before June 16, when Benno’s bones were to be moved to the Meissen cathedral. Alveldt defended the canonization of Benno in Against the Wittenberg Idol Martin Luther, published in a single edition in 1524 without indication of either publisher or place of publication.

Paul Bachmann, Response to Luther’s Open Letter to Albert of Mainz (Augsburg: Alexander Weissenhorn, 1530).

Translation by William R. Russell (PDF)

Polemical response, by Paul Bachmann, Abbot of Altenzelle, and an early opponent of Luther, to Luther's letter of 1530 to Albert, Archbishop of Mainz. Albert was inclined towards a peaceful solution to the issues of the Reformation. Dedicatory preface to Conrad, Abt zuo Cayserszhaym, by Johann Cocleus.

Konrad Wimpina, Against Martin Luther’s Confession, newly composed for the Diet of Augsburg in Seventeen Articles, Interpreted Succinctly and in a Christian Manner (Augsburg: Alexander Weissenhorn, 1530).

Translation by Dewey Weiss Kramer (PDF)

This pamphlet contains the Catholic response to the first, unauthorized edition of the Schwabach Articles, published in Coburg in 1530. Among the authors of this tract, Konrad Wimpina and Johannes Mensing helped draft the Catholic Confutation of the Augsburg Confession.

Johann Eck, Address of the theologian Johann Eck, given at the imperial assembly of Regensburg, with the bishops, speakers, and priests present at the lord’s court. (Ingolstadt: Excudebat Alexander Vueissenhorn, 1541).

Translation by David Ryan Stevenson (PDF)

This is the first printing of Eck's speech to the Diet of Regensburg on April 5, 1541, defining the Catholic understanding of the Lord's Supper. The Diet of Regensburg proved to be Eck's last appearance as a major theological political leader, for his health declined and he could no longer bear the weight of these grueling encounters.

Johannes Cochlaeus, Sieben Kopffe Martin Luthers, von acht hohen sachen des Christlichen glaubens (1529?).

Translation by Ralph Keen (PDF)

This volume consists of translations from J. Cochaeus' Latin work Septiceps Lutherus. It is cast in dialogue form and discusses eight topics of religion, showing how Luther had departed from Catholic truth in these areas. The title page woodcut was a classic piece of Catholic propaganda, portraying Luther not only as a Doctor and Churchman, but as a Turk, a wild enthusiast (Schwarmer) and "Barrabas."