Indulgences: An Economy of Forgiveness > On the Leipzig Disputation
On the Leipzig Disputation, an Epistle Which Turns to the Issue of the Bohemians [=Hussites]
Hieronymous Emser (1478-1527)
Augsburg: Silvan Otmar, 1519
Burke Union Rare Pamphlets LH34 1519
Emser was one of Luther’s antagonists in this period and he referred to him as “Goat Emser.” This work summarizes the debate that occurred in Leipzig between Luther and his opponents. Chief among these was Johann Eck, one of the leading intellects of the day who, in the course of the debate got Luther to admit (partial) support for the Bohemian theologian Jan Hus, who had notoriously been condemned as a heretic despite receiving a safe-conduct from the emperor, and was executed at Constance in 1415. The event, during which Luther asserted that “scripture alone” (sola scriptura) rather than the Roman Church or the Pope, was the supreme authority for Christians, marked a turning point in Luther’s relation to the Church of which he was then, still, a member. Soon after, the papal bull Exsurge Domine was issued, condemning Luther’s writings and setting the stage for his excommunication.