Johann Eck was a Catholic theologian who became the greatest adversary of Martin Luther in the early years of the Protestant Reformation.

What is Johann Eck famous for?

Johann Eck is famous as a Defender of the Faith of the Catholic Church. He was the first to attack Luther's 95 Theses and continued these attacks from 1517 until his death in 1543.

What was Johann Eck's main argument against the Protestants?

Johann Eck's central argument was that the Catholic Church arrived at decisions on interpretation of scripture, practice, and policy through councils and careful evaluation, thereby establishing authority whereas the Protestants claimed anyone who read the Bible could be their own authority on scripture. Eck argued that, if that were true, then there was no truth, only opinion.

How and when did Johann Eck die?

Johann Eck died of fever in 1543.

Timeline: Johann Eck

Definition

Johann Eck (l. 1486-1543) was a Catholic theologian and writer best known for his disputations with Martin Luther (l. 1483-1546) beginning in 1517 and continuing until his death in 1543. Eck maintained the position that, if anyone could determine truth for themselves, then there was no truth, only opinion; a claim that became central to the Counter-Reformation.

More about: Johann Eck

Timeline

1486 - 1543
Life of Johann Eck, Catholic theologian and Martin Luther's main adversary.
1498
Johann Eck is enrolled at Heidelberg University.
1501
Johann Eck receives is master's degree.
1510
Johann Eck receives is Doctorate in Theology.
1512
Johann Eck is appointed pro-chancellor of the University of Ingolstadt.
1517
Johann Eck meets Martin Luther.
1517
Johann Eck is the first Catholic theologian to attack Luther's 95 Theses.
1519
Johann Eck debates Luther and Karlstadt at Leipzig.
1520
Johann Eck posts Papal Bull denouncing Luther's claims as heresy.
1523
Johann Eck has the Lutheran scholar Seehofer arrested for heresy; Argula von Grumbach responds with open letter.
1530
Johann Eck denounces the Lutheran confession of faith at the Diet of Augsburg.
1530 - 1542
Johann Eck continues to defend the Catholic Church until his death in early 1543.

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