Editing Johann Eck (section)

==Disputations with Luther and Karlstadt==
As early as the spring of 1517 Eck had entered into friendly relations with [[Martin Luther]], who had regarded him as in harmony with his own views, but this relationship was short-lived. In his ''Obelisci'', Eck attacked Luther's theses, which had been sent to him by [[Christoph von Scheurl]], and accused him of promoting the "heresy of the [[Bohemian Brethren]]", fostering anarchy within the Church<ref name=Schaff-Herzog/> and branded him a [[Hussite]].<ref name=EB1911/> Luther replied in his ''Asterisci adversus obeliscos Eccii'', while [[Andreas Karlstadt]] defended Luther's views of [[indulgence]]s and engaged in a violent controversy with Eck.<ref name="Schaff-Herzog" />

A mutual desire for a public disputation led to a compact between Eck and Luther by which the former pledged himself to meet Karlstadt in debate at [[Erfurt]] or [[Leipzig]], on condition that Luther abstain from all participation in the discussion. In December 1518, Eck published the twelve theses which he was prepared to uphold against Karlstadt, but since they were aimed at Luther rather than at the ostensible opponent, Luther addressed an open letter to Karlstadt, in which he declared himself ready to meet Eck in debate.<ref name=Schaff-Herzog/>

[[File: Julius Hübner Disputation.jpg|thumb|A depiction of Luther and Eck at the [[Leipzig Debate]] from the 1860s]]

The disputation between Eck and Karlstadt began at [[Leipzig]] on 27 June 1519. In the first four sessions Eck maintained the thesis that [[free will]] is the active agent in the creation of [[good works]], but he was compelled by his opponent to modify his position so as to concede that the grace of God and free will work in harmony toward the common end. Karlstadt then proceeded to argue that good works are to be ascribed to the agency of God alone, whereupon Eck yielded so far as to admit that free will is passive in the beginning of conversion, although he maintained that in the course of time it enters into its rights; so that while the entirety of good works originates in God, their accomplishment is not entirely the work of God.<ref name=Schaff-Herzog/>

Despite the fact that Eck was thus virtually forced to abandon his position, he succeeded in confusing Karlstadt and carried off the victory. He was less successful against Luther, who, according to Eck, was his superior in memory, acumen, and learning.<ref name=Schaff-Herzog/> After a disputation on the supremacy of the [[papacy]], [[purgatory]], penance, etc., lasting twenty-three days (4 July–27 July), the arbitrators declined to give a verdict. Eck did succeed in making Luther admit that there was some truth in the Hussite opinions and declare himself against the [[Pope]], but this success only embittered his animosity against his opponents.<ref name=EB1911/> Eck also forced Luther to declare that [[Ecumenical council|Ecumenical Councils]] were sometimes errant, as in the case when Constance (1414–1418) condemned Hus (1415). Luther effectively denied the authority of both pope and council. Eck was greeted as victor by the theologians of the [[University of Leipzig]].<ref name=Schaff-Herzog/>