Andreas Rudolph Bodenstein, called Andreas Karlstadt because of his background, was a Christian theologian and reformer. He was born circa 1480 in Karlstadt.

Andreas Karlstadt studied law, philosophy, and theology. He became an assistant professor at the University in Wittenberg. In 1510 he acquired his Doctor of Theology, and became the chair of the theology department. He published 151 Theses in April of 1517, though it would be Luther's later 95 Theses that sparked the Reformation.

When Luther went to the Wartburg castle for his safety, Karlstadt worked toward reform in Wittenberg, performing a reformed communion service on Christmas Day, 1521, and repudiating his monastic vows. He renounced the idea of priestly celibacy, and on January 20, 1522 married Anna von Machau, the daughter of a poor nobleman. When Luther returned, Karlstadt was rebuked for going too far.

In his theology, Karlstadt held to non-violence on a personal level, but accepted the power of magistrates (government) to "wield the sword". His thinking and writing influenced early Anabaptists such as Conrad Grebel and Felix Manz. Some have identified him as accepting the beliefs of the Abecedarians.

Karlstadt was an early co-laborer with Luther, but they later became embroiled in theological controversy. He was able to reconcile with Zwingli. Kartstadt fled to Basel, Switzerland and became professor of theology, where he died on December 24, 1541.

Writings

• On the Removal of Images [Vom Abtun der Bilder], (1522)
• On Baptism [Vom dem Tauff]

References

• Andreas Carlstadt: The Reformation Goes Radical, by John L. Hoh, Jr.