Turn to Reformation

Karlstadt's commentary on Augustine's »De spiritu et littera« is an exceptional resource for understanding Karlstadt's conversion and his continued development into a reformer in these years of rapid change in Wittenberg (1517-1519). Alyssa Lehr Evans shows his »learning by doing,« how he self-consciously transitioned away from his scholastic career and developed new ways to move forward, even while still holding on for a time to traditional methods and style. Karlstadt openly wrestled with fundamental questions about which religious sources are authoritative and how they ought to be read. Evans shows how Karlstadt's reading and reception of Augustine played a pivotal role in his development and affected his theology and its practical applications, even his writing style. Placing this commentary and surrounding writings in their historical context provides a deeper understanding of Karlstadt's early thought, his reading and working methods, as well as his active role in the emergence of the reformation in Wittenberg. This work was awarded the 2025 Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise.

Introduction: The Commentary on Augustine as a Snapshot into Karlstadt in Transition
1. The Commentary in Context: Karlstadt as Reformer in Wittenberg 1517-1519
1.1 Reconstruction of the Lectures and Printing of the Commentary: Karlstadt's 151 Theses to his Epitome
1.2 Conclusion
2. Karlstadt Encounters Augustine: The Introduction Materials to the Commentary
2.1 Karlstadt's Scholastic Background and Early Works in the Wittenberg Context
2.2 An Analysis of The Introduction Materials to the Commentary
2.3 Karlstadt's Dedication Letter in Context: Conversion Narratives in Wittenberg
2.4 Conclusion
3. Sources: »Out with the New, in with the Old«
3.1 Karlstadt's Library and Sources
3.2 Authorship Questions in the Commentary
3.3 The Church's Prayers as Authoritative Sources for Theological Debate
3.4 Karlstadt's Explanations to his 151 Theses and their Content
3.5 Compiled Evidences and Sourcebooks
3.6 Conclusion
4. Karlstadt Reads Augustine: A Developing Hermeneutic
4.1 The »Right« Reading of Augustine
4.2 Interpreting Augustine by Augustine
4.3 Imitatio Augustini et Imitatio Pauli: Augustine as Interpreter of Paul par excellence
4.4 The Development of a New Hermeneutic: Karlstadt on Hermeneutical Principles in his 151 Theses
4.5 Karlstadt's Hermeneutical »Rules« in the Commentary
4.6 Karlstadt on Scripture and His Understanding of the Spirit/Letter Distinction
4.7 An Example of Karlstadt Reading and Wrestling with Augustine
4.8 Conclusion
5. Further Development in Style and Theology
5.1 A Change in Style
5.2 Developments in Theology
5.3 Conclusion
6. Karlstadt's Commentary on Augustine and His Development as a Reformer