Brian Hamilton-Vise

Confrontation at Black Bear

Verdammt. Damn it, damn it, damn it. What is he doing here? Hasn’t he tortured me enough, hasn’t he already run me out of my home? I haven’t been doing anything to him, not even a single pamphlet or public speech. All my reforms have stayed inside Orlamünde, and they’ve been so quiet! Since when was it offensive to refuse academic titles? Since when does teaching in a circle rather than from a pulpit count as heresy? I’ve done nothing that should have brought him here, not the slightest thing! But still he’s followed me, so hateful and wearing a smirk quite unbefitting of such a religious “authority.” I still don’t understanding why the people love him so much, as if he were some sort of prophet. So he speaks well in public–and writes a bit more eloquently. But half of his theses were mine first! I was the real revolutionary, the force behind all that has happened, the reason that the people were able to meet God for the first time in their lives, not this fool of a man!

Oh, I shouldn’t speak like that. No, no, of course I can’t speak like that. Weren’t we once friends? Weren’t we once the best of friends? I remember those days at the University, back before either of us had the slightest intention of challenging the Roman church, when we would sit around a table in the library and laugh excitedly at the profundity of our pathetic theological insights. (We were so foolish to think ourselves learned then–look how far we’ve come!) But we were inseparable. As we realized that we simply had to change things, had to reform this church that was so dear to us, only then did the tension begin to build. We knew we had differences, but they didn’t matter until then. I wrote my theses, but he disagreed and ignored them. But didn’t I compromise, agree to endorse his theses for the sake of that much needed reform of the church? Yes, I did! I, Sir Luther’s senior colleague, became his follower all for the sake of Christ and his church! I humbled myself, even against my conscience, because I knew that some challenge must be made if any change was to come at all. After he went into hiding, obviously I had to carry on in Wittenburg without him; we could not have simply stopped working in his absence. What did he expect, that things would be exactly the same when he returned? He was scared, scared to lose power I think, and so he sided against me right away, as soon as he was back. Not a single word of greeting after such a long time away from his dearest friend, just sermon after sermon—eight of them!—attacking his humble partner and eventually driving me away from my home and into this quiet town. Yes, we were the best of friends and now he sits at the bar and drinks silently, as if he didn’t even know I were here. He must be tired from such a long day of preaching against me once again.

What shall I do? Return his cruel indifference? No! No, I will go speak to him, clear things up between us so that we can be partners again, working together for the sake of the church. I am willing! After all, the Christ did preach forgiveness. With a little conversation, surely he will recognize the error of baptizing our infants and keeping images pasted around our places of worship. Surely he will, in the admonition of the Spirit! And if he doesn’t, I’ll hit him in the face. He would not disagree that he deserves it.

“Martin, old friend!” Perhaps my greeting was too cheerful–look at the feigned surprise on his face! Surely he will agree to be my partner again. Won’t he?

“Oh, Andreas, you followed me here! Haven’t we been arguing all day? Go home to your wife and leave me alone.”

How dare he suggest that I followed him? The height of arrogance! “You call today’s activity arguing, dear friend? If I recall, you have simply built yourself a pulpit–the only one in this fine city–and tried to elevate yourself and banish me, again! I have scarcely said a word, and if I had–that is, when I do, there shall be no doubt in the people’s minds which of us more clearly grasps the plain truth of the scriptures! Dear friend, you have come to Orlamünde in vain.” There. Someone needed to check his pride. Wait… is he laughing?!

“Excuse me, Mr Karlstadt! I did not realize that these poor people were so inextricably in your grasp. If you are so sure of my error, and of your sound ability to refute me, then I would ask you to do it publicly, and in print! I will not, dear friend, let you get away so easily with duping the townspeople of this fine city! Will you refuse a public debate?” Just like you, Martin: raising your voice precisely on those lines you want the world to hear! You have, I’m sure you know, trapped me. I can hardly hit you in the face now, with you pretending such a noble character, no matter how much you deserve it.

Just loud enough that everyone can hear, but not so loud that I look out of control: “Of course not. We will debate in print.” Perfect! Your wife would congratulate you on your collectedness.

“It’s settled, then.”

Everybody watched him as he went out, but I am making my way calmly back to my coat and drink. I will not leave so abruptly, but rather casually–these people cannot see my fear. No, heavens no, I must keep my fear hidden. These people are my friends, my sheep–but Martin Luther is a legend. How could I have agreed to debate him? But I had no other choice, did I?

No, no, of course not. I have chosen rightly. For the sake of Christ I must press on, preaching the scriptures as the Holy Spirit reveals to me. Father in heaven, forgive me for reacting so poorly! Give me the grace to keep these debates civil, constructive, for I know that all teaching must be for the edification of the body. Give me the words to write, the issues to press, for I desire nothing more than faithfulness. I do not hate Martin, and I know that I am not free from insolence: forgive your wayward son in the name of the crucified Christ.

How long have I been sitting hunched over this chair–and with tears in my eyes? Has no one moved? Oh, dear, I must leave!

p{color:#aaa;font-size:.95em;}. Andreas Karlstadt’s polemics indeed detracted significantly from public support of Luther, though they clearly did not eliminate him. Regional authorities, however, troubled by Luther’s complaints and the public dissension, eventually expelled Karlstadt from Orlamünde in September 1524. Karlstadt remained on the run well into 1525, when he worked out a compromise with Luther for the sake of his family–that is, he recanted. As part of the agreement, Luther demanded that the family live with him, keeping close tabs on all of Karlstadt’s correspondence. Despite the impossibility of further conversation with the young Anabaptists in Zurich (which was, needless to say, much desired), Karlstadt’s earlier innovations proved immeasurably influential to the fledgling radical movement.

10 September 2005 | Comments (0)
Tags: Fiction, Reformation