This book examines the early development of the Reformation debate over the Lord's Supper. Going beyond Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli, it demonstrates the importance of late medieval heresy and the key role played by Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt in challenging traditional belief in Christ's corporeal presence in the sacrament.

"This is an extremely important book that re-charts the topography of early Eucharistic debates in the Reformation. Burnett succeeds admirably in placing Karlstadt and the other reformers in their proper historical and theological contexts. Readers will benefit greatly from her skillful treatment of the debates in the pamphlet literature, where issues of print, theology, and polemic are considered alongside the personal relationships of the reformers. A magnificent achievement." -- Bruce Gordon, author of Calvin "By focusing on the pivotal figure of Karlstadt and showing the development of his theology in the 1520s, Burnett has succeeded in breaking through the logjam of preconceived theological agenda held by many researchers and in placing the historical and intellectual twists and turns of Eucharistic theology during the early Reformation front and center. In the process she has rehabilitated the central role played by Karlstadt. Moreover, by providing cogent analysis of critical texts she allows the English-speaking reader access to another side in this crucial debate in the history of the Reformation." -- Timothy J. Wengert, Ministerium of Pennsylvania Professor of the History of Christianity, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia "Amy Burnett has written yet another excellent book: a study of a significant early Reformation figure on a very important topic in the period. Karlstadt has been neglected and sometimes misrepresented--and this study provides a solution to both problems. Burnett deals well with Karlstadt's background and looks carefully into the theology of his contemporaries, going beyond merely the obvious comparison with Luther. In addition, her study is so carefully textual and so balanced in its analysis that scholars working in Luther and Melanchthon will find analysis of these thinkers sound and insightful as well." -- Richard A. Muller, P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary "Burnett's book breaks important ground for the historian and theologian alike. Like a good work of scholarship, it also hints at new areas of creative inquiry. As a landmark study, it will be of use for students of religious history and theology for many years to come."--The Catholic Historical Review "Throughout her book, Burnett makes good on her subtitle, pursuing the circulation and impact of Karlstadt's ideas upon other reformers...an excellent initial study for her long-term project to assess 'the eucharistic controversy from its beginning through the signing of the Consensus Tigurinus in 1549.'"--Lutheran Quarterly "This book is an 'absolutely-must have' in graduate classes and continuing education on this topic."--Journal of Ecumenical Studies

Selling point: A new look at the Reformation debate over the Lord's Supper, written from a historical rather than a confessional/theological perspective Selling point: Demonstrates the impact of late medieval heresy on views of the Lord's Supper in the early Reformation Selling point: Re-evaluates the significance of Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt for the early Reformation Selling point: Focuses on the reception of evangelical ideas outside of the main centers of Wittenberg and Zurich Selling point: Clearly explains the varying interpretations of the Lord's Supper that developed within the evangelical movement through 1525

Amy Nelson Burnett is professor of history at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is the author of Teaching the Reformation: Ministers and their Message in Basel, 1529-1629 and The Yoke of Christ: Martin Bucer and Christian Discipline, as well as numerous articles on the Reformation in Switzerland and south Germany.

Selling point: A new look at the Reformation debate over the Lord's Supper, written from a historical rather than a confessional/theological perspective Selling point: Demonstrates the impact of late medieval heresy on views of the Lord's Supper in the early Reformation Selling point: Re-evaluates the significance of Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt for the early Reformation Selling point: Focuses on the reception of evangelical ideas outside of the main centers of Wittenberg and Zurich Selling point: Clearly explains the varying interpretations of the Lord's Supper that developed within the evangelical movement through 1525