After Regensburg

Abstract

This chapter sets out the ongoing debates over justification in the aftermath of Article 5. From 1541 to 1543 Bucer engaged in a literary controversy over the article with Eck and Pighius. There followed the controversy surrounding the attempted Cologne Reformation, in which Bucer (and to a lesser extent Melanchthon) engaged in a literary exchange with Gropper especially. This involved disputes about the events surrounding Article 5, as well as the theological issues arising from it, such as twofold righteousness and imputed righteousness. Gropper also had to respond to criticisms from the Leuven theology faculty. Gropper continued to hold the ideas he had embraced at Regensburg in the final months of his life. There was a second colloquy of Regensburg, in 1546, also involving Bucer, which involved discussion of Article 5. Finally, the Tridentine Decree on Justification rejected the ideas of twofold righteousness and imputed righteousness.