Enchiridion Against the Lutherans

Johann Eck, a German theologian, was a prominent opponent of Martin Luther during the Reformation. Eck's Enchiridion Against the Lutherans, published in 1525, served as a summary of Catholic beliefs, addressing Protestant objections and offering counterarguments. This work became the best-known Catholic polemical handbook of the 16th century, experiencing widespread popularity with numerous editions before 1600. Eck was a prolific writer who defended papal authority and traditional Catholic doctrine, actively organizing Roman Catholic opposition to Protestantism across Europe. He also engaged in public debates with key Reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon.12