The phrase is heavily associated with Luther's one-time ally, eventual antagonist Andreas Karlstadt, who uses/overuses "in der Christliche statt Wittenberg" in the prefaetio to a set of treatises he had published in January 1522.

The two texts (published as one) advocate (1) the abolition of images/icons in religious worship and (2) better policies to care for the poor people of the city. In conjunction with a recent ordinance he advocated for, Karlstadt is making the leap from "Christian citizens" to "Christian city", that is, the city run in accordance with the freedom (rather than command) to follow Old Testament law.