Seminar Description
This seminar will explore the contemporary relevance of Martin Luther's teachings within the African context. In the 16th century, Martin Luther famously challenged the established practices of the Catholic Church, sparking a movement that profoundly influenced the Western world. But how do his ideas and principles resonate with Africans in the 21st century?
These seminar sessions will delve into Luther's writings, focusing on important themes such as the church’s role in societal missions, particularly in promoting equality and social justice—issues that remain crucial in African communities today. Additionally, the discussions will address how Luther’s emphasis on Christian vocation can provide valuable insights into modern African perspectives on governance, spirituality, and community development.
The seminar will be conducted through a series of interactive sessions, including presentations, reflective exercises, and plenary discussions, ensuring a comprehensive and participatory learning experience. Participants are encouraged to actively participate in discussions, contributing their unique viewpoints and experiences. This includes sharing relevant resources such as articles, books, and other materials that can enhance collective understanding and foster meaningful discussion.
Language: English
Since the eighteenth century, national historiographical accounts of the Reformation in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the Nordic countries have been characterized by a national and distinct Lutheran discourse. Within this paradigm, the influence of Martin Luther in Wittenberg and the role of the princes in the spread of the Reformation have been particularly emphasized. However, this has led to an underemphasis even in more recent research on the early Reformation movement and its theology, not least the urban reformation (theologically, administratively, and institutionally) and the humanist and Zwinglian influence on the Reformation movement as it spread from the Baltic Sea cities and along the trade routes and intellectual networks to the Nordic countries. The North is defined by the Scandinavian kingdoms (incl. German speaking regions), the North Atlantic region/Arctic and the extended Nordic influential sphere around the Baltic Sea.
Participants are invited to present papers or studies in the areas of urban and early reformation in the North, studies in theological networks and studies of Nordic reformers and their international connections and inspirations.
Languages: Seminar papers may be delivered in English or German; discussion will be in English.
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Seit dem 18. Jahrhundert sind die nationalen historiographischen Darstellungen der Reformation in Dänemark, Schweden, Norwegen und den nordischen Ländern von einem nationalen und ausgeprägt lutherischen Diskurs geprägt. Dabei wurde Martin Luthers Einfluss in Wittenberg und die Rolle der Fürsten bei der Ausbreitung der Reformation hervorgehoben. Dies hatte jedoch zur Folge, dass auch in der neueren Forschung zur frühen Reformationsbewegung und ihrer Theologie die städtische Reformation (theologisch, administrativ und institutionell) und der Einfluss des Humanismus und der Zwinglianismus auf die sich von den Ostseestädten und entlang der Handelswege und intellektuellen Netzwerke bis in die nordischen Länder ausbreitende Reformationsbewegung unterbelichtet wurden. Der Norden wird definiert durch die skandinavischen Königreiche (einschließlich der deutschsprachigen Gebiete), den nordatlantischen/arktischen Raum und die erweiterte nordische Einflusssphäre rund um die Ostsee.
Die Teilnehmer sind eingeladen, Referate oder Studien in den Bereichen städtische und frühe Reformation im Norden, Studien über theologische Netzwerke und Studien über nordische Reformatoren und ihre internationalen Verbindungen und Inspirationen zu präsentieren.
Sprachen: Die Seminarbeiträge können auf Englisch oder Deutsch gehalten werden; die Diskussion findet auf Englisch statt.
Wittenberg in the 1520s
The 1520s in Wittenberg were a time of challenge and change as Luther and his colleagues sought to establish the evangelische church through teachings, structures, and practices. This seminar will explore the role of Wittenberg as the hub of the Lutheran movement in this formative period via initiatives in Wittenberg itself and those directed beyond the town’s borders. Possible topics include Luther’s own work in Wittenberg, the work of Wittenberg colleagues who helped lead and carry out reform, the influence of students who studied in Wittenberg, and the roles of the university, court, and city council in reforming church and state. Each participant is invited to bring and present a paper, with discussion to follow.
Languages: German / English.
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Wittenberg in der 1520er Jahren
Die 1520er Jahre brachten Wittenberg viele Veränderungen und Herausforderungen, und Luther und seine Kollegen versuchten, Grundlagen für Lehre, Struktur und Rituale der werdenden evangelischen Kirche zu schaffen. Das Seminar untersucht die Rolle der Stadt Wittenberg als Zentrum der lutherischen Bewegung in dieser formativen Phase anhand von programmatischen Texten und Initiativen für Wittenberg selbst wie auch solcher, deren Absichten über die Stadtgrenzen hinausreichten. Mögliche Themen sind: Luthers Tätigkeit in Wittenberg; die Tätigkeit seiner Wittenberger Kollegen, die Reformen durchführten; der Einfluss Wittenberger Studenten; und die Rolle der Universität, des Hofes, und des Rates bei der Reform von Kirche und Territorium. Alle Teilnehmer sind eingeladen, Referate mit anschließender Diskussion zu halten.
Sprachen: Deutsch / Englisch
Bis in die Gegenwart ist Luther die bestimmende Person für das Luthertum, und zwar in exzeptioneller Weise: Keine andere Konfession kennt eine in ihrer Wirkung in Theologie und Frömmigkeit wie Konfessionskultur ähnlich dominierende Zentralgestalt.
Letztlich seit seinem ersten öffentlichen publizistischen Auftreten kam es zu einer Heroisierung Luthers in Wort und Bild, ja auch der „Reformator“ selbst arbeitete z.T. mit an seiner Monumentalisierung, die ihren bis heute nachhaltig prägenden Ausdruck in den zahlreichen Lutherstatuen des 19. Jahrhunderts fand.
Im Seminar soll verschiedenen Lutherbildern und ihrer Entstehung anhand ausgewählter Positionen historisch-kritisch auf den Grund gegangen werden. Die Teilnehmenden sind gebeten, ein Thema bzw. eine Person aus dem breiten Spektrum vorzuschlagen, angefangen bei Luther selbst oder seinen Zeitgenossen über die „Lutherische Orthodoxie“, Aufklärung und Pietismus, …, die Holl-Schule bis hin zu aktuellen Forschungspositionen.
Für das mit dem Seminarleiter abgesprochene Thema sind im zweiten Schritt Texte für die gemeinsame Seminarlektüre zu benennen. Im Seminar wiederum führt jede:r Teilnehmende in ihr / sein Thema mit einem Kurzreferat ein (ca. 20-30 Minuten). Dieses soll auch Impulse in Gestalt von Thesen bzw. (weiterführenden) Fragen bieten, mit denen die anschließende gemeinsame Quellenarbeit vorstrukturiert wird; bei dieser übernimmt die referierende Person die Leitung.
Alle Referate und Quellentexte werden vorab vom Seminarleiter zu einem Reader zusammengestellt und gehen den Teilnehmenden rechtzeitig vor Kongressbeginn zu. Die jeweiligen Fristen werden nach der Anmeldung bekannt gegeben.
Sprachen: Deutsch / Englisch.
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Ingo Klitzsch, “Images of Luther in Lutheran Confessional Culture"
To this day, Luther is the defining figure for Lutheranism, and in an exceptional way: No other Christian denomination has a similarly dominant central figure in terms of his impact on theology, piety and denominational culture.
Ultimately, since his first public appearance, Luther has been heroized in word and image, and even the "Reformer" himself was partly involved in his monumentalization, which has found its lasting expression in the numerous 19th century statues of Luther.
The seminar will take a historical-critical look at various images of Luther and their origins using selected positions. Participants are asked to suggest a topic or a person from the broad spectrum, ranging from Luther himself or his contemporaries to "Lutheran orthodoxy", the Enlightenment and Pietism, ..., the Holl School and current research positions.
For the topic agreed with the seminar leader, texts for the joint seminar reading are to be specified in the second step. In the seminar, each participant introduces his/her topic with a short presentation (approx. 20-30 minutes). This should also provide impulses in the form of theses or (further) questions, with which the subsequent common work on the sources is pre-structured; the person giving the presentation will take the lead in this.
All presentations and source texts will be compiled in advance by the seminar leader into a reader and will be sent to the participants in good time before the start of the congress. The respective deadlines will be announced after registration for the seminar.
Languages: German / English
Theories of emotions have a long history in Western philosophy and theology (see S. Knuuttila, Emotions in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy). Prominent 16th-century philosophers, such as Juan Luis Vives and Philip Melanchthon, discussed and reformulated these theories. Martin Luther was one of the theologians, whose rich terminology on emotions was firmly based on medieval theories. In this seminar, we invite participants to present papers and/or propose source texts to discuss all aspects of the 16th-century views on emotions.
Themes to discuss may include, but are not limited to following: emotions, virtues and vices (are love and fear of God emotions or virtues?); social emotions; emotions in rhetoric; apatheia and the Reformers; taxonomies of emotions; emotions in biblical interpretation and spirituality; emotions and moral motivation.
Language: English.
Luther war Prediger mit Leib und Seele. In den Predigten entfaltete er seine Theologie, mahnte seine Hörerinnen und Hörer und reagierte auf zeitgenössische Ereignisse.
Das Seminar lädt dazu ein, Luther als Prediger interdisziplinär zu erforschen. Anhand von Kurzvorträgen der Teilnehmenden nähern wir uns dem Thema aus homiletischer, historischer oder systematisch-theologischer Perspektive. Dabei werden die wichtigsten Methoden zur Interpretation von Predigtüberlieferungen vorgestellt und diskutiert. Dazu zählen der Umgang mit den verschiedenen Überlieferungsarten (Manuskript, Mitschrift, Druck) sowie die Instrumente zur historischen Rekonstruktion der Überlieferungsgeschichte. Außerdem lenken wir den Blick auf die theologische Entwicklung Luthers als reformatorischer Prediger und auf sein Wirken als Kasualprediger (Bestattungen, Hochzeiten, Taufen). Hierzu werden ausgewählte Predigten aus verschiedenen Phasen seines Wirkens gelesen und ausgelegt.
Sprachen: Deutsch / Englisch
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Luther was a preacher with heart and soul. In his sermons, he developed his theology, admonished his listeners and reacted to contemporary events.
The seminar invites you to explore Luther as a preacher from an interdisciplinary perspective. Based on short presentations by the participants, we will approach the topic from a homiletical, historical or systematic-theological perspective. The most important methods for interpreting sermon records will be presented and discussed. This includes dealing with the different types of transmission (manuscript, transcript, print) as well as the instruments for the historical reconstruction of the transmission history. We will also focus on Luther's theological development as a Reformation preacher and on his work as a casual preacher (funerals, weddings, baptisms). This involves reading and interpreting selected sermons from different phases of his work.
Language: German / English
Dass Luthers Denken mal eher auf der Seite der Neuzeit und mal eher auf der Seite des Mittelalters verortet wird, hat nicht zuletzt mit seinem Verständnis des religiösen Individuums zu tun. Die Rechtfertigungsbotschaft stellt die einzelne glaubende Person in ihrem Gegenüber zu Gott in den Mittelpunkt, das Priestertum aller Getauften denkt Kirche eben von diesen Gläubigen her. Je nach Deutungszugriff kann man darin Fortwirkungen der hoch- und spätmittelalterlichen Mystik eines Bernhard oder Johannes Tauler sehen oder Ansätze neuzeitlicher Theologie, wie sie sich mit Schleiermacher formieren sollte. Hinter den unterschiedlichen Deutungen stehen verschiedene methodische Zugriffe, aber auch divergierende Verständnisse der Theologie Martin Luthers als Ganzer. Das Seminar zielt darauf, diese Perspektiven in ein konstruktives Gespräch miteinander zu bringen. Dazu soll die intensive Lektüre von ausgewählten Quellen ebenso dienen wie Vorträge der Teilnehmenden zu Fragen ihrer Wahl im Rahmen des Gesamtthemas.
Sprachen: Deutsch / Englisch
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Some researchers see Luther as the conclusion of the Middle Ages, while others would rather put him at the beginning of Modernity. Both positions can refer to the Reformer’s understanding of the religious individual. The doctrine of justification centers around the believer facing God. The priesthood of all baptized builds the Church based on the individual faithful. One side might see the influence of medieval mysticism here, like in Bernard of Clairvaux or John Tauler. The other side could argue that we find the roots of modern theology here, as it is represented in Schleiermacher. Either of these views uses a different set of methods and implies a different understanding of Luther’s theology as a whole. The seminar gives space to debate these divergent views based on selected sources. Papers of participants contributing to the overall theme of the seminar are most welcome.
Languages: German / English
The seminar revolves around the notions of 'Word' and 'Language' in Martin Luther's thought. Our goal is to delve into Luther's hermeneutics, applying both historical and systematic-theological perspectives, and to explore its medieval and humanist roots. Key focal points include, among other things, Luther's views on logic/dialectics and rhetoric, as well as his concept of nova lingua, rooted in his christological and trinitarian thinking, and interconnected with his categorical distinction between philosophy and theology. Comparisons will be drawn to Luther’s contemporaries such as Erasmus, Melanchthon, and Zwingli, and existing secondary literature will be discussed.
Active participation from seminar attendees is anticipated. Each participant is expected to present a one-page reflection including a key question, related primary source(s) plus reference to research literature. This should be submitted to the seminar leaders by May 31st, 2025. The final program will then be crafted based on the interests and suggestions of the participants.
Languages: German and/or English. Latin reading skills are preferable.
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Das Seminar beschäftigt sich mit den Begriffen 'Wort' und 'Sprache' bei Martin Luther. Ziel ist es, Luthers Hermeneutik unter Berücksichtung ihrer mittelalterlichen und humanistischen Wurzeln sowohl aus historischer als auch aus systematisch-theologischer Perspektive in den Blick zu nehmen. Zu den Schlüsselthemen gehören u.a. Luthers Auffassung von Logik/Dialektik und Rhetorik sowie sein Konzept der nova lingua, das er aus der Christologie gewinnt und auf die Gottes- bzw. Trinitätslehre appliziert und das mit seiner kategorialen Unterscheidung von Philosophie und Theologie in Verbindung steht. Zum Vergleich werden Zeitgenossen wie Erasmus, Melanchthon und Zwingli herangezogen; auch die Literatur zum Thema soll diskutiert werden.
Aktive Beteiligung der Seminarteilnehmer*innen wird erwartet. Jede*r Teilnehmer*in ist gebeten, bis zum 31. Mai 2025 eine Seite einzureichen, auf der eine Leitfrage formuliert wird, mindestens eine zugehörige Primärquelle angegeben wird und die Verweise auf die Forschungsliteratur enthält. Danach wird das endgültige Programm, basierend auf den Interessen und Vorschlägen der Teilnehmer*innen, erstellt und versendet werden.
Sprachen: Deutsch und/oder Englisch abgehalten. Lateinkenntnisse sind wünschenswert.
The premise of this interdisciplinary workshop is to investigate the Reformation and Luther from a wider historical perspective, often labelled as the Long Reformation. The workshop will discuss how Luther (or other male contemporaries) perceived women as spiritual and theological agents and examples, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, give a voice to women as religious writers, thinkers, and facilitators/organizers during the Long Reformation. The new knowledge, produced thus far by a host of researchers representing different disciplines, about the active and many faceted roles of women as creators and interpreters of Christian faith forces us to also revisit the continuities and discontinuities between medieval early modern age.
The foregoing is intended to be realized via interpreting a substantial range of texts composed of women and by women from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century. Luther’s (or other male contemporaries’) writings may discuss biblical, historical, or contemporary women as religious agents and examples, theological teachers, and interpreters of the sacred. Texts by women themselves may tell how they understand and express themselves as female persons, wives, mothers, nuns, or widows; how they use, help, and interpret Christian faith, beliefs, and practices in their own and family life; how they see and interpret their role as the member of congregation/parish and religious institutions; what motivates them to write and act. Our aim is that the texts discussed will cover a wide range of literal genres, e.g., letters, pamphlets, poems, hymns, travel narratives, diaries, novels as well as theological and political essays.
The ultimate aim of the workshop is to publish an article collection under the title of the seminar.
Method of the seminar
The work of the seminar will include two pre-congress workshops via Zoom (each from half to one day). In the first meeting, you will be expected to introduce your research topic. In the second meeting, a draft of your paper will be presented. A finished or pre-written paper will be presented at the congress. At the second meeting and during the congress week, a commentator is assigned to each paper, but in principle everyone is expected to read each other's work. The meetings are based on a joint discussion.
Language: English
Testes veritatis. Die reformatorische Theologie Wittenbergs zwischen Innovation und historischer Rückbindung Beobachtungen zum Wahrheitszeugendiskurs in der Reformationszeit /
Testes Veritatis: Wittenberg’s Reformation Theology between Innovation and Historical Connectivity. Some Observations on the Truth Witness Discourse in Reformation Era
Das historisch-theologische Seminar „Testes veritatis“ rückt die Entstehung wie Funktion des Konzepts evangelischer Wahrheitszeugen in den Mittelpunkt, das aus der Wittenberger Reformation hervorging.
Die Teilnehmenden folgen der Entwicklung des Wahrheitszeugenkonzepts von seinen Anfängen in der Theologie Martin Luthers bis hin zur methodisch ausdifferenzierten Version in Matthias Flacius‘ Catalogus testium veritatis (1556/1562).
Im Vorfeld des Kongresses zugeteilte Arbeitsgruppen befassen sich mit der Ausarbeitung des Wahrheitszeugenkonzepts bei Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Georg Major und Matthias Flacius. Dabei bearbeitet je eine Gruppe je einen Reformator und die entsprechenden Schlüsseldokumente. In der gemeinsamen Seminardiskussion werden die Linien zusammengeführt, damit die theologische wie historiographische Tragweite dieses Konzepts reformatorischer Selbsthistorisierung deutlich wird. Anhand der martyriologischen Weiterführung des Konzepts bei Ludwig Rabus und John Foxe sowie der reformierten Transformation bei Jean Crespin erarbeitet das Seminar auch einen Ausblick auf die Weiterführung des Wahrheitszeugenkonzepts in der Geschichte des Protestantismus.
Neben Gruppenarbeiten stellen Einzelreferate die zu betrachtenden Theologen im Porträt vor, damit eine Einbettung des theologischen Nachdenkens über das Wahrheitszeugenkonzept in die Biographie des jeweiligen Theologen sinnvoll gelingt.
Im Zentrum der historisch-theologischen Diskussion des Wahrheitszeugenkonzepts der Wittenberger Reformation steht seine theologische wie historiographische Verortung. Das Seminar diskutiert dabei Thesen meiner Dissertationsschrift (Testes veritatis. Studien zur transformativen Entwicklung des Wahrheitszeugenkonzepts in der Wittenberger Reformation, Tübingen 2022), in denen entfaltet wird, dass das Wahrheitszeugenkonzept sowohl historiographisch als auch ekklesiologisch hergeleitet werden kann. Die Diskussionen erfolgen in Form von didaktischen Rollenspielen und simulierter Disputationen in Arbeitsgruppen und im Plenum.
Zur Vorbereitung des Seminars wird es wichtig sein, die dann zur Verfügung gestellten zentralen Quellentexte und Sekundärliteratur zu studieren, um eine fruchtbare Diskussion führen zu können. Die meisten der Quellentexte sind in Frühneuhochdeutsch abgefasst, aber andere, zentrale Quellen (wie z.B. Flacius‘ Catalogus und die Texte Georg Majors und Melanchthons) auf Latein. Sprachkenntnisse des Deutschen wie des Lateinischen helfen somit weiter, der Diskussion zu folgen und diese aktiv mitzugestalten. Zentrale lateinische Textpassagen werde ich zudem ins Englische übertragen. Eine entsprechende Bibliographie wird rechtzeitig zur Verfügung stehen.
Sprachen. Zunächst Deutsch, aber abhängig vom Kreis der Teilnehmenden wird das Seminar auf Englisch gegeben.
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The historical-theological seminar “Testes veritatis” focuses on the emergence and function of the concept of Protestant witnesses to the truth, which emerged from the Wittenberg Reformation.
The participants follow the development of the truth witness concept from its beginnings in Martin Luther's theology to the methodically differentiated version in Matthias Flacius' Catalogus testium veritatis (1556/1562).
Working groups assigned in advance of the congress deal with the development of the truth witness concept for Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Georg Major and Matthias Flacius. Each group works on a reformer and the corresponding key documents. In the joint seminar discussion, the lines will be brought together so that the theological and historiographical scope of this concept of Reformation self-historicization becomes clear. Based on the martyriological continuation of the concept by Ludwig Rabus and John Foxe as well as the Reformed transformation by Jean Crespin, the seminar also develops an outlook on the continuation of the truth witness concept in the history of Protestantism.
In addition to group work, individual presentations present the theologians under consideration in portraits, so that theological reflection on the truth witness concept can be meaningfully embedded in the biography of the respective theologian.
At the center of the historical-theological discussion of the truth witness concept of the Wittenberg Reformation is its theological and historiographical location. The seminar discusses the theses of my dissertation (Testes veritatis. Studies on the transformative development of the truth witness concept in the Wittenberg Reformation, Tübingen 2022), in which it is shown that the truth witness concept can be derived both historiographically and ecclesiologically. The discussions take place in the form of didactic role plays and simulated disputations in working groups and in plenary sessions.
In preparation for the seminar, it will be important to study the central source texts and secondary literature that will be made available in order to be able to have a fruitful discussion. Most of the source texts are written in Early New High German, but other central sources (such as Flacius' Catalogus and the texts of Georg Major and Melanchthon) are in Latin. Knowledge of German and Latin helps you to follow the discussion and to actively shape it. I will also translate key Latin text passages into English. A corresponding bibliography will be available in due course.
Languages: Initially German, but depending on the group of participants, the seminar will be given in English.
This seminar examines Luther’s disputations and their unique lens into Luther’s life, thought, and world. The seminar is built as a discussion based on primary source readings. Participants will select disputations to discuss and prepare brief position papers based on their selected disputation(s). They will then prepare for our time together by reading the disputations chosen by the group and the position papers of their peers. This will lead to an informed discussion at the Congress, where debate and conversation will probe the truth of various arguments, much like Luther’s disputations in the sixteenth century. The goal is to advance our knowledge of Luther and his world by attending to the disputations as under-utilized sources in Luther studies.
Luther’s disputations have grown in prominence among Luther researchers in recent years. After a time of neglect, scholars are increasingly finding that Luther’s disputations are a rich source for insights into understanding the reformer. Several aspects of Luther and his world emerge from attention to the disputations. Their rigorous rules and place in the medieval university afford scholars a glimpse into social structures, thought patterns, linguistic understandings, and shared assumptions in the sixteenth-century university. In Luther’s case, they show his approach to pedagogy, polemics, and probing the truth through rigorous testing of arguments. Luther’s pride in his skill at disputation shows one facet of his character, which can be traced through the record of his argumentation in the disputations. By showing Luther both discussing and using logic, philosophy, and language, the disputations are an especially rich resource for understanding Luther’s thought on these topics. And the corpus of disputations covers doctrines central to Luther’s theology: justification, sin, the law, the Trinity, the person of Christ, and the church, to name a few.
Participants are asked to identify one or more disputations of Luther for the group to read. Each participant will also write a brief position paper (roughly 10 pages) highlighting how the chosen disputation(s) sheds light on some aspect of Luther’s thought, life, social world, personality, etc. The working question is: what can we learn of Luther more clearly from the disputations (or this particular disputation) than from other sources?
Information on the disputations and position papers will be circulated prior to the Congress. Participants are asked to read all the disputations and positions papers beforehand, and come to Aarhus prepared to debate the issues raised by their peers and discuss the primary source texts. The goal is to bring to light neglected, forgotten, or previously unknown dimensions of Luther and his world through reading, writing, and discussion. While there will be no requirement to follow the rules of a medieval disputation, the seminar shares the same goal: to test arguments through conversation and debate.
Aug 2025 Assignment details sent to participants.
Feb 2026 Participants select disputations and provide abstract of position paper.
Apr 2026 Schedule of seminar set.
Jun 2026 Position papers due; position papers circulated to the group.
Aug 2026 Seminar discussions.
Language: English
Luther as Soul Care Giver
This seminar will explore Luther’s theology and practice as a soul care giver, providing a space for participants to share their own research and research interests and questions in the area. At each of the four sessions, one or more participants will be invited to share their current areas of exploration in the context of collaborative conversation. This will be coordinated ahead of time by the host, working with the participants registered to provide a basic plan for the four days which can be adjusted as the seminar progresses. Suggested topics of interest and conversation may include (but not be limited to):
Language: English
This seminar reads medieval and Reformation texts on iustitia / iustitia Dei. While most Reformation scholars have focused on the tradition of biblical commentaries and theological treatises, we are studying the philosophically inclined reception of Aristotle (especially Ethics V) and Anselm (e.g. Proslogion 9-11). Relevant scholastic authors include Thomas Aquinas (e.g. Super Sent. IV d. 46), John Duns Scotus (e.g. Ordinatio IV d. 46) and John Buridan (Ethics V, questions 1-5). Concerning Luther, passages from Lecture on Romans, Sermo de duplici iustitia, De servo arbitrio (e.g. WA 18, 767-772) and Galatians commentary are discussed. The participants will contribute short papers and their ideas regarding relevant sources and perspectives are most welcome.
Languages: English / German
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Das Seminar behandelt mittelalterliche und reformatorische Texte zur Frage der iustitia / iustitia Dei. Die bisherige Forschung hat überwiegend biblische Kommentare und dogmatische Abhandlungen untersucht. Wir konzentrieren uns auf die philosophische Rezeption von Aristoteles (Ethik V) und Anselm (z.B. Proslogion 9-11). Unter den scholastischen Autoren werden u.a. Thomas von Aquin (z.B. Super Sent. IV d. 46), Johannes Duns Scotus (z.B. Ordinatio IV d. 46) und Johannes Buridan (Ethik V, q.1-5) berücksichtigt. Auch Auszüge von Luthers Römerbriefvorlesung, De servo arbitrio (z.B. WA 18, 767-772) und Galaterbrief-Kommentar werden interpretiert. Die Teilnehmer können Kurzbeiträge präsentieren und ihre Vorschläge zu relevanten Texten und Perspektiven sind willkommen.
Sprachen: Englisch / Deutsch
Die verschiedenen religiösen Pluralisierungsprozesse der Reformationszeit lassen das 16. Jahrhundert als eine Phase verdichteter Identitätsbildung erscheinen. Nicht bloß die konfessionellen Großkirchen konturierten ihr Selbstverständnis und stärkten ihre Gruppenzugehörigkeit, indem sie sich beispielsweise auf bestimmte Glaubenssätze festlegten, in spezifischen Erzählmustern von ihren Ursprüngen erzählten und sich natürlich polemisch von konkurrierenden Glaubensrichtungen abgrenzten. Auch Außenseiter der Reformation wie die Täufer partizipierten an diesen Vorgängen. Die Tatsache, dass sie von ihren Gegnern als eine - wenn auch heterogene - Gruppe angesehen wurden, prägte und prägt ihre Wahrnehmung. Nimmt man jedoch die tatsächliche Vielfalt der reformatorischen Bewegungen ernst, die durch die Ablehnung der Kindertaufe als gemeinsames äußeres Merkmal geeint waren, und versteht man Identitätsbildung als vielstimmigen Diskurs, so wird unmittelbar deutlich, dass es angemessen ist, von täuferischen Identitäten im Plural zu sprechen.
In diesem Seminar wollen wir der Konstruktion täuferischer Identitäten im 16. Jahrhundert aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln nachgehen. Dabei können unterschiedliche Quellen wie beispielsweise Bekenntnisse, Protokolle von Religionsgesprächen oder persönliche Stellungnahmen, in denen Täufer über ihren Glauben Rechenschaft ablegten, sowie historiographische Zeugnisse daraufhin befragt werden, welche Rückschlüsse sie auf das jeweilige täuferische Selbstverständnis zulassen. Genuin täuferische Impulse sollen durch externe Zuschreibungen ergänzt werden, um Selbst- und Fremdwahrnehmung produktiv ins Gespräch zu bringen.
Die Auswahl der Quellen richtet sich nach den Interessen und Sprachkenntnissen der Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer. Das Seminar verbindet gemeinsame Quellenstudien und Diskussionen mit Referaten der Teilnehmer in deutscher oder englischer Sprache.
Sprachen: Deutsch / Englisch
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The various religious pluralization processes of the Reformation period make the 16th century appear to be a time of increased identity formation. It was not only the confessional major churches that outlined their self-image and strengthened their group affiliation, for example by committing themselves to certain beliefs, recounting their origins in specific narrative patterns and, of course, polemically distinguishing themselves from competing faiths. Outsiders to the Reformation, such as the Anabaptists, also participated in these processes. The fact that they were seen by their opponents as one - admittedly heterogeneous - group shaped and continues to shape their perception. However, if one takes seriously the actual diversity of the Reformation movements, which were united by the rejection of infant baptism as a common external characteristic, and if one understands identity formation as a polyphonic discourse, it becomes immediately clear that it is appropriate to speak of Anabaptist identities in the plural.
In this seminar, we want to examine the construction of Anabaptist identities in the 16th century from different perspectives. Various sources such as confessions, records of religious conversations or personal statements in which Anabaptists report on their faith, as well as historiographical accounts, can be examined to see what conclusions they allow us to draw about the particular Anabaptist self-image. Genuinely Anabaptist impulses are to be complemented by external attributions in order to bring self-perception and external perception into productive discussion.
The selection of sources will be based on the interests and language skills of the participants. The seminar combines joint source studies and discussions with papers presented by the participants in German or English.
Languages: German / English
This seminar explores Luther’s notion of faith as trust as a key to grasping his understanding of both the God-human relationship and hierarchic relationships between human beings. Throughout his works, Luther explains sin as mistrust in God’s Word and faith as trust, employing the Latin term fiducia and the German terms Zuversicht and Vertrauen. Hence, for instance in the exposition of the first commandment in Der groβe Katechismus (1529), trust is central to his definition of what it means to have a God: ˮEin Gott heisset das, dazu man sich versehen sol alles guten und zuflucht haben ynn allen noeten. Also das ein Gott haben nichts anders ist den yhm von hertzen trawen und gleubenˮ (WA 30 I, 132,1). This perception of the God-human relationship shapes Luther’s understanding of proper social relationships between subjects and superiors as – ideally – characterized by caring and obedient trust.
Moreover, the seminar examines how Luther’s emphasis on trust with regard to the individual’s relationship with God and authority has influenced Scandinavian Lutheran theology. For instance, the influential Danish theologian N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872) mentions loving trust as the “hereditary characteristic of all Danes”, and K.E. Løgstrup (1905-1981), a philosopher of religion at Aarhus University, explains trust as a law of life and, later, as a sovereign life utterance, propounding a Lutheran creation theology.
As a further perspective, the seminar touches on the societal impact of this Lutheran obsession with trust on the Scandinavian countries, which became mono-confessional Lutheran states after the Reformation. Lutheran notions of e.g. trustworthy authority, the common priesthood of all believers, and society as a communion of sinners influenced the development of a distinct Scandinavian trust culture.
The seminar depends on active participation by the participants, who are expected to present a paper related to the main topic of trust in Luther’s and/or (Scandinavian) Lutheran theology and to read and comment on papers by other participants. Please submit papers to the seminar leader by the 31st of March 2026.
Language: English.
In this seminar we will explore the alternative Luther, i.e. approaches to Luther often underrepresented by Luther scholars. By way of an interactive and dynamic approach we will search out how Luther and his theology can function as an example or impediment of the subaltern (Spivak), those who work for just systems and offer resistance to unjust systems that suppress people due to class, race, sex, ability, religion, culture and gender.
We invite Luther scholars from an array of contexts, methods, and perspectives (historical, theological, intersectional, etc.) to reflect on Luther's work and what could be relevant ways of addressing contemporary crises or contingent atrocities, such as “ethno-religious nationalism”, the pandemic Covid-19, ecological devastation and climate, economics or issues of human equity and justice. We invite scholars to reflect further in this regard and to present short papers.
Language: English
The concept of free will has long been a subject of philosophical, theological, and ethical inquiry, captivating the minds of scholars and theologians across centuries. Within the rich tapestry of Christian traditions, the Lutheran perspective offers a distinctive lens through which to examine the complexities of free will. Martin Luther and his colleagues articulated profound views on the nature of human agency and divine sovereignty, sparking enduring debates and reflections within Lutheran theology and beyond.
This seminar aims to delve into the intricate relationship between free will and the Lutheran tradition, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and scholarly exchange. By bringing together theologians, philosophers, historians, and scholars from related disciplines, we seek to explore the nuances, tensions, and implications inherent in Lutheran perspectives on free will.
Topics of Interest:
We invite papers and presentations that engage with, but are not limited to, the following themes:
Language: English
Theme: This seminar investigates the role of ‘dialogue’ for the development of the ‘relational ontology’ that has been identified in Martin Luther’s theology and the Lutheran tradition. Wilfried Joest’s seminal study Ontologie der Person bei Luther (1967) has been followed by a series of similar approaches, for instance Wilfried Härle’s monograph Menschsein in Beziehungen (2005) and, most recently, Eilert Herms’ weighty book Luthers Ontologie des Werdens (2023). Advocates of a ‘relational ontology’ typically regard relations as ontologically fundamental because the persons relating to each other are formed, or even constituted, by the relations in which they participate, and thus they cannot be understood as entities that would be ‘the same’ independent of their relations to other beings. While this view has become theological mainstream, it raises many questions.
Above all, it is necessary to discuss the ontological quality and status of the sphere ‘in-between’ self and other since this space determines us in our mutual relationships. Moreover, the relation between being (esse), becoming (fieri), and co-acting or collaborating (co-operari) needs to be clarified, both in regard to interhuman relationships and a fortiori the human God-relationship where the Holy Spirit is supposed to give us an “agential boost” (Carol Newsom, The Spirit within Me, 2021). As second-person interactions are directly perceived and reciprocated, they exert a strong formative and transformative power on those involved. This is also the case because dialogical encounters combine the view from inside with the view from outside. On these grounds, relational ontology discards the myth of an apparently self-sufficient subject that can define itself disregarding the dynamics of relationality and pluri-perspectivity.
Seminar topics: In accordance with the overarching conference theme, the following preliminary schedule for the seminar afternoons is suggested where we will compare Luther’s to Søren Kierkegaard’s and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s approaches to the topics in question:
Mon Relational ontology and the sphere ‘in-between’: Introduction, comparative source reading, and review of scholarly literature
Tue Prayer – a dialogue between God and human beings or an elevation of the heart to our divine counterpart?
Thurs The Holy Spirit, opus Dei and divine-human co-operatio: What is the relation between the spirit in which human beings live a ‘spiritual’ life and the spirit through which they can do so?
Fri Loving trust and hope for the future: Ways of being extra nos, transcending ourselves dialogically and connecting with what is greater than ourselves
Information on participants’ expected contribution: All participants are supposed to contribute actively to the seminar, either by preparing (1) an introduction into a primary source, i.e. a crucial text by Luther (including a handout with the main points and 3 questions to be discussed), or (2) a short presentation of recent research on one of the seminar topics by contrasting opposed scholarly approaches, or (3) a paper presenting their own research on a seminar topic, or (4) a report stating what we learned from our discussions at each seminar afternoon.
Participants signing up for option (1), (2) or (3) are invited to send max. 1 page with title, abstract, and important bibliographical references to their preferred source texts and scholarly literature to the seminar leader by August 15, 2025. Based on the participants’ interests, the program will then be finalized. The completed version of papers (max. 10 pages) and handouts must be submitted by June 15, 2026, so that an online compendium with sources, introductory comments, research papers and open questions for discussion can be provided well ahead of the conference.
Language: English
