As early as the Reformation era, there were passionate debates over whether a Christian could be a soldier. Numerous texts from the Early Modern period attest to this. War is also a recurring theme in letters. The question of how to evaluate participation in war is discussed alongside many other issues. The suffering caused by war is addressed, as is the question of proper conduct during wartime. But who was debating whom on the controversial question of whether a Christian may be a soldier? What arguments were put forward for and against this position?

About the Author: Prof. Dr. Christoph Strohm was a professor of Reformation History and Modern Church History at Heidelberg University from 2006 to 2024. He is the director of the project “Theological Correspondence in the Southwest of the Empire in the Early Modern Period (1550–1620)” at the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, of which he has been a full member since .

About the lecture series: since over 20 yearssince , this public lecture series has been taking place, featuring scholars from the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities well Academy of Sciences and Humanities from its seven sister academies. The lectures are aimed at a broad audience and are designed to provide insights into the researchers’ work. Afterward, attendees will have the opportunity to chat with the scholars over pretzels and wine in the Academy’s courtyard garden.

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