Letters are an important, yet still underutilized and largely undigitized source for research into the early modern period. They discuss a wide variety of issues, such as how to transport books from A to B in the cheapest and safest way, or how Christians should behave in wartime. We learn that the question of whether a Christian could be a soldier was hotly debated during the Reformation. Who argued with whom on this issue? What arguments were put forward for and against?

About the author: Prof. Dr. Christoph Strohm was 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 2008.

About the lecture series: For over 20 years now, this public lecture series has been taking place, featuring presentations by 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 research being conducted. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to chat with the scholars over pretzels and wine in the Academy’s courtyard garden.

The series is held in cooperation with vhs Heidelberg.