International Congress for Luther Research
The International Congress for Luther Research is a series of congresses that has been taking place every 4 to 6 years since 1956 in different locations around the world and is dedicated to research into the life, theology and impact of Martin Luther .
The first congress brought together Protestant researchers from Europe and the USA to exchange knowledge and doctrinal opinions. Roman Catholic researchers have also been taking part in the congresses since 1966, and research groups have been formed on special issues since 1971. Later congresses dealt, for example, with Luther's relationship to Melanchton , his attitude towards mysticism , the veneration of saints, and modern and modern theology. According to Luther researcher Eric W. Gritsch , the congress has been devoted to "practically every topic in readings and seminars, with the exception of the question of Martin Luther and the Jews" since it was founded in 1956.
| year | Congress venue | theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Aarhus , Denmark | Luther research today |
| 1960 | Munster , Westphalia | Luther and Melanchthon |
| 1966 | Järvenpää , Sweden | Church, mysticism, sanctification and the natural in Luther |
| 1971 | St. Louis , Missouri | Luther and the dawn of modernity |
| 1977 | Lund , Sweden | Luther and the theology of the present |
| 1983 | Erfurt , German Democratic Republic | Martin Luther 1483–1983: Work and Effect |
| 1988 | Oslo , Norway | Luther's Theology as World Responsibility: Intentions and Effects |
| 1993 | Saint Paul , Minnesota | Liberation and Freedom: Martin Luther's Contribution |
| 1997 | Heidelberg , Germany | Belief and education |
| 2002 | Copenhagen , Denmark | Luther after 1530 - Theology, Church and Politics |
| 2007 | Capão da Canoa , Brazil | Luther's ethics: Christian life in ecclesia, oeconomia, politia |
| 2012 | Helsinki , Finland | Luther as a teacher and reformer at the university |
| 2017 | Wittenberg , Germany | on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation |
The Standing Committee of the Congress consists of Scott Hendrix (Chairman), Mary Jane Haemig , Robert Kolb (all USA), Albrecht Beutel , Michael Beyer , Volker Leppin (all Germany), Carl Axel Aurelius (Sweden), Antti Raunio (Finland), Anna Vind (Denmark) and Ricardo Rieth (Brazil).