the Tenth Annual RefoRC Conference on Early Modern Christianity
The European reformations meant major changes in theology, religion, and everyday life. Some changes were immediate and visible in a number of countries: monasteries were dissolved, new liturgies were introduced, and married pastors were ordained, other more hidden. Theologically, as well as practically the position of the church in the society changed dramatically, but differently according to confession and political differences.
The influences of the theological, liturgical and organizational changes on everyday life have been studied from various perspectives, but often focusing on social disciplining, political levels and similarities across Europe more than differences between confessions. New theoretical positions within various fields as well as strong interdisciplinary approaches have made it timely to revisit the large questions of how the changes brought by the reformation within all confessional cultures throughout Europe influenced the everyday life of ordinary people within the church and within society.
The aim of this conference is to discuss how lived religion and everyday life and space were formed in the aftermath of the reformation, and how we can trace changes in material culture, in emotions, in social structures, in culture, which may be linked to the reformation and the development of confessional cultures.
A special strand in the paper program will concentrate on authorities and social responsibilities in church, household, and state. This strand will be organised by Associate Professor Nina Javette Koefoed as part of the research project ”Lutheranism and societal development in Denmark” funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. Comparative perspectives are welcomed also within this strand.
Topic Plenary Lectures
Reformation and everyday life
Plenary Speakers
- Martin Berntson,Göteborg University: Reformation and Resistance in Everyday Life and Piety.
- Bridget M. Heal, St. Andrews: Everyday Lutheranism During the Thirty Years War.
- Peter Marshall, University of Warwick: Everyday Life and Religious Discretion in Reformation England.
- Thomas Kaufmann, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen: Early Confessional Culture and Everyday Life.
- Lee Palmer Wandel, University of Wisconsin, Madison: The Reformation of Time.
- Kirsi Stjerna, California Lutheran University: Reformation and Women.