Reformation and cultural divergence

Martin Luther posted his theses in Wittenberg on 31 October 1517, setting in motion a major religious, political and economic North-South confrontation with an enduring impact in Europe and beyond.

DIIS participates 1-3 November as cooperation partner in the Aarhus University conference Rethink Reformation 2017. Lars Vissing, emeritus researcher at DIIS, will present his paper "Reformation and cultural divergence".

Five hundred years after the Reformation the Catholic Church confronts new challenges. Sectarianism has become an important and menacing factor. Out of the XVIth century heresies only reformatory currents such as those headed by Zwingli and Calvin are still deemed incompatible with the guiding principles of the Apostolic faith; and the Vatican position on Luther has evolved significantly.

Right around the corner lies the admission that Luther only did what Rome was not capable of doing - at that point in time. A late echo of the initial Luther conviction of being more catholic than Rome. In spite of this stance, and of a largely pacified situation between the apostolic and evangelical churches of Germany, the North/South field of contention remains. The short explanation is that this confrontation is less religious than secular and cultural, leaving its trail through History, including in contemporary goings-on of the European cooperation.

Hence the question mark with regard to Max Weber: is the North-South divide in Europe primarily the result of the economic, societal and political developments leading up to 1517, or is the Reformation just one actualization – among others - of an ancient, essentially cultural polarity?