History

Enlightenment theology developed in a wide personal and conceptual diversity. It found its organic center in the theological line of thought referred to as »neology.« Based on this guiding concept, the »Handbook of Neology« outlines the diversity of the theological Enlightenment, including its prerequisites, neighboring schools of thought and effects.

That the period between 1380 and 1520 did not see a late medieval setting of the sun on, but rather the dawn of a powerful new era of dynamic religion is the main thesis of Berndt Hamm's new volume presented here. Driven by a fearful anticipation of the afterlife and fuelled by a desire for grace and salvation, religion was propelled towards piety, theology, and pastoral care, which in turn gave rise to a surge in sacred artistic expression.

This volume examines ancient and early medieval libraries, handbooks, and encyclopedias as interrelated types of knowledge repositories by investigating their embeddedness in religious contexts and their religious functions or connotations. Selected case studies illuminate interactions between education and religion and sharpen the focus on how religion functions in ancient and medieval contexts.

Katharina Leusch examines the transition phase of the GDR in the autumn and winter of 1989/90 based on its law for political parties and the Central Round Table. However, the law did not become obsolete after the peaceful revolution but remained relevant for the work of an independent commission set up to investigate party assets and mass organisations.