Protestantism between Cosmopolitism and Nationalism
Many Protestant churches are currently experiencing changes that deeply affect their self-understanding, social status and internal structure. Public discourses in Europe are shaped more and more by nationalist positions. This has an impact not only political debates of the respective societies; it also challenges the Protestant churches as agents in these societies. On the one hand, Protestant churches are rooted within their own historically and culturally moulded narratives. On the other hand public discourses in Europe are shaped more and more by nationalist positions. This has an impact not only on political debates of the respective societies; it also challenges the Protestant churches as agents in these societies. On the one hand, Protestant churches are rooted within their own historically and culturally moulded narratives. On the other hand, as Protestants they are part of a strong tradition (European Protestantism) and of worldwide Christianity. Which challenges arise for Protestant churches facing strengthening nationalisms? What significance do they attribute to their own national heritage concerning their Protestant identity?
In 7 lectures with different aspects of the topics, the Digital Academy 2021/22 was held from from November 2021 to February 2022. The FYTE 2021/22 was concluded by a conference from May 11th to 14th in Vienna. The results of the conference can be found here.