Ordnungen für die Kirche - Wirkungen auf die Welt

Protestant church ordinances emerged in the 16th century against the background of the upheaval which the Reformation brought in its wake. They imposed new structures on the church by redefining offices, liturgy, preaching and teaching. Many ordinances went far beyond that, reaching into other areas of life which were likewise viewed as being governed by God. These regulations thus had an impact on public life in issues of welfare and social order and on the realm of household and family in questions concerning marriage and life together as a married couple. Church ordinances hence not only - as the definition may at first suggest - constituted regulations for the church, but rather also had a world- and society-shaping dimension. The contributions to this collection, which are based on Sehling's edited church ordinances, move between these two fundamental poles.