Faculty lecture explores the influence of printed manuals during the Reformation

MTSO Professor Jeffrey Jaynes will deliver a faculty lecture titled “Printing Beyond Propaganda: Publishing ‘Church Manuals’ in the Reformation Era” at 1 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Alford Centrum on the MTSO campus, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware.

Jaynes will explore the profound influence of printing on the Lutheran Reformation by considering the numerous pastoral aids that were produced. In particular, he will discuss the numerous Kirchenordnungen – church ordinances – that were issued for cities and states throughout the Lutheran territories of Germany. These documents not only served as clerical aids but established schools, designed approaches to community welfare and shaped the liturgical life of the Reformation era.

The lecture is part of a larger book project, “From Luther to Lutheranism: Architects of Church Order in 16th Century Northern Germany.” It reflects research Jaynes conducted in fall 2014 as the Cameron Faculty Fellow at the University of St Andrews Reformation Studies Institute in Scotland and in spring 2015 as a research fellow at the Herzog August Bibliothek, Wolfenbüttel, Germany.

Jaynes holds the Warner Chair of Church History at MTSO. His areas of expertise include the history of the Middle Ages and the Reformation Era; early modern cartography and maps; and the history of Christian spirituality.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio prepares leaders of many faith traditions for lives of lasting significance in service to the church and the world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, the school offers master’s degrees in counseling ministries, theological studies and practical theology, along with a Doctor of Ministry degree. 

CONTACT: Danny Russell, director of communications
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322