Presenting a number of sensational theses, the first publications on the role of the churches in the GDR emphasized the conformance particularly of the Protestant church. Only gradually did micro-analytical studies lead to a more balanced assessment. The hierarchically structured Catholic minority church was to a large degree politically abstinent. This facilitated the rapid appearance of well-researched, comprehensive accounts at least for the period until the construction of the wall. Later this was followed by complex views from within. The church history of the Federal Republic was explored more thoroughly only after the turn of the century, resorting to of methods adopted from sociology and cultural history, among others. Topics of particular interest included the loss of social significance and the interior pluralization. The highly specialized research on the history of the churches under the National Socialist regime was continued, particular emphasis being given to hitherto neglected aspects. In this context the reception - which is always also politically motivated - of church history in the National Socialist era became itself the controversially discussed focus of church historical research.

Enthalten in:
Theologische Literaturzeitung; 2013/7/8 Monatsschrift für das gesamte Gebiet der Theologie und Religionswissenschaft (2013)

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Serie / Reihe: Theologische Literaturzeitung

Personen: Schneider, Thomas Martin Seiler, Jörg

Schlagwörter: Zeitgeschichte Kirchengeschichte Nationalsozialismus Deutsche Demokratische Republik Forschung Deutschland (Bundesrepublik)