This illustrated seminar traces the historical path of the Reformation in Germany, beginning at the universities of Erfurt and Wittenberg, where the Augustinian monk and bible professor Martin Luther (1483-1546) made the theological discoveries that would lead him to his assault on the Roman Catholic Church.

From there we visit Augsburg, Leipzig, and Worms, where Luther first confronted papal authorities; to Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, where Luther, in exile, translated the New Testament from Greek into German; and finally to Eisleben, where Luther was born and died.

9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Evangelism and Discontent: Luther in the Making

The theological discoveries of one Augustinian monk quickly became identified with the cause of the German nation.

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Fragile Alliances, Unbridgeable Divides

Excommunicated, Luther returned from his exile in Wartburg Castle to find many “reformations” under way, resulting in the first internal crisis of the Reformation.

12:30 to 2 p.m. Lunch

A catered buffet luncheon is served in the Embassy House.

2 to 3:15 p.m. The Word of God and the Invisible Church

The intensely visual German religious culture prompted German artists (inspired by the Italian Renaissance) to forge a new visual language of inspired classicism.

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Reformation Legacies

Between the Augsburg Confession of 1530 and his death in 1546, Luther struggled with the shortfalls of the Reformation.

Instructor Mitchell Merback is an associate professor of the history of art at Johns Hopkins University.

Reservations required; no tickets sold at the Embassy door.

Tickets and photo ID required for admission to Embassy. Business attire.