"Global Histories" Lecture Series
“Global Histories” is a lecture series held several times a year at the Faculty of Theology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. The lectures are conducted in either English or German and are conveyed by the Chair of Religious Studies/Intercultural Theology and the Chair of Global History of Christianity and Orthodox Christian Studies.
Why “Global Histories”? In the context of this series, history is understood not as something distant or antiquated. Instead, history is seen as a string of specific contingent events situated in time and space, interpreted and conveyed through historiography. Historiography, in turn, is viewed as a function of the present, shaped by its categories, topics, and modes of representation. The title “Global Histories” reflects the multiplicity of contexts and perspectives, each rooted in local conditions yet interconnected through global entanglements.
The thematic focus of the series is shaped by the academic expertise of its organizers. “Global Histories: Lectures on Christianity and Religions” is further enriched by the complementary and innovative series “Perspectives on Christianity and Religions.” Together, these initiatives foster dialogue around dominant narratives and counter-narratives.
For further information, please contact the organizers, Prof. Dr. Daniel Cyranka and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Stanislau Paulau.
Winter Semester 2025/26
Global Histories. Perspectives on Christianity and Religions WiSe 2025/26
On Octobre 21st 2025, Prof. Dr. Harutyun Harutyunyan (Jerewan/Armenien) will present within the series „Global Histories. Perspectives on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "Christianity in the South Caucasus: Past and Present".
On Novembre 11th 2025, Dr. Philine Lewek (Erlangen) will present within the series „Global Histories. Perspectives on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "'Starkes Christentum' und neurechte polistische Theologien im globalen Kontext".
On Decembre 12th 2025, Dr. Caren Dreyer (Berlin) will present within the series „Global Histories. Perspectives on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "Die deutschen 'Turfan-Expeditionen' und die Religionen der Seidenstraße".
Lecture by Prof. Dr. Jörg Haustein
On January 15th 2026, Prof. Dr. Jörg Haustein (Cambridge/UK) will present within the series „Global Histories. Lectures on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "Missionaries, Socialism, and Ethnocentrism: Global Protestantism and Ethical Dilemmas in Revolutionary Ethiopia".
Summer Semester 2025
Presentation by Prof. Giovanni Maltese
On May 15th 2025, Prof. Dr. Giovanni Maltese (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg) presented within the series „Global Histories. Lectures on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "Globale Geschichten und Vergeschlechtlichung von Allgemeinbegriffen".
Presentation by Prof. Cristian Sonea and Prof. Paul Siladi
On May 8th 2025, Prof. Dr. Cristian Sonea and Prof. Dr. Paul Siladi (Babes-Bolyai-University Cluj-Napoca) presented within the series „Global Histories. Perspectives on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "A Secular Orthodoxy? Exploring the Religious Landscape of Romania".
The lecture critically examines the complex phenomenon of secularisation within Orthodox communities in Romania, reassessing prevailing narratives of religious decline or revival. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from theology, sociology, and history, the lecture investigates both external expressions—such as public religious symbolism, state funding, and church construction—and internal dynamics, including ritualism and spiritual disengagement. It reveals the paradoxical coexistence of overt religiosity and underlying secular tendencies, addressing phenomena like nationalist religiosity, compensatory practices, and the Church’s secular legitimization. The lecture argues that Romanian secularisation is not a mere import of Western paradigms and proposes a renewed eschatological and liturgical orientation as a way for Orthodox communities to engage with modernity while preserving their spiritual integrity.
Winter Semester 2024/2025
Presentation by Prof. Martin Illert
On January 9th 2025, Prof. Dr. Martin Illert presented within the series „Global Histories. Perspectives on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "1.700 Jahre Konzil von Nizäa: Episoden einer globalen Rezeptionsgeschichte".
Presentation by Prof. Julian Strube
On November 21st 2025, Prof. Dr. Julian Strube (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) presented within the series „Global Histories. Lectures on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "Religionsvergleich und Globale Religionsgeschichte".
Summer Semester 2024
Presentation by Prof. Klaus Koschorke
On April 25th 2025, Prof. em. Dr. Klaus Koschorke (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) presented within the series „Global Histories. Lectures on Christianity and Religions”, discussing the topic "Auf der Suche nach 'Christen und Gewürzen': Globale Perspektiven der Christentumsgeschichte 1450–2000".