Pedagogy Of Religion As A Major Dimension Of Pastoral Care. Observations From The 16th Century Struggle For Educational Reform And Its Legacy For Today

When the author was asked to write a contribution for this Festschrift the author thought about the unique features of H.-G. Heimbrock as he has been displaying them in these last few years of teaching in Frankfurt where the author had the wonderful opportunity of cooperating as his colleague. Though not exactly working in the same fields of interest we found a large number of intertwined research areas, one of which is historical pedagogy. One of the main features of Heimbrock's work is certainly his broad education: not only holding a chair for practical theology including subjects such as homiletics and pastoral care but also the chair for the religious education, an interest the author shares. It is clear that Luther's educational program had many medieval precedents: reallocation of ecclesiastical resources, appeals to the responsibilities of secular authorities, and the rejection of a church monopoly over schooling.Keywords: Hans-Gunter Heimbrock; homiletics; Luther's educational program; pastoral care; pedagogy; religious education