With Augustine, probably the most important church father of the early church, is the focus of interest. No figure had such authority throughout the Middle Ages, but also in modern times. This applies to such questions of sacramental and grace theology, historical theology, ecclesiology and anthropology as are extremely important for theology. Apparently no serious theologian could get past him. This applies all the more to the disputes during the Reformation. To put it bluntly, without Augustine the theologies of the Reformation would probably not exist. Every theologian referred to him - and yet this sometimes led to different theological perspectives. However, the subject of Augustine, which is documented and discussed in this anthology, stands in a broader context, on which a group of scholars, including Peter Walter, who died far too early, have been considering for a long time. These considerations were and are based on the observation, which can hardly be disputed, that research into early modern theological historiography is still shaped by the denominational interests and perspectives of the researchers. Of course, this circumstance contrasts with the fact that not only have similar debates and parallel developments occurred in all denominational theological knowledge cultures, but also with the fact that there have often been interactions or mutual influences. Therefore, a trans- and inter-confessional approach that explicitly takes these interferences into account promises methodological progress and new insights in terms of content.
