Lutheran Theology and Contract Law in Early Modern Germany (ca. 1520 – 1720)

This project analyzes the relationship between Protestant theology and contract law. The focus of the research is on Germany, England and the Netherlands during the 16th and 17th centuries. Previous studies have already examined the role played by canon law and Catholic moral theology in this field. However, what was the contribution of Protestant theologians to the law of contract? Moreover, was there any decisive interaction between forum internum and forum externum in the development of modern contract doctrine? Despite the apparent hostility, reformers adopted many of the canon law rules and Catholic moral teachings. Therefore, what was the impact of Protestant theology on them? How was the approach to the law of contract adopted by Lutherans and the other Reformers? Was it different? This study intends to answer these and other questions taking into account different sources: legal treatises, ethical writings, manuals of moral theology, collections of cases of conscience and collections of theological counsels.status: publishe