Experience the Reformation on a GTI Signature Study Tour to Germany and you'll see Scripture in a new light.
In the 16th century, Europe experienced the birth of the modern world and the modern church, known as the "Reformation," following the Renaissance. In 1517, a monk named Luther from a small university town asked questions that led to significant changes in the church and the rise of the evangelical Protestant movement.
We invite you to journey back in time to the medieval hamlet of Wittenberg, the renowned Castle church doors, and through the eastern and southern German countryside, as well as into Switzerland, the home of influential figures such as John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, and the Swiss reformed. As we follow in the footsteps of these Reformers and explore the old-world charm of Europe, we will reflect on the same questions that sparked their movement. These questions range from matters of authority ("Who is in charge?" "Who says?") to inquiries about how we are justified before God and the essence of the Christian life. Our travels from Wittenberg to Zurich and Geneva will reveal the diverse branches of the Protestant church and their connection to the present day.
Join us for a journey filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Germany and Switzerland, encompassing historical sites like the Berlin Wall and Neuschwanstein Castle, and the natural beauty of places such as Lake Constance in Switzerland. We will visit the residences and workplaces of the Reformers, but more importantly, we will bring our own faith to bear in the churches and streets where the gospel was rediscovered and proclaimed during the 16th century and beyond.
Important Disclaimer: European trips involve moderate walking, averaging 5-7 miles per day, and may include stairs at old castles and churches.
Dan van Voorhis is an author, historian, professor, and speaker at 1517. After receiving his Ph.D. in History from the University of St. Andrews, Dr. van Voorhis spent 11 years teaching history and political thought at Concordia University, Irvine. He is a Scholar-in-Residence at 1517 and the host of the daily podcast The Christian History Almanac. Dan is married to Beth Anne, and they have two sons, Coert and Raymond. While in graduate school Dan focused on Reformation era Germany and spent time living in Wittenberg and travelled throughout the country doing archival research while also taking in the historical sites related to the Reformation, the World Wars, and the Cold War. As a professor, German history was amongst his favorite classes to teach. He has led study abroad trips before and looks forward to experiencing these sites again with the group.
Each person will arrange their own flights to arrive in Berlin by September 7th.
Arrival throughout the day (GTI can assist with transfers if needed), dinner, and an orientation meeting with the group in the evening. Feel free to arrive early and explore all that Berlin has to offer. *The hotel will try to accommodate early check-in if available.
Today's theme is "Ideas Have Consequences." We will start our morning by walking to the site of the famous Nazi book burning in 1933. Then, we will continue our tour through the modern history of Germany and Europe by visiting the Brandenburg Gate and the site of Ronald Reagan's famous "Tear Down this Wall" speech. After that, we will walk to the Reichstag building and visit a memorial for the Berlin Wall. Following lunch, we will conclude our time in Berlin at the famous Olympic stadium, which debuted for the 1936 Olympics. Afterward, we will embark on a trip through the German countryside and travel back 500 years to Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Reformation. Dinner and overnight in Wittenberg.
Today, we will start our morning with devotions near the place where Martin Luther burnt the Papal Bull, the paper excommunicating him. Then, we will walk to the old Augustinian Monastery, which became the home of Martin and Katie Luther. Along the way, we will see the homes and workspaces of essential figures such as Philip Melanchthon and Lucas Cranach, without whom the Reformation could never have taken hold. We will also visit two churches in the city: St. Mary's Church, where Luther preached, and the castle church, which is central to the story of his 95 Theses. Afterward, we will travel to Luther's birthplace in Eisleben and see his late medieval hometown, his final resting place. We will visit the two city churches that were centers of Reformation activity. Finally, we will travel to Erfurt for dinner and an overnight stay.
This morning, we will walk to the Augustinian Monastery where Luther enrolled as a young monk after bargaining with God. After lunch and a visit to the Cathedral, we will leave for Eisenach and visit the Wartburg Castle, where Luther spent eight months on the run from the Emperor and translated the Bible. Dinner and overnight stay in Eisenach.
This morning, we will walk into town to see the Luther House and Museum, as well as St. George's Church where George Friedrich Handel, the composer of The Messiah, was baptized. After that, we will depart for Coburg to visit one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe and its extensive collection of Christian art. Finally, we will leave for Nuremberg, where we will enjoy the vibrant town square and see the birthplace of the famous Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. Dinner and overnight in Nuremberg.
In the morning, we will travel to Augsburg. In 1518, at St. Anna's Church, Luther met the papal legate, Cardinal Cajetan, who demanded that Luther submit to the pope. The city was also the site of the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, where the Augsburg Confession was presented. This document outlines the nature and teachings of Luther's theology. In the town hall, the Peace of Augsburg was signed in 1555, legalizing the Reformed/Lutheran faith practice in Germany. From Augsburg, we will travel to Füssen and visit the 19th-century Neuschwanstein Castle, built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Dinner and overnight in Füssen.
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Constance and board a ship at Lindau for our cruise along the borders of Germany and Switzerland. We will dock in Meersburg and then board our bus for Waldshut, where Balthasar Hubmaier was baptized and became a leader of the Anabaptist movement. We will have dinner and stay overnight in Zurich.
Today, we will study the life and ministry of Huldreich Zwingli, the Reformer of German-speaking Switzerland. We will start by visiting the Lindenhof to view the city and discuss Zurich's early history. Then, we will visit St. Peter's Church and the Grossmuenster Cathedral, both of which are crucial sites of the Reformation in Zurich. Additionally, we will see two Anabaptist sites, including the Felix Manz Memorial and the Grotto of Baeretswil, where early Anabaptists gathered for worship. During our visit, we will discuss the theological and social conflicts between the Anabaptists and Zwingli during the Reformation. The day will conclude with dinner and an overnight stay in Zurich.
Today, we will enjoy a beautiful drive through Switzerland. Our first stop will be Trachselwald Castle, where early Anabaptists were imprisoned. Afterward, we will head to Bern to tour the Old Town and Cathedral. We will have dinner and stay overnight in Bern.
After leaving Bern, we will travel to Geneva, the city known for John Calvin and the Reformation of French-speaking Switzerland. We will visit the International Museum of the Reformation and spend time in Saint Peter's Cathedral, where Calvin preached. Additionally, we will view the archaeological site beneath the Cathedral. In the afternoon, we will visit the Reformation Wall to conclude our Reformation tour together. Dinner and overnight stay will be in Geneva.
This morning, we will bid farewell as we head to the airport for our flight home or on to our next European adventures.
We crafted this a ground-only study tour so you can tailor it to be the European trip of your dreams. Booking your flights to Germany allows you to fly from any airport with any airline and use points or frequent flyer mileage. Fly early, stay late, and explore other parts of Europe. Enjoy the amazing Reformation Study Tour with GTI in Germany and then have the flexibility to explore other beautiful locations. We are here to help you with suggestions if you need them, so give us a call.
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