The Institute for the Study of Christian Origins ( Das Institut zur Erforschung des Urchristentums ) was founded in Tübingen after World War II in this international academic community as a representative of the understanding of the Gospel as expressed by the Stone-Campbell movement. The Institute is supported by the European Evangelistic Society , Atlanta, GA.

The work of the Institute includes research and writing on the part of the director and others who are associated with its work. A small but highly specialized library makes possible research at the Institute. During the semester, the Institute offers a fortnightly Colloquium in conjunction with the Protestant Faculty of Theology at the University. This offers PhD students and visiting professors the opportunity to present portions of their dissertations or other "work in progress" for critique by fellow students and faculty. The Institute Director regularly teaches a “Theological German Readings” course for non-native speakers of German, as well as other courses. The Institute also offers a weekly English-language Vesper Service for international students and other interested persons.

The Institute for the Study of Christian Origins intends to be an academic resource for the international fellowship of churches of the Stone-Campbell tradition. This is done by encouraging doctoral students to study in Tübingen, by encouraging faculty from our colleges to visit and study there (e.g., while on sabbatical), by hosting “academic internships” for interested graduate students, and by encouraging international dialog between Stone-Campbell scholars and those from other traditions.

As part of the effort to provide academic resources, the European Evangelistic Society sponsors the Walker Lectureship each year at the North American Christian Convention, at the biennial Disciples of Christ General Assembly, and every four years at the World Convention of Christian Churches/Churches of Christ.

Tübingen

History of the Institute