A Taste of College Life: Introductory Course on Religion Explores the Catholic Seminary in Marburg

On Tuesday evening, the students in the introductory religion course swapped the classroom for the lecture hall: As part of the student preparatory program, Bene Hohmann’s class visited the Catholic Theological Seminary at the University of Marburg.

The evening offered the Q1 students an exciting look behind the scenes of academic theology. After an initial orientation led by enthusiastic students who guided us through the building and told us about their daily life at the university, the main event of the visit began.

 

From the Biblical Fall to Modern Narcissism: Insights into Theology

The focus was on the lecture by PD Dr. Florian Klug, a professor of dogmatic theology in Marburg and Vienna. He spoke about a topic that is traditionally difficult to grasp: original sin.

Dr. Klug presented original sin not as a historical event, but as a theological attempt to interpret humanity’s inclination toward evil. The connection to the present day was particularly fascinating: Dr. Klug interpreted original sin as a kind of collective narcissism—the constant exaltation of one’s own ego as the cause of separation from goodness. The students took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions, which led to a lively and engaging discussion.

 

A resounding success and a taste of college life

The students were thrilled by this glimpse into university life. The evening was not only relevant in terms of content—it also fit perfectly with our Christology unit in Q1—but it also provided the young adults with valuable guidance.

Conclusion: An all-around successful evening that not only imparted knowledge but also—hopefully—sparked an interest in further academic education among the young adults!

Benedikt Hohmann