Volker Leppin

Volker Leppin is a Professor of Humanities at Yale Divinity School. Previously, he held the Chair in Church History at the University of Tübingen (2010–2021) and University of Jena (2000–2010). Educated at the University of Marburg, Heidelberg University, and the Theological Academic Year in Jerusalem program, he specializes in medieval and Reformation studies, emphasizing continuity between the medieval and Reformation eras. His research focuses on Christian mysticism, spirituality, and theological transformations.

Key academic roles include directing Tübingen’s Institute for Late Middle Ages and Reformation and membership in prestigious academies: Heidelberg’s Academy of Sciences, Saxonian Academy of Sciences, and the European Academy of Arts and Sciences (Salzburg). He has authored 20 monographs in German and English, including Martin Luther. A Late Medieval Life (2017) and Ruhen in Gott (2021), and edited/co-edited 67 books.

His research highlights the Reformation’s roots in medieval spirituality, arguing against its rupture narrative. Recent works like Sola (2024) and Ruhen in Gott explore Luther’s theology and mystical traditions. Over 400 articles and chapters reflect his broad engagement across medieval theology, mysticism, and Reformation polemics.

• Awards: Member of three European scholarly academies.
• Grants/Advising: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts.
• Labs/Teams: Former directorship of Tübingen’s Institute for Late Middle Ages and Reformation.