Abstract

The Dresdner Frauenkirche was dedicated on the Day of Reformation, 2005, with great attention from the public world. The Frauenkirche has obtained its symbolical importance from the contrast it embodies between destruction and reconstruction, a ruin and a magnificent building, war and peace. The challenge of preaching in this context is to help the Frauenkirche evolve as a symbol in the context of Christian faith. The essay asks a question that transcends this one, however: How can the preaching succeed in such a way that the church's public character will be realized as central to the basic design of the Protestant church service?