Melanchthon's correspondence, more and more of which has survived, provides comprehensive insights into his public and private life. The focus here is on the negotiations of the Schmalkaldic League with England and France, to which Melanchthon made a significant contribution as a theological consultant, and his single-handed efforts to promote a conservative church reform in France, efforts which were criticized at that time and which are still of ecumenical interest today.
»This is a fundamental contribution of reformation scholarship. With exemplary care and precision, Melanchthon's letters have now been made available for study and examination at the highest scholarly level. [...] It is hoped that the next generation of reformation and renaissance scholars will take the cue from such studies and will mine this gold-mine in a similar vein.« Sachiko Kusukawa, Church History and Religious Culture