Issue 10 Pietism: A Much-Maligned Movement Re-Examined

What's inside

You’re Such a Pietist

Second phase of the Reformation?

the Editors

From the Publisher: A Much Maligned Movement Re-Examined

Overview of this issue on Pietism.

the Editors

Pietism: Did You Know?

Interesting facts about the Pietist movement.

the Editors

Overwhelmed as with a Stream of Joy: An Autobiography

Autobiographical extracts from a Pietist who led the way in social action.

Auguste Hermann Francke

Can These Bones Live?

A spiritual hunger grew in reaction to the coldness and formalism of the Protestant state churches. Drawing from diverse roots, Pietism emerged as a quest to apply Reformation doctrine to personal life.

F. Ernest Stoeffler. Ph.D.

Reborn in Order to Renew

The Pietists’ emphasis on the new birth and biblical authority had startling implications as to how one treated orphans, the lower classes and one’s opponents. Orthodoxy was not enough. A changed life was required.

John Weborg, Ph.D.

Christian History Chart: The Roots and Branches of Pietism

Experiencing the Christian Faith

the Editors

Moving on Many Fronts

Preaching, social concern, missions, ecumenicity were among the major emphases of Pietism.

Gary R. Sattler

The Flowering of Pietism in the Garden of America

Pietism provided the foundations for much of American religious structure.

Donald F. Durnbaugh

The Wissahickon Hermits

These musical Pietists migrated to America where they did works of mercy, teaching, attending the sick, and evangelizing.

Robert Borneman

From the Archives: True Christianity

Johann Arndt’s work is recognized as the first great literary expression of Pietism. In his True Christianity he lays the foundation for biblical faith and how the believer must experience the power of faith in a vivid Christian lifestyle.

Johann Arndt

From the Archives: The Pia Desideria (Pious Desires)

The Manifesto of Pietism.

Philip Jacob Spener

From the Archives: On Christian Perfection

To offset the decline in moral and spiritual values, Pietists sought to establish new standards of conduct and Christian discipline. Often these standards appeared to be perfectionistic and Pietists were criticized for this tendency. However, as this selection from A.H. Francke shows, Pietists also recognized human imperfections and thus strove for their ideals, fully aware that frailty and ignorance are a part of man’s struggle.

August Hermann Francke

From the Archives: Hymns

Pietist hymns express spiritual desires.

the Editors

From the Archives: Examining the Candidate

One of the immediate concerns of Henry M. Muhlenburg when he arrived in Pennsylvania in 1742 was the improvement of the quality of the clergy in the colonial Lutheran churches. To aid this process, Muhlenburg created a series of questions to examine candidates for the ordained ministry. While the author is concerned with loyalty to the historic Lutheran position, evidences are apparent of his “reverend fathers in Halle.”

Henry M. Muhlenburg

From the Archives: Pietism and its Formidable Critics

Pietism has had its severe critics right from its beginnings and continuously through its history.

the Editors

Pietism: Recommended Resources

More material to help you research pietists and Pietism.

the Editors
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