Summer 1993

Volume VIII, Number 2

In This Issue

• J. S. Bach and Pietism Bach’s Career as a Church Musician: Early Years by Don O Franklin

  My purpose, in this series of articles, is to examine Bach’s relationship to Pietism in light of the new research that has been carried out in theological circles over the past two decades. Many church historians, including Peter Erb, Ernest Stoeffler, and Dale Brown, no longer describe Pietism as a separatist movement that sprang to life at the end of the seventeenth century and quickly spread throughout northern Europe, eventually reaching America. Rather, they argue, it needs to be seen as the outgrowth of a reform movement that began shortly after the Reformation and continued well into the nineteenth century. In response to this more comprehensive — some call it revisionist — view of Pietism, music historians have begun to reevaluate and reinterpret the movement’s influence on church music. In the case of J. S. Bach (1685-1750), a reappraisal is important not only because of his stature as a composer, but also because he was active as a church musician during the period in which Pietism reached its peak in Germany.

• Waldenstrom's Commentary John 21:1-14 And Waldenstrom’s Commentary translated by Tommy Carlson

  Gospel Lesson for Pietisten Boating Issue

• Books From Eagle Lake (or, perhaps, Lake Wobegon): Some Comments about WLT: A Radio Romance, by Garrison Keillor reviewed by John Trentman

  Early reviewers of Garrison Keillor's novel WLT: A Radio Romance remarked that some admirers of A Prairie Home Companion and Lake Wobegon stories might be surprised, or even shocked, by this novel.

• Jacob’s Ordination by David C. Bjorkquist

  While on sabbatical in Tanzania, we experienced the privilege of participating in the ordination of Jacob to the Christian ministry. Jacob was ordained in his home congregation in the village of Bonga.

• The Call of Wind and Water by Mark S. Olson

  I was four or five years old. The X boat was heeling up in a brisk wind and heading in the opposite direction from our Minnesota cabin, which faced east in the bay along what was known as Bay Lake Shores.

• Laughing Up A Storm by Arthur W. Anderson

  Sitting down to write on a budding idea can be perilous at times. For me this becomes a sure invitation to the phone to start ringing with no one else to answer it. In fact, I was just going to say a few things about storms when it rang — an impish sort of ring. “Hello. This is. ...” followed by the despairing words, “Life doesn’t seem to make sense anymore.”

• Therapeutic Theological Thought by Penrod

  Do you know your own strength?

• Thank You, Mister Hangus by Ed Mampel

  One November morning in Chicago, when I was staying with my brother Don and his family in an apartment above a saloon called Broadway Joe's, I woke up and said, "Out there, somewhere, there is a story; I will go and see what it is."

• The Glory Road by Bob Bach

  America recently celebrated the 66th anniversary of Route 66. This old "two laner" stretched from Chicago to California, threading its way across eight states and three time zones.

• Charge to the Class of 1993 by Zenos Hawkinson

  We congratulate you, College, Seminary, and pioneer MBA graduates on your safe arrival, at last, in this temporary harbor. You have sailed through fair weather and foul, high seas and flat calms.

• Poetry Good Reverend Ray by Arthur Mampel

  From hallowed halls to city street Young Cleric made his way; He knew in time that he would meet The brighter, better day

• “Billy Goat Talk” by O. Pierre Lee

  “Good morning. Do you believe in Jesus?” It was not long after our fourteen-foot flood. I was sitting in Hardees at a booth tucked away in a far corner, hoping to eat breakfast and read the morning paper in relative quietness.

• God's Pocket and the Woolly Mammoth by Michael Groh

  Our group of seven sees the Grand Wash Cliffs miles and hours before we get close to them. Such are the dynamics of light, air quality, and grandeur supporting our boat trip. Western light reflects tan and pink on the gray-green-white cliffs and highlights their two-tiered structure. As the easterly movement of our boats creates new visual angles, the colorful images of the cliffs are mirrored on the water's surface.

• Out and About

  When a long-time reader and supporter of Pietisten invited me to join him at a local University of Chicago gathering to hear Martin Marty talk about Fundamentalism, I accepted gladly.

• Post: Readers Respond

  The Number 4 issue of Volume VII of Pietisten was just given to me and prompts me to no longer postpone subscribing to your enlightening publication.

• Poetry A Meditation in Doggerel by Douglas Cedarleaf

  I wonder as I ponder on love and on law How each mighty concept has tended to draw The ardor of Christians who loudly declare That one with the other just never may share.