Study of Pietism - Starting Next Sunday

Spener started Pietism with his little book.

Our adult study series on Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant has ended.

This Sunday will begin a series on The History and Influence of Pietism.

Lessons are being saved on Vimeo. Check the list in the left column.

I am going to publish my review of Schmidt's History of Pietism, which can be purchased at Northwestern Publishing House. Click here for the book. NPH seems to have the Hoenecke graphic where the Schmidt graphic should be. I am going to check that out. The picture reads "Evangelical Dogmatics I."

The Schmidt book is a tough one to read. Any intellectual history is going to be hard to follow, especially when events are so distant from us in time and culture. However, pastors and interested laity should give it a try.

The Lutheran bodies established in America were profoundly influenced by Pietism and still are. The Muhlenberg tradition (LCA, now ELCA) came from Halle University, the heart of Pietism. CFW Walther belonged to Pietist circles before he came over to America. The Swedes and Norwegians were Pietists. The Wisconsin Synod began as a unionistic, Pietistic sect. Hoenecke - one of their better theologians - was trained at Halle University, under Tholuck, an avowed Universalist.

Some of us are researching the history of Universal Objective Justification. Reformed doctrine and Pietism are the leading causes for UOJ being promoted by Walther, WELS, and the Little Sect on the Prairie.

The Shrinkers of WELS love UOJ, which excuses them from any doctrinal rigor. Everyone is already forgiven, so whatever they do to sign people up is justified by their profound concern for the lost (a core value in Pietism). Taking away trust in the Means of Grace - Pietism. Telling the laity they are responsible for evangelism - Pietism.

Let us pause for a moment and consider the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15, the Gospel lesson for those who do not follow the Roman lectionary. The shepherd looks for the lost sheep in that parable. He does not stay at home, drinking beer, creating a Vision Statement. Kent Hunter, that guru for all Lutherans, says, "Sheep have sheep. Shepherds to not have sheep." That is his lame justification for inserting the Fuller Pietistic agenda into Lutheran congregations. He is the Church Doctor but more of Kevorkian.

Joel Gerlach repeated the Pietistic Fuller mantra by saying the church must make disciples to make disciples to make disciples....

Pietists are unionistic.

Pietists despise the Sacraments and reject the efficacy of the Word.

Pietists have been polarizing and divisive by broadcasting how superior they are to everyone else.

Does anything sound like Church and Chicanery so far?

Like the Shrinkers in Missouri and the Little Sect?