Bach Among the Theologians

Front Cover
Wipf and Stock Publishers, Nov 6, 2003 - Religion - 172 pages
This superb and enduring contribution to the Johann Sebastian Bach tricentennial focuses on Bach's vocation as a musician of the church and on his work as a theologian. Although Bach is most often remembered for his music, Jaroslav Pelikan here reminds us of the message of Bach's works and of his understanding and devotion to his vocation within the church.

By relating Bach's work to the heritage of the Lutheran Reformation -- musical as well as theological -- Pelikan places Bach within the context of the theological currents of his time. Maintaining that the Reformation heritage provides the underlying thematic and religious inspiration for Bach's work, Pelikan delves into three main movements within Lutheran theology of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as a framework for understanding Bach. He also demonstrates how Bach's sacred music complements and illustrates these theological trends.

In the second portion of the book, Pelikan examines the theological motifs that are reflected in the texts Bach used and in the settings he provided for these texts. The author points to Bach's particular interest in the meaning of the cross, and to redemption and atonement through the death and resurrection of Christ. He notes the centrality of the 'Passions' in Bach's lifework and their importance for the history of the doctrine of atonement. 'Bach Among the Theologians' represents a unique inspirational complement to the many works that concentrate primarily on the composer's personal or secular life.
 

Contents

The Four Seasons of I S Bach
2
The Theological Context of Bachs Church Music
13
Rationalism and Aufkliirung in Bachs Career
29
Confessional Orthodoxy in Bachs Religion
42
Pietism Piety and Devotion in Bachs Cantatas
56
Some Theological Themes
73
Meditation on Human Redemption in
89
Christus Victor in the Saint john Passion
102
Aesthetics and Evangelical Catholicity in
116
Conclusion
125
Notes
141
Index
155
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About the author (2003)

Jaroslav Pelikan is Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University. He is also the author of 'Whose Bible Is It? A History of the Scriptures Through the Ages' and 'Credo: Historical and Theological Guide to Creeds and Confessions of Faith in the Christian Tradition'.

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