Johann Arndt: A Prophet of Lutheran Pietism

by Daniel van Voorhis

Publisher:

1517 Publishing

, 2018

Overview

This is the story of the most significant devotional author of the seventeenth century in his first full English language biography. Using previously unknown letters as a few of the resources, this story aims to recreate the theological, sometimes magical, and social worlds of Johann Arndt. Arndt was regarded by his peers and successive generations as either the most significant Reformer since Luther, or an uneducated and dangerous element within the Lutheran church. Later commentators have given Arndt the credit, or blame, for the founding of the Pietist movement. Arndt was a central figure in the forging of various Lutheran “orthodoxies” of the early seventeenth century and thus the first generation to attempt an interpretation of the Lutheran Confessions of Faith. He is challenged by some on the conservative right for his mystical influences, but was a hero to orthodox Lutheran Johann Gerhard. He did more than found the pietist tradition (which he actually may or may not have); he also became the father of a Lutheran spiritual, maybe mystical tradition. While this movement would only last in more extreme forms of the Lutheran church, the argument from Arndt, Gerhard, and others was that this tradition was not in conflict with the teachings of the Lutheran Confessions. It’s a movement that almost was, and lives on in whispers in the church today.

Key Features

• Highlights the story of the most significant devotional author of the seventeenth century.
• Aims to recreate the theological, sometimes magical, and social worlds of Johann Arndt.
• Explains how he became the father of a Lutheran spiritual, maybe mystical tradition.

Product Details

• Title: Johann Arndt: A Prophet of Lutheran Pietism
• Author: Daniel van Voorhis
• Publisher: 1517 Publishing
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 214
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• ISBNs: 9781945978067, 1945978066
• Resource ID: LLS:JHNNRNDTLTHPTSM
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-13T21:46:00Z

About Daniel van Voorhis

Daniel van Voorhis is the co-host of the Virtue in the Wasteland podcast and an author and speaker at the 1517 legacy Project. After receiving his PhD in Modern history from the University of St. Andrews, Dr. van Voorhis spent 11 years teaching history and political science at Concordia University, Irvine and was most recently the Assistant Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. van Voorhis has published articles and chapters in books on subjects ranging from the Reformation to Modern American history. He speaks nationally in academic and general conference settings on topics from history, addiction, religion and politics.

He has been married to Beth Anne since 2001 and has 2 sons, Coert (2009) and Raymond (2012). He grew up in Irvine and moved back to Orange County in 2006. He is fanatical in his love of the Los Angeles Rams. He realizes that his emotional state in the fall rises and falls with the fortunes of the prodigal team come home. His depressive bouts over the past few years are certainly correlated with the team being statistically, the worst in the NFL.

He also has a cat that he named Waffles, immediately regretted, and has referred to as Kitty for almost 12 years.

His literary influences include Nathaniel Zuckerman, Jack Torrance and Voltaire. His musical influences include Cap’n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters and the Zack Attack.