German Radical Pietism - (Pietist and Wesleyan Studies) by Hans Schneider (Paperback)

About the Book

Pietism is increasingly recognized as the most important movement in Protestant Christianity since the Reformation of the sixteenth century. Simply put, early Protestant reformers were concerned with reforming the doctrine and beliefs of Christians whereas the Pietiest leaders...

Book Synopsis

Pietism is increasingly recognized as the most important movement in Protestant Christianity since the Reformation of the sixteenth century. Simply put, early Protestant reformers were concerned with reforming the doctrine and beliefs of Christians whereas the Pietiest leaders were concerned with reforming the lives and behavior of Christians. This, coupled with other disagreements, led to calls for separation, which in turn gave rise to the movement best described as radical Pietism. German Radical Pietism introduces the English reader to the research of the major contemporary scholar of radical Pietism, Hans Schneider. Originally appearing in the comprehensive study of the history of Pietism that appeared in the 1990s, Schneider's research considers historical treatment of the major figures, movements, and ideas of the radical wing of German Pietism in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. These developments are set in their historical and social contexts, thereby providing the first definitive treatment in English of this movement as a whole. Radical Pietism's seminal role in the emergence of modern religious communities_including Quakers, Brethren, and precursors of contemporary United Methodism, as well as a range of perfectionist communities in early American history_has only begun to be adequately assessed, and this study should be a critical resource in furthering that research. This work is one of the few studies available in English that addresses the important German historical work on Pietism from the late twentieth century. A definitive bibliography of recent research in radical Pietism is included to provide further reading on this important topic.

Review Quotes

"Gerald MacDonald has made a significant contribution to the study of Christian history." --Craig D. Atwood, Moravian Theological Seminary, Journal Of Moravian History

"This translation is a most welcome addition to the growing scholarly literature available in English on this important topic. For newcomers to the study of Pietism and for scholars interested in the Pietist roots of the Brethren, Quaker, and Methodisttraditions, the bibliography alone is worth the price of the book...." --Religious Studies Review

"Schneider (church history, U. of Marburg) tracks the development of German Pietism in the seventeenth century and its influence in the eighteenth on a number of leading thinkers in a range of reform movements within the Protestant contingent. He tracks pietism's geographical and theological shifts (his chapters on the Philadelphian movement in Germany are particularly interesting) and notes efforts at reconciliation with the mainstream, details splits and schisms, some of which depended on charismatic leaders, and describes new research that indicates there are two models of contemporary pietism based on the structures set by Hirsch and Schmidt." --Reference and Research Book News

"This translation is a most welcome addition to the growing scholarly literature available in English on this important topic.

For newcomers to the study of Pietism and for scholars interested in the Pietist roots of the Brethren, Quaker, and Methodist traditions, the bibliography alone is worth the price of the book." --Religious Studies Review

This translation is a most welcome addition to the growing scholarly literature available in English on this important topic. For newcomers to the study of Pietism and for scholars interested in the Pietist roots of the Brethren, Quaker, and Methodist traditions, the bibliography alone is worth the price of the book.

Gerald MacDonald has made a significant contribution to the study of Christian history.

Schneider (church history, U. of Marburg) tracks the development of German Pietism in the seventeenth century and its influence in the eighteenth on a number of leading thinkers in a range of reform movements within the Protestant contingent. He tracks pietism's geographical and theological shifts (his chapters on the Philadelphian movement in Germany are particularly interesting) and notes efforts at reconciliation with the mainstream, details splits and schisms, some of which depended on charismatic leaders, and describes new research that indicates there are two models of contemporary pietism based on the structures set by Hirsch and Schmidt.

About the Author

Hans Schneider is professor of church history at the University of Marburg, Germany.