The Advent of Lutheran Pietism

Exploring Pietism as an Intermediary for Lutheran‐Pentecostal Dialogue

“…At the same time, the biblicism of the Pietists should be juxtaposed with what they saw as the academic logomachy of Protestant orthodox theologians. 29 Their denunciation of empty scholarly logic reflects Luther's own renowned assertion that "reason is the devil's whore." Within Pietism, therefore, the authority of the Bible arose from a personal, experiential knowledge; assurance came from interior verification rather educated argument.…”

“…While at times the call to praxis pietatis carried perfectionistic overtones, it also stirred many to devotional exercises and missional outreach. 38 Like their theological predecessors in the Pietist-influenced Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, Pentecostals also embraced practical holiness as a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Many Pentecostals fretted about the "worldly" society in which they lived and worked, and responded by embracing strict codes for holy living-refraining from dancing, drinking, going to movies, playing cards, etc., and adopting Bible reading, evangelism, caring for the poor, etc.…”

The ‘Evangelical’ Heart of Pietist Anthony William Boehm

“…Stoeffler, by comparison, lays stress on the inward, personal nature of one's relationship to God. 32 Rejecting scholastic, doctrinal definitions and any tinge of religious formalism, Pietists insisted on 'a radical inward renewal of the individual'. 33 By training and conviction, Boehm was a Lutheran Pietist, who incorporated into his sermons and publications references to law-gospel, justification by faith, and other characteristically Lutheran tenets; however, Boehm did not use these theological terms or categories with precision.…”

“…For Stoeffler, Pietists were religious idealists who disliked any accommodation to the religious status quo. 52 Justification by faith had to bring about praxis. While Pietism has been misrepresented as interior and subjective, at the very least it was also missional, especially as evidenced in the wide-ranging enterprises of Francke and Halle.…”

“…71 Stoeffler emphasizes that the Pietist use of the Bible stood in contrast to that of Protestant orthodox theologians, who had defined the essence of Christianity more in terms of the 'rational' than the biblical. 72 Three features mark Boehm's biblicism. First, he lifted up the centrality of Christ for grasping the meaning of Scripture: 'Since therefore Jesus Christ is the End and Scope of the divine Scriptures, all our Reading ought to be resolved into him, and into those Effects that proceed from a just Application of his Death and Merits.'…”