Pia DesideriaThis classic work, first published in 1675, inaugurated the movement in Germany called Pietism. In it a young pastor, born and raised during the devastating Thirty Years War, voiced a plea for reform of the church which made the author and his proposals famous. A lifelong friend of the philosopher Leibnitz, Spener was an important influence in the life of the next leader of German Pietism, August Herman Francke. He was also a sponsor at the baptism of Nicholas Zinzendorf, founder of the Moravian Church, whose members played a crucial role in the life of John Wesley. |
Contents
The Text of the Pia Desoderoa | 25 |
Salutation and Circumstances of Writing | 26 |
Conspectus of Corrupt Conditions in the Church | 35 |
Defects in Civil Authorities | 39 |
Defects in the Clergy | 40 |
Defects in the Common People | 53 |
Offenses Resulting from these Defects | 64 |
Proposals to Correct Conditions in the Church | 83 |
Exercise of the Spiritual Priesthood | 88 |
Practice vs Knowledge of Christianity | 91 |
Conduct of Religious Controversies | 93 |
Reform of School and Universities | 99 |
Preaching for Purposes of Edification | 111 |
Table of Contents of the Appendixes | 119 |
Index | 125 |
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Common terms and phrases
Abraham Calovius according Babel Balthasar become better Bible blessed C. F. W. Walther called Chris Christ Christian Christliche collegia pietatis condition confess congregation consistory controversies Dannhauer David Chytraeus dear desire diligently disputation divine doctrine edification edifying edition English translation especially Evangelical everything evil eyes father fervent Frankfurt fruit German God's godly gospel grace Grünberg hand hearers hearts Holy Spirit Jakob Jesus Jews Johann John Arndt knowledge Kurt Aland lament Latin learned live Lord Lord's Supper Luther Lutheran means ministers neighbor offense orthodoxist Paul persons Philip Jacob Spener Pia Desideria Pietism piety polemics postil practice prayer preachers preaching preface professor proposals Rappoltstein reform religion religious Roman rulers sainted Dr salvation scholastic Scriptures sermons seventeenth century sins spiritual priesthood Strasbourg Tauler teaching Theologia Germanica theologian things tians tion True Christianity true faith truth vols Wittenberg Word writings wrote zeal