Pietisten

Summer 1990

Volume V, Number 2

In This Issue

Pietism: Private Faith and Public Witness by Sally A. Johnson

“Pietism is not privatism,” writes Peter Sandstrom in Pietisten (spring 1989), in “Spener’s Proposals, Part III.” Citing “the establishment of benevolent work” by early pietists and “the widespread development of active mission societies,” he says, “it is this emphasis upon practice that helps make pietism a ‘life movement.’”

Romans 5:6-8 with Comments by Rosenius and Luther

Verses 6-8: While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man- though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

Walker Percy by Phil Johnson

Walker Percy died today I hear. Oh no. Maybe it’s not true. If it is, no more of his great novels, no more of his interesting, penetrating, life-helping essays or whimsical writings. I wonder if he has written something not yet published. That would be great.

Tracing the Roots of a Denomination by Michael Hardin

If there is one thing we know about the modern world, it is this: what we know is always changing. As access to information increases, and as disciplines become more specialized, our general theories and paradigms are put to the acid test more frequently than we would like. The theories of history have been tested by more vigorous discipline. Newer, comparative methods of research have uncovered what historians of earlier periods could not have dreamed possible. The sources already available have not changed, but the integration of disciplines has brought about a change in our understanding of the sources.

Beautiful Christianity by Erik Hawkinson

Christian teachers throughout the centuries have recognized this as the classic text which portrays the beautiful Christianity. I need not tell you there is such a thing as beautiful Christianity. It is the Christianity that has, through the years, actually propagated itself and has had the power to carry the burdens of life. And whenever Christianity has ceased to become beautiful, it has always had a hard time.

The Lone Ranger Rides Again by Penrod

“I wonder who’s in church this morning?” he thought as he paid his fare. He looked around. There were only a few souls on board. He found a seat, pulled out The Moviegoer, and began reading.

Out and About by Phil Johnson

Chicago Weekend; Philosophy at North Park; Pastor Norbert Johnson’s Farewell; Wanderings; William Coffin at Plymouth Church; The Authorized Version—Northrup Frye; The Gospel of Mark; Epcot Center

Sport Report by Phil Johnson

Many persons want to play games but sometimes it takes a lot to keep a game alive. If you have tried to get a game going or keep one going, you know what I mean. It is not hard to keep highly organized games, like a high school basketball game, going after much work and planning have been done to provide for them. But less-structured games are often a challenge to get going and to keep alive because they depend upon the will and resources of the moment.

NBA—NFL All-Stars by Eric Ecklund-Johnson

Here are the NBA players I would like to see at these football positions

Passing It On by Arthur W. Anderson

A plaque bearing the hymn title showed up among the wedding gifts for a couple about to be married. It was a very informal wedding and the beaming bride, on the spur of the moment, asked the groom to sing it. So square in the middle of the ceremony, the obliging groom sang: “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.”

Post: Readers Respond

Requiem For A Heavyweight by Sandy Johnson

An hour’s time is all it took to shave half a century and more of life off the big elm in front of our house this morning.

Somebody’s Always Stealing Swede’s Shoes by Ed Mampel