Category: Christianity

World Vision logo

World Vision and Evangelicalism: An Interview with David King

April 3, 2014

Last week the U.S. chapter of the international Christian humanitarian organization World Vision made headlines: first when president Rich Stearns confirmed to Christianity Today last Monday that the organization would employ Christians in same-sex marriages, only to reverse the decision two days later, in the wake of torrents of criticism from conservatives, some of whom threatened to withdraw … More World Vision and Evangelicalism: An Interview with David King

Shantz, An Introduction to German Pietism

The Challenge of Introducing Pietism

April 2, 2014

In recent months I’ve been invited to review two books seeking to introduce English-speaking audiences to German Pietism: Douglas Shantz’s An Introduction to German Pietism: Protestant Renewal at the Dawn of Modern Europe (Johns Hopkins University Press, paperback $31.50 on Amazon), and Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom’s Angels, Worms, and Bogeys: The Christian Ethic of Pietism (Cascade Books, $15.20). While … More The Challenge of Introducing Pietism

Header for the Christ & University blog

Check Out the Christ and University Blog

April 1, 2014

One of the blessings of taking a two-week break from blogging myself is that it gave me time to catch up on some other blogs. One is Christ & University, a newer group blog that I’d particularly recommend to those who come to The Pietist Schoolman for reflections on the intersection of Christianity and education. Featuring a roster of scholars from … More Check Out the Christ and University Blog

Bowler, Blessed

The Prosperity Gospel and Historical Legitimacy

March 28, 2014

For those of us who are children of the 1980s, mention of the Prosperity Gospel conjures up images of fallen televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker or Protestant outlanders such as Benny Hinn. But in recent years, more marketable versions of health and wealth Christianity have been mainstreamed by preachers from Joyce Meyer to … More The Prosperity Gospel and Historical Legitimacy

Elving Anderson

RIP V. Elving Anderson, 1921-2014 (G.W. Carlson)

March 27, 2014

V. Elving Anderson died on March 9, 2014 after serving a distinguished career as educator and researcher. (See his obituary here.) He was born in 1921 in Stromsburg, Nebraska, into a family deeply rooted in the Swedish Baptist heritage. He attended Bethel Junior College (A.A. degree), studied at the Seminary, and then completed his B.A. … More RIP V. Elving Anderson, 1921-2014 (G.W. Carlson)

First page of the March 2014 issue of the Baptist Pietist Clarion

In the New Baptist Pietist Clarion: Pietism, Baptists, and Walter Rauschenbusch

March 13, 2014

The newest issue of The Baptist Pietist Clarion, an annual newsletter edited by my friend and occasional co-blogger G.W. Carlson, is now available in print and online. (For the former, I can put you in touch with GW. For the latter, click here.) Some highlights in a typically strong, wide-ranging issue: • Joel Lawrence reflects on … More In the New Baptist Pietist Clarion: Pietism, Baptists, and Walter Rauschenbusch

1942 recruiting poster for the U.S. Army

Best of The Pietist Schoolman: The Purpose of the Liberal Arts is Purpose

March 10, 2014

From January… Another metaphor for education, this one occurring to me in the midst of teaching my course on the international history of World War II. In its final episode, “A World Without War,” Ken Burns’ The War arrives at the Allied liberation of concentration camps in the Third Reich. This chapter is introduced by an … More Best of The Pietist Schoolman: The Purpose of the Liberal Arts is Purpose

Nancy as photographed for an April 1982 Clarion article

RIP Nancy Lundquist (1919-2014)

March 4, 2014

I was sorry to learn this morning that Nancy Lundquist died yesterday at the age of 94, having outlived her husband, long-serving (1954-1982) Bethel president Carl Lundquist, by twenty-three years. The two were partners in many respects, particularly in their shared commitment to spiritual disciplines, formation, and retreats. In the coming days, look for some lengthier comments … More RIP Nancy Lundquist (1919-2014)