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Though relatively unknown in America, 19th-century theologian Blumhardt is widely recognized in his native Germany, in part because of Friedrich ZYndel's landmark biography--an account fascinating on a historical level, but also infused with enduring pastoral insights and spiritual wisdom.al wisdom.
About the author
Friedrich Zündel (1827-1891), a Swiss pastor, author, and essayist, is best known for his landmark biography of Johann Christoph Blumhardt, whom he knew well. First published in 1880, it has been re-issued dozens of times and remains in print. Zündel went on to write two other books in German,
Jesus (1884) and
In the Apostles' Time (1886).
Summary
The definitive biography of a renowned German pastor.
Though relatively unknown in America, Johann Christoph Blumhardt (1805-1880) is widely recognized in his native Germany, in part because of Friedrich Zündel's landmark biography. The terrifying battle between the spiritual forces of good and evil described here, and the awakening that followed, catapulted Blumhardt's parish into the public eye and still draws seekers to it. Zündel's account is fascinating on a historical level, but it is also infused with enduring pastoral insights and spiritual wisdom. Here is an almost unbelievable account of one person's faith in the inbreaking of God's kingdom and its victory over powers that bind and divide humanity.
Foreword
Major launch event for the Blumhardt Source Series at the 2019 conference of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature.
Feature in Plough Quarterly magazine, circulation 10,000.
Feature in Plough social and email promotions, combined reach approximately 100,000
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Still relevant for our time, Christoph Blumhardt was and is my spiritual father. I am extremely pleased that this series is coming to fruition. I congratulate the editors.--Jurgen Moltmann
An impressive effort of considerable value.--Bernard McGinn
Today's church is dying for examples for what it means to be faithful. It is, therefore, a great and good thing that the collected works of the Blumhardts will now be made available. The Blumhardts not only saw what a faithful church might look like, they exemplified it in their wide-ranging writings and work. This series is a boon to the church.--Stanley Hauerwas
This project is an important venture . . . It is hard to imagine a more influential team upon Barth than the Blumhardts. They gave Barth a great vision of a lively, intruding God. . . Jesus is Victor!--William Willimon
In plain and profound language, and rooted in their pastoral experience, the Blumhardts wrote with startling, deep conviction about the kingdom's social as well as its personal reality. Their words are all the more pertinent for us today. The Blumhardt Series is a major event for the witness and work of the church in the twenty-first century.--Rodney Clapp
Karl Barth once noted that German systematic theology missed out on the Blumhardts in a sleepy daze. One can only wonder how much was lost, including the vibrant spirituality, the progressive politics, and the strong sense of the reality of the work of God for which these men were known. Once again we need to be awakened from our slumbers, and the Blumhardts could be catalysts in this process, reminding us that theology and the church must be squarely located in the pressures and struggles of this world.--Jörg Rieger
