Johann Christoph Blumhardt, Life and Work: A New Biography »

Johann Christoph Blumhardt (1805-1880) was a pastoral counselor and theologian of hope. His theology and pastoral approach, shaped as they were by the awakening in his congregation and numerous incidents of faith healing, provoked earnest and lively debate, and the controversy continues today. Ising's work mines the original sources, the product of an interaction with Blumhardt's life and work that goes back many years. He has drawn a portrait that explores the shadows as well as its bright side. Readers are invited to enter fully into the nineteenth century, Blumhardt's century, yet are constantly reminded that the problems of that day have lost none of their currency within the altered mental horizons of today.

List of Figures ix

Preface to the English Edition xi

Preface to the German Edition xv

1 Stuttgart (1805-1820) 1

Poverty and Trouble 1

Study of the Bible and Fellowship Groups 5

Primary School and Gymnasium 9

Confirmation and Landexamen 13

2 Schöet;ntal (1820-1824) 15

Life in the Lower Seminary 15

Curriculum 18

His Father's Death 22

The Hoffmann Family and Korntal 24

3 Tüet;bingen (1824-1829) 31

Life in the Stift 31

Studies 36

Friendship with Eduard Möet;rike 48

4 Düet;rrmenz (1829-1830) 59

Vicar in Parsonage Life and Congregation 59

Preacher, Teacher, and Spiritual Counselor 63

The Spirit World 67

Call to Basle 68

5 Basle (1830-1837) 71

In the Mission House 71

Blumhardt and the Christentumsgesellschaft 80

Catholicism, Enlightenment Theology and Liberation Movements 87

Blumhardt and World Mission 98

The Year 1836 101

Contact with the "Spirit World" 104

Engagement to Doris Köet;llner 106

The Basle Time and Its Lasting Effects 112

6 Iptingen (1837-1838) 116

In the Iptingen Parsonage 116

Blumhardt as Preacher, Teacher, and Spiritual Counselor 119

The Iptingen Separatists 124

Struggles 128

Appointment to Möet;ttlingen; Farewell to Iptingen 134

7 Möet;ttlingen (1838-1852) 140

The First Years in Möet;ttlingen 140

The Events Surrounding Gottliebin Dittus 162

The Awakening 188

The Awakening Spreads Healings 202

Life in the Möet;ttlingen Parsonage 219

The Theologian of Hope 228

The Signs of the Times 237

Poet and Composer of Spiritual Songs 249

Travels 258

Reactions to the Möet;ttlingen Events 262

The Search for a New Location 280

8 Bad Boll (1852-1880) 290

TheBeginnings of the Work in Bad Boll 290

Guests 300

Life in the Resort 310

Spiritual New Beginning 322

Healings 326

Dying in Bad Boll 339

The Great Hopes 344

Hope and Assaults on Hope 350

The Signs of the Times 357

Author, Poet, and Song writer 360

Travels 365

Blumhardt as Synod Delegate 374

The Blumhardt and Dittus/Broadersen Families in Bad Boll 376

The End of Blumhardt's Life 392

9 Summary and Prospects 399

Tradition and New Breakthrough. Blumhardt's Relationship to Pietism 399

Theology of the Expectation of the Kingdom of God 408

Proclamation in Expectation of the Kingdom of God 417

Pastoral Care in Expectation of the Kingdom of God 419

Johann Christoph Blumhardt, Curriculum Vitae 427

Glossary 429

Sources and Literature 433

Index of Names 455