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Lutheran orthodoxy remained strong though it faced both popular and theological challenges in the 18th Century. For many, the formal patterns of church life and worship did not satisfy personal spiritual needs. Philipp Jakob Spener’s Pia desideria (1675) remained an influential document that rejected traditional worship in favor of a strong personal faith and devotional life.
After Francke, the most important follower of Spener was Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf (1700-1760). He was a count who became a spiritual leader and attracted many followers. He ultimately led the Protestant group called Moravian Brethren. In practice, the Pietism that infiltrated Lutheran orthodoxy emphasized personal conversion and pious activity to the extent that these outweighed church loyalty. Preaching was seen as the focal point of worship. This emphasis seriously eroded the traditional duality of Word and Sacraments. In preaching, intellectual proclamation was thought to have less value than Bible study. Orthodox teaching, expressed in the texts of traditional chorales, was replaced by subjective hymns and simple songs of personal faith. For example, Zinzendorf composed about 2,000 songs, some more than 30 stanzas long. In them he voiced heartfelt, emotional expressions of individual faith. The more complicated organ and cantata music was rejected entirely or replaced by simple arias that voiced intense, individual reaction to Scriptural truths. Lutheran church leadership was expressed in orthodox or pietistic terms, depending on the inclination of local rulers. In addition, the early manifestations of secular rationalism and the Enlightenment weakened the strength of traditional Lutheran theology, church organization, and worship. Pietism also flourished in England in the shadow of the Anglican establishment. The great hymnwriter Isaac Watts (1674-1748); the founder of Methodism, John Wesley (1703-1791), and his brother Charles Wesley (1707-1788) fostered its concepts. The Wesleys wrote or translated many hymns in current use. In fact, Charles wrote more than 6,000 hymns.
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Spener’s
teachings, called Pietism, were institutionalized at the University of
Halle under August H. Francke (1692). He promoted charitable work and missionary outreach. The Pietism of Halle was especially powerful. Many future Lutheran pastors received their training at Halle. 