Bach Among the Theologians [Hardcover]

Jaroslav Jan Pelikan (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Pr (December 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800607929
• ISBN-13: 978-0800607920
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Lutheran

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shamefully out of print, July 21, 2002

By 

Charles S. Houser (Binghamton, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bach Among the Theologians (Hardcover)

Pelikan is a truly amazing and articulate thinker. He seems to intuitively know what is important--whether providing a theological overview of Chrisitan history or, as here, focusing in on a single subject. What I found especially refreshing in BACH AMONG THE THEOLOGIANS is Pelikan's appreciation of Bach as a highly creative man who was truly a man of his own time. He puts to rest (for me anyway) the somewhat artificial argument about the sacred and secular strains in Bach's work. This "tension" ultimately does not seem to have been as big a deal for Bach as it has become for modern historians, musicians, theologians, etc. Perhaps, because Bach's sense of the sacred was much more encompassing than we highly compartmentalized moderns ever allow it to be. In any case, the fact that so many highly divergent groups want to claim Bach as their own is probably sufficient proof of Bach's transcendant greatness.

This is a highly readable--though thoughtful and concentrated--book that deserves to be more broadly available. Perhaps some publisher will see fit to reissue it in paperback. I'd preorder a copy today if that was the case.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bach Among the Theologians, June 6, 2000

By 

Chelle Stearns (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach Among the Theologians (Hardcover)

I read this book (which I borrowed from the library) 4 years ago, and I am still looking for my own copy. It is an invaluable book for any Bach lover. Pelikan connects Bach musical interpretation of texts with the work of a theologian. His main thesis is that Bach was just as important of a theologian as he was a musician. Interesting reading. This is a 'must have' book!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bach Among the Theologians, October 8, 2003

By 

David F. Sczepanski (Eureka, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bach Among the Theologians (Hardcover)

Excellent in-depth survey of Bach's work in light of theological influences of his time. He wrote music, whether sacred or secular, in a vocation that was to the glory of God. (I am trying to secure reprint permission from Dr. Pelikan through Wipf & Stock publishers (Eugene, OR). If that happens it will be back in print. Otherwise, I have one lonely copy.) P.S. They allowed a small reprint. I have a few extra copies now.