Decadent Pietism

April 21, 2006 · Filed Under theology

“Decadent Pietism”

What a wonderfully evocative phrase.

It comes via a solid essay/paper from the Rev. Dr. John Pless — Liturgy and Pietism: Then and Now. Here’s an excerpt to whet your appetite:

Gerhard Forde has coined the term “decadent pietism” for the contemporary replacement of the pietism of Spener and Francke. Decadent pietism indulges the “felt needs” of the potential believer, offering a cafeteria of religious options, encouraging imagination and creativity in preaching. Sermons must be practical, offering solutions for the problems of daily life. While the sermons of classical pietism at least dealt with issues of sin and grace, the sermons of the decadent pietists are shaped by therapeutic concerns. Self-realization replaces salvation and right feelings overshadow right doctrine.

In “decadent pietism” religion has become more about the therapeutic than the salvific. Satan, no doubt, is cackling with glee…

-ghp

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Tags: feelings, heterodoxy, pietism, theology