Jakob Spener (1635-1705) was a German theologian concerned for the renewal of the Lutheran Church of his day. He inaugurated a movement that came to be known as Pietism. Pietism in Lutheranism is one strand of what we might call Evangelicalism.
In Pia Dessideria, Spener begins with three characteristics that should be pursued by the Church. First, however, he says that the Church and individuals should pursue perfection, even if it is not attainable in this life. Second, he says that the Church should be free of offenses—it must reprove and, if necessary, remove those who are so afflicted. Third, the Church should be full of many fruits of the faith.
Spener then offers six suggestions for improving conditions in the Church. These are most relevant in our day as well.
1. Have a knowledge of the Scriptures (ch. 12). ‘Where the Word of God is neglected, real and true religion collapses. Where this collapses, no one can or will be saved.’ Preaching based on the reading of a passage of Scripture is inadequate for believers to know the Scriptures. The Bible should be in every home. The father should read it every day, people should read it privately, it should be read to one another without commentary, and meetings should be held where Scripture is read, taught, and discussed. Colossians 3.16 says, ‘Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom....’ The Scriptures should be read, meditated on, and discussed (Psalm 1.2). Papal politics kept people in ignorance of the Scriptures and controlled their consciences, and one of the ‘major purposes of the Reformation was to restore to the people the Word of God’.
2. Practice the priesthood of all believers. All believers should ‘occupy themselves with the Word of God, pray, study, teach, admonish, comfort, chastise,’ etc. The people should also admonish the minister when he neglects something and support him in his efforts.
3. Instruct people in the faith and in practice. Not just a knowledge of Christian faith but also its practice is necessary. People should fervently love one another, for from love flows all the other commandments (Romans 13.9).
4. Take care how we engage in religious controversies before unbelievers and false believers. (Note: Spener wrote after the religious controversies of the Thirty Years War in Europe.)
5. Since faults in pastors cause so much harm, we must have pastors who are themselves actually Christians and who are capable of guiding others in the way of the Lord.
6. While training for ministry, students should gain some experience in it, such as in instructing others and visiting the sick.
I will conclude by rephrasing these six proposals for Church renewal and vitality:
1. The Church is a people constituted by the Word of God: knowing it, preaching it with expository sermons (teaching), reading it in family devotions, meeting around it for study, and admonishing one another with it. The Bible is the essential nourishment of a living Church.
2. The Church is a community of people ministering to one another, not just a worship service, and not passive spectators of a worship service.
3. The Church is a people that both believes and practices the faith in life together.
4. The Church should demonstrate Christian piety in the midst of worldly controversy.
5. The Church should have pastors who are devoted Christians and who are capable of teaching others the way of the Lord.
6. The Church should train its ministers not only in theology but also in ministerial practices.
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