Elizabeth’s Reviews > Bach Among the Theologians > Status Update

Struggling with faith in an age of Rationalism and Aufklärung, "I believe, help my unbelief." BWV 109 "Ich glaube, lieber Herr, hilf meinem Unglauben"

I would have liked Pelikan to have shown what this meant for Bach. How did this tension play out in his faith (or personal life)? And how does his music for King Frederick show Bach's "brilliant rationality"? I'm not clear on the connection. Want more info.

Oh no, he’s over-simplifying, and it’s confusing! After spending most of Ch. 1 describing the church year, he’s now conflating it with the secular calendar. He describes sacred Christmas music for January 1st as for the New Year, but the church new year was Nov-Dec, and January 1 had been a separate religious festival back when New Year was in March. Bach’s music celebrated the feast of the circumcision, the 8th day.

Connecting Bach’s music to Luther’s “cristocentric existentialism.” Faith transcends despair. Joyful music even in a chorale about Anfechtung. Interesting observations.