Enlightened Preaching

Merethe Roos, Ph.D. (2010) in Theology, MF Norwegian School of Theology, is Associate Professor and Head of research and master studies at Østfold University College, Norway.

• IntroductionWhy Balthasar Münter?Textual sources and theoretical perspectives1: Balthasar Münter – his life and work in CopenhagenWho was Balthasar Münter?Münter's writingsSaint-Petri Church2: Münter during the Høegh-Guldberg Government, 1772-84. Texts and contextsThe context of church policy: Høegh-Guldberg's understanding of the Bible as a normative textThe theological contextThe context of eighteenth century church serviceSermon ideals in Denmark-NorwayBalthasar Münter's texts.Geistliche Lieder 1772-74.Predigten über die gewöhnliche Sonntagsevangelien, 1778-84Anleitung zur Erkenntnis und Ausübung des christlichen Glaubens3: Analysis: Balthasar Münter and contemporary theological and cultural movements, 1772-84Münter's goal: DevotionMünter's neological inheritanceThe legacy of Copenhagen's circle of poets: the function of hymns in the church serviceMünter versus Bastholm: The sermon as rhetoricSummary: Balthasar Münter's preaching from 1772-844: Münter during the Bernstorff government, 1785-93: Texts and contextsThe political and societal frame: A new government - a new societyThe frame of church policy: Changes in the relationship between the state and the churchThe social context: German elite culture in Copenhagen – the salons of the German aristocracy and their esoteric interestsBalthasar Münter's textsOeffentliche Vorträge, 1785-935: Analysis: Balthasar Münter and contemporary theological and cultural movements, 1785-93Comparative perspectives on Münter's development: 1772-84 and 1785-93Münter during the Bernstorff era: Four aspects of theology, social life and literature6: Enlightened preaching - Balthasar Münter 1772-93Münter's intention in writingContributing to the EnlightenmentBibliographyAppendix 1: Pericopes in Predigten über die gewöhnlichen Sonntagsevangelien in Verbindung mit anderen SchriftenAppendix 2: Pericopes in Oeffentliche Vorträge über die Reden und Begebenheiten JesuIndex IntroductionWhy Balthasar Münter? The German theologian and pastor Balthasar Münter (1735-93) is known primarily for being the spiritual advisor of Johann Friedrich Struensee (1735-72) at the time when Struensee was sentenced to death for his illegitimate leadership of Denmark-Norway in 1772. Struensee came to power in 1770 and rapidly introduced radical reforms and liberal attitudes that were

„Die Arbeit leistet einen methodisch immer noch innovativen Zugang zur Interpretation aufgeklärter Predigt.“ Markus Wriedt, Frankfurt (Main), in: Theologische Literaturzeitung, Volume 143.9 (2018).