An Examination of the Pietistic Content of Johann Friedrich Stark's Tagliches Hand-Buch

Abstract

Luke Wolfgramm’s 1995 essay examines the Pietistic elements in Johann Friedrich Stark’s devotional classic, Tägliches Hand-Buch, in guten und bösen Tagen. While acknowledging Stark’s deep reverence for Scripture, his affirmation of infant baptism, and his practical, heartfelt devotional style, Wolfgramm critiques the work for its theological shortcomings. Stark often turns the sacraments into law, emphasizes sanctification over justification, and lacks a clear presentation of Christ’s vicarious atonement. The essay identifies typical Pietistic errors such as demanding visible evidence of regeneration, confusing justification with sanctification, and limiting Christian freedom by denying adiaphora. Stark’s devotions, though pastorally sensitive and spiritually earnest, tend to downplay Sola Gratia and Sola Fide, offering moral exhortation more than gospel comfort. Wolfgramm concludes that while Stark’s work has devotional value, it ultimately fails to satisfy the spiritually thirsty soul in need of Christ’s saving work. —Abstract created by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)