Reinhard Deichgräber
Nichts nimmt mir meinen Mut
Paul Gerhardt als Meister christlicher Lebenskunst
1. Edition 2006
160 pages
ISBN 978-3-525-63373-1
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
plus S&H
Book
Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676) wrote about 130 hymns. Undoubtedly their significance for the church is outstanding. It is Gerhardt’s objective to strengthen us, to raise our awareness and help us be more attentive, patient and hopeful – qualities most relevant existentially even today. The author sees in Paul Gerhardt a great teacher of Christian ars vivendi. He shows in what sense Gerhardt’s hymns can enlighten our everyday life. The 12 chapters of the book can be read as encouragements for 12 retreat days, they can also serve for any private meditation. They set out to help reach a certain spiritual state to which the individual headings point. Analysing Gerhardt’s hymns, seeing them in context and letting them touch our everyday lives, some people may sing his hymns more attentively in church through which they might gain in depth.