Kresta in the Afternoon – March 23, 2023 – Hour 1

Author: Bryant Schoenle Published on: March 23, 2023 Published in: Al Kresta

Bach was a musical genius, but why do so many scholars overlook his personal faith? Michael Marissen joins us, and Peggy Stanton helps us to prepare this Sunday’s Gospel – the raising of Lazarus.

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Bach was a devout Christian – Why do scholars overlook that?

Born March 31, 1685, Johann Sebastian Bach is remembered as a titan of the Baroque period and one of history’s great musical geniuses. He did not often speak of his personal life, so some contemporary scholars have concluded he did not have much interest in religion. But these scholars overlook one key source – his personal Study Bible that was filled with his personal notes and annotations. We talk more about it with Michael Marissen.

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Johann Sebastian Bach Was More Religious Than You Might Think

Singing the Word of God

Brilliant Bach

Michael Marissen is Emeritus Professor of Music at Swarthmore College. He has written several books on Bach and Handel including Bach & God and ¬The Social and Religious Designs of J.S. Bach’s Bradenburg Concertos. His newest book, Bach against Modernity, is due out next month.

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Lazarus and the Hope of the Resurrection

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus raises His friend Lazarus from the dead. We see from the Catechism that Jesus links faith in the resurrection to His own person – “I am the resurrection and the life.” Peggy Stanton joins us with more.