Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
rhetoric, theology, Johann Sebastian Bach, St. John Passion
College
Fine Arts and Communications
Department
Music
Abstract
Johann Sebastian Bach was completely Lutheran in his world view, and Luther was thoroughly Augustinian both in his theology and theory of rhetoric. St. Augustine’s views on the purpose of rhetoric are exemplified in Bach’s St. John Passion. In On Christian Doctrine,1 St. Augustine outlines three elements of communicating the truth: docere (to teach), delectare (to please) and movere/flectere (to move). Bach employs all of these elements in his compositional practice.
Recommended Citation
Buchert, Rebecca C. and Siebach, James L.
(2014)
"Rhetoric and Theology in Bach’s St. John Passion,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 521.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/521