Bach and Theology

Abstract

Amid a flourishing of interest in the theological dimensions of Bach’s output, relatively little attention has been paid to what the disciplines of biblical exegesis and systematic theology can bring to Bach studies. In the first part of the chapter, two major issues are examined: “anti-Judaism” in Bach, and his vision of time and eternity. Approaching the St. John Passion through close exegesis of John’s Gospel shows that Bach is a subtler and more independent figure than some current discussions of his alleged “anti-Judaism” imply. With regard to time and eternity, it is argued (against Karol Berger) that Bach displays a profound understanding of what a distinctively Christian metaphysics entails. The second part of the chapter asks what Bach might bring to the theologian. Two matters are considered—Bach’s creativity, and his layering of different theological lines—to show how his music can enable theology to be better attuned to its subject matter.