June 2017
J.S. Bach’s Personal Bible and Reformation Era Rare Books to be at Concordia University Chicago in October as part of Reformation 500 Celebration
By Rev. Jeff Leininger
The three-volume Calov commentary-Bible traveled with the family as they moved to Frankenmuth, Michigan, and sat mostly unused in their attic, being passed down from generation to generation as a sort-of family heirloom.
It was in the 1930s that a cousin, a Lutheran pastor, happened to be staying at their farm house when he began turning the pages of the third volume, which was sitting on the coffee table. Almost immediately he noticed Bach’s signature, the now well-known monogram which employs the treble clef.
The signature and handwriting were authenticated and, to their shock and delight, the family found they had preserved one of the most significant windows into Bach’s Lutheran faith ever discovered.
While the Bach scholars of Germany lobbied for the Bible to be taken overseas for study, the Reischle family, fearful of the Nazi’s rise to power, gifted it instead to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
The Calov Bible (1681), or Bach Bible as it is commonly called, contains the great composer’s hand-written reflections, comments and insights on the scriptures, and as such serves as an invaluable commentary on Bach’s personal faith and the great Lutheran musical legacy we celebrate in 2017 as part of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
A volume of this unique treasure will be on display at Concordia University Chicago, in River Forest, Illinois, during October 2017—the last time this priceless item will ever travel from its home in the archives of Concordia Seminary, we are told.
In order to enhance this historic opportunity, Concordia has gathered the help of the best Reformation Libraries in the Midwest, creating a display of rare books which will “tell the story” during this 500th anniversary year through the four touchstones of theology, scripture, education, and the fine arts.
Beginning with the Guttenberg Bible (1455), the exhibit will chart an historic path through Erasmus’ Greek New Testament (1519), Luther’s seminal works of the 1520s, the Augsburg Confession (1531), the development of the English Bible in the 1530s, the Reformation’s spread to Europe and the new world, the Book of Concord (1580), and the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation.
Thirty-five 15th and 16th century authentic items will be on campus throughout October, accompanied by concerts, lectures and children’s educational programs.
At Concordia University Chicago, we believe these books have a story to tell. It is a story of God’s providence and grace in using Martin Luther to renew the Church and recover the Christian gospel for the world. It is also a story of incalcuable political, cultural and societal change well worth exploring and debating.
Schools and scholars, congregations and families all will find something meaningful and moving in viewing this display, as we together mark 500 years of “Enduring Faith, Abiding Grace, and Abounding Love.”
An exhibit opening and reception is planned for October 8. There also will be public viewing during the all-district October 28 Reformation 500 Family Celebration on campus, 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, Illinois.
Watch for more public dates and information on scheduling a visit at cuchicago.edu/reformation.