Abstract

In the beginning of the 1780 s the Berliner popular pastor und foremost Neologe Johann Joachim Spalding (17141804) was involved into a conflict which was about the implementation of a new hymnbook. Spalding defended this new hymnbook against all critics in his Predigt von dem, was erbaulich ist (1781). The analysis of this conflict can be seen as a contribution to a precise understanding of the controversities in the late enlightenment. Furthermore it shows how Spalding argued against his critics and how he tried to convince his congregation.