Johann Arndt

Johann Arndt (1555–1621) was a German Lutheran theologian and devotional writer. Born in Ballenstedt in Anhalt, he studied medicine before turning to theology, and served as pastor in Badeborn, Quedlinburg, Brunswick and Eisleben, then as general superintendent of the duchy of Lüneburg at Celle. Distressed by the dry doctrinal disputes of his church, he called for a living faith shown in repentance and holiness. His True Christianity, published in four books between 1605 and 1610, and his prayer book The Little Garden of Paradise were reprinted for centuries and prepared the way for German Pietism, though critics accused him of mysticism.