The essays in this volume demonstrate that Pietism was a movement of great depth and originality that was not merely concerned with the "pious soul and its God." Rather, Pietists were from the beginning concerned with issues of social and ecclesial reform, the nature of history and historical inquiry, the shape and purpose of theology and theological education, the missional task of the church, and social justice and political engagement. In addition, the essays collected here raise the question of the ongoing relevance of Pietism and the "pietist impulse" for contemporary problems and questions across disciplines and in the church at large. --from publisher description.