Page - 68 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 04/02

Charivari or the Historicising of a Question | 67www.jrfm.eu 2018, 4/2, 67–79 Benedikt Bauer Bridal Mysticism, Virtual Marriage, and Masculinity in the Moravian Hymnbook Kleines Brüdergesangbuch ABSTRACT This article discusses the connections between virtual interaction, masculinity, and bridal mysticism in the Moravian hymnbook Kleines Brüdergesangbuch (1754). The mo- tifs inherent in the hymnbook are examined in light of its anthropological presenta- tions and perception of the divine, i.e. Jesus Christ, using mainly the ideas of virtual interaction (S. Knauss) and hegemonic masculinity (R. Connell). KEYWORDS Kleines Brüdergesangbuch, Moravian hymnbook, masculinity, bridal mysticism BIOGRAPHY Benedikt Bauer is research associate at the Chair of Reformation History and Recent Church History at the Ruhr-University of Bochum. His research focuses on gender con- structions and especially constructions of masculinities, Critical Men’s Studies in Reli- gion, mysticism and history of piety. Nowadays the Moravian church is commonly and primarily known for its daily watchwords, which continue to be used by a multitude of Christians around the globe. That this concept of an accompanying daily text originated in 1728 is less well known. Likewise, the origins, emergence, and evolution of the Moravian church in 18th century Germany and its specific religiosity as guided by Count Zinzendorf are not common knowledge beyond academic discourse, despite the presence of Moravian songs in contemporary hymnbooks like the Evan­ gelisches Gesangbuch, used by German-language congregations. Interestingly, several song texts still in use in the Evangelisches Gesangbuch have been only slightly changed since their original inclusion in Moravian hymnbooks like the Kleines Brüdergesangbuch. They therefore still contain a version, now slightly diffused, of the mystical motifs found in hymnbooks of the 18th century and in particular of the poetically highly productive period of the 1740s and 1750s. DOI: 10.25364/05.4:2018.2.5