Christian Union: The Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 42

the spiritual climate on campus
rich religious symbolism.
Not surprisingly, an inventory of
Bach’s personal library included some
of Luther’s tomes, miscellaneous man-
uscripts, and major texts by Lutheran
clergy, according to Christian History.
Given the historical significance
of the Reformation, churches, uni-
versities, and other institutions are
spotlighting the religious upheaval
that splintered 16 th -century Europe.
Of interest, modern observers also
credit Luther and other reformers for
their pioneering use of printing press-
es to spread religious fervor.
Columbia’s Burke Library at
Union Theological Seminary is pre-
paring for an exhibit on Luther that
will feature literary artifacts tied to
the Reformation. In a recent blog
describing her efforts to examine Co-
lumbia’s extensive collection of Luther
documents, a conservator marveled
at the treasure trove of insights tucked
inside the ancient materials.
“At nearly 500 years old, these
pamphlets bear witness to their past
use,” wrote Morgan Adams, a conser-
vator for Columbia’s Special Collec-
tions. “Extensive notes in the margins,
underlining, manicules, and comments
are the legacy of past readers. These
annotations form an added dimension
of interest for scholars today.”
Columbia plans to showcase the
Luther display during the autumn
semester in the Rare Book and Man-
uscript Library Chang Octagon Ex-
hibition Morgan Room. The
university’s concert in the spring paid
homage to the musical repercus-
sions of Luther’s theologies, which
echo centuries later in sanctuaries
across the world, mostly via the
breathtaking, divinely artistic chorales
of his best-known spiritual offspring.
In turn and with a nod to his Lu-
theran heritage, Bach once fittingly
noted, “Music is an agreeable harmo-
ny for the honor of God and the
permissible delights of the soul.” | cu
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c o l u m b ia ne w s - in - b r ie f
Gorsuch ’88
Confirmed
40
Neil Gorsuch, Columbia
’88 and Harvard Law ’91,
was confirmed as an Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court
of the United States on April
10. President Donald Trump,
(Wharton ’68) nominated
Gorsuch to succeed Anto