Written by Ronald J. Gordon ~ Published September, 1997 ~ Last Updated, November, 2000 ©
This document may be reproduced for non-profit or educational purposes only, with the
provisions that the entire document remain intact and full acknowledgement be given to the authors.
Schwarzenau Brethren - Church of the Brethren - German Baptist Brethren - Old German Baptist Brethren - Old "Order" German Baptist Brethren - Dunkard Brethren - Ancient Brethren - Progressive Brethren - The Brethren Church - Grace Brethren - Hoffman Brethren - Moravian Brethren - Mennonite Brethren - United Brethren - Evangelical United Brethren - Hutterian Brethren - River Brethren - Yorker Brethren - Brethren in Christ - Plymouth Brethren - Open Brethren - Closed Brethren - Lutheran Brethren
uzzled by all the Brethren denominations? There are so many
Christian groups using the term Brethren, that questions frequently arise
concerning their relationship with each other. The purpose of this exercise is
to acquaint you with a basic, non-theological outline of denominations using the
word Brethren, and hopefully give you an overview of how we all fit together.
One very common denominator which usually holds true for most Brethren groups is
that each progenitive body originated in central Europe during the Fifteenth to
Eighteenth centuries under mild to severe religious persecution. There are eight
main Brethren groups, and each sub-group is listed under their progenitor. When
possible, links have been included to other web sites that offer additional
material, that will hopefully increase the understanding of a specific group.
Reasonable consideration should therefore be exercised that opinions expressed
are solely the responsibility of the editors of that site, and may not represent
an official position of the governing denominational body.
The basic outline of this document
was first compiled by Richard M. Judy of
Dunker Springhaus Ministries, Youngstown, Ohio. It was then further researched
to include commentary on each group, additional information, brief histories,
reference links to other web sites, and then graphically enhanced for the Web,
by Ron Gordon, Church of the Brethren
Network Administrator. We hope this co-project will be helpful towards attaining
a better perspective of the many Brethren groups, and especially a more keen
understanding of their various subgroups. Your questions, suggestions, or any
corrections to this outline are most welcome.
oravian Brethren ~ 1457
Names:
Moravians, Moravian Brethren, Unitas Fratrum or Unity of Brethren
National Offices:
Provincial Elders' Conference, North
1021 Center Street, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245
Origin:
Influenced by John Hus (died 1415), a group of Hussites organized
themselves among Czech/Bohemians in 1457, and later adopted the
name Unitas Fratrum (United Brethren). Migrated into neighboring
Silesia and Moravia to escape the Thirty Years War, and nearly
extinguished during the 1600's by repeated forced conversions to
Roman Catholicism. In 1722, many settled in Herrnhut in Saxony,
on property owned by the reformer Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf,
who later transported many to America with the desire to unite all
German groups (including Mennonite, Lutheran, Reformed) under one
religious and cultural roof.
Information:
Unity of the Brethren
Moravian Church National Homepage
Moravian Church History
Moravian History & Practices
Moravian History
Moravian College
Moravian Theological Seminary
Glossary of Moravian Terms
Zinzendorf, Nikolaus Ludwig Graf von
utterian Brethren ~ 1528
Names:
Hutterites, Bruderhof, Society of Brothers
National Offices:
Geographically separate communitarian groups
Origin:
This is one of the first Anabaptist groups to organize following
Ulrich Zwingli, Felix Mantz, and Conrad Grebel initialing the core
movement in Switzerland in 1522. Pacifism was a central belief of
Anabaptism. When persecution became intolerable in Switzerland and
southern Germany, many Anabaptists found refuge in Moravia where
a distinctive, more communitarian type of Anabaptism had emerged in
1528. The best known leader of the Moravian group was Jacob Hutter,
a hat maker from the Tyrol who was their guiding lightbearer from
1533 until his death in 1536. He and a few other Anabaptists
practiced what can only be described as combative pacifism. In other
words, they were willing to respond aggressively in the very most
vociferous manner without actually becoming physical.
"Woe, woe! unto you, O ye Moravian rulers, who have sworn to
that cruel tyrant and enemy of God's truth, Ferdinand, to drive
away his pious and faithful servants. Woe! we say unto you, who
fear that frail and mortal man more than the living, omnipotent,
and eternal God, and chase from you, suddenly and inhumanly, the
children of God, the afflicted widow, the desolate orphan, and
scatter them abroad...God, by the mouth of the prophet proclaims
that He will fearfully and terribly avenge the shedding of
innocent blood, and will not pass by such as fear not to pollute
and contaminate their hands therewith. Therefore, great
slaughter, much misery and anguish, sorrow and adversity, yea,
everlasting groaning, pain and torment are daily appointed you."
Van Braght, "Martyrology: Letters of Jakob Hutter," p. 151-153
R.J. Smithson, "The Anabaptists," London, 1935, p. 69-71
Also see "History of Civilization," Prentice-Hall, 1967, p. 481
Although he advocated non-violence and stressed a pattern of living
closely emulating the Apostolic Christianity, after the devastating
Mayhem in Munster, he became a hunted fugitive along with most
other Anabaptists. On February 25, 1536, he was captured, tortured,
immersed in freezing water, and his body later burned.
Nearly exterminated when forced to accept Catholicism, Hutterites
found refuge in Ukraine in 1595, later emigrated to the United
States in 1874-79, and then north into Canada in 1918. Each group
of about one hundred persons lives in Bruderhof (brothers place),
a small colony with ownership of property held in common to all,
following the example of early Christians (Acts 2:44). Their
lifestyle is mostly conservative and simplistic, with a profound
determination to resist political participation in any way. These
agriculturally based communities of nondescript houses, barns, and
sheds, are self-sufficient, growing most of their own food in an
array of gardens, fields, and orchards.
Hutterites encountered new hostilities during World War II because
of their conscientious objection to military participation,
accepting only alternative service through civilian administered
programs.
________________________________________
The "Society of Brothers" is an entirely different group founded by
Eberhard Arnold (1883-1935) in the early 1920's in Germany. When
they were persecuted by the Nazis, they moved to Liechtenstein, then
England, later Paraguay during World War II, and finally coming to
the United States in the early 1950's. Arnold sought to assimilate
his group into the Hutterites, but lacking a national organization,
it became a matter of his flock being accepted by the different
Hutterite communal groups. For a brief period, the Hutterites and
the Bruderhofs were cohesively aligned, interchangeably using each
other's label (Hutterites being called Bruderhofs, vice-versa). Then
a rift started between different communal groups because of certain
practices and beliefs, with the Lehrerleut and Dariusleut Hutterites
no longer welcoming the Bruderhofs, but with the Schmiedeleut colony
maintaining open communication.
When grandson Heini Arnold became leader of the original Bruderhof
communities in 1961, a purge of nearly one-third of their membership
ensued with numerous ex-members charging Arnold of totalitarianism.
These exiles have used a newsletter called KIT (Keep In Touch) to
chronicle possible Bruderhof abuses, and encourage current members
to leave ranks. Ongoing charges and counter-charges from both sides
continue to sustain hard feelings, and 'muddy the water' between a
clear distinction of each group, because the labels Hutterites and
Bruderhof have been used so interchangeably by each group.
Information:
Hutterites of North America (Steffke)
Brief Hutterite History
Death of Jacob Hutter
Hutterite Community Lifestyle
Hutterite Chronology
Hutterian Brethren in North America
Hutterite Wisdom
Hutterite Genealogy Homepage
Hutterite Bibliography
Hutterite Genealogy Cross-Index
Hutteries Excommunicate The Bruderhof
Other Side of Joy
Bruderhof.Org
Memories of the New Hutterite Bruderhof
Bruderhof Experiences & Observations
Public Image of the Bruderhof and the Reality
Peregrine Foundation: Assisting Social Group Refugees
Peregrine Foundation: Achives
Expelled Bruderhofer Members Speak Out
Stress and Conflict
Bruderhof vs The Internet
The Great Bruderhof Newsgroup Fight
Bruderhof Lawyers threaten William Peters
Response to Bruderhof Lawyers
chwarzenau Brethren ~ 1708
Names:
Schwarzenau Brethren, Neu-Täufer, German Baptist Brethren,
Church of the Brethren, Progressive Brethren, The Brethren Church,
Dunkard Brethren, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
Old German Baptist Brethren, Old 'Order' German Baptist Brethren
Tunkers, Tunkards, Dunkers, Dunkards
Ephrata Cloister, Snowhill Nunnery
Salemville German Seventh Day Baptist Church
Acronyms:
COB = Church of the Brethren
BC = The Brethren Church
FGBC = Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
DB = Dunkard Brethren
OGBB = Old German Baptist Brethren
OOGBB = Old Order German Baptist Brethren
Monikers
The names tunker, dunkers, and dunkards have been applied to
many Brethren sub-groups because of their common practice of
immersing or 'dunking' baptismal candidates. (see also the
Brethren in Christ below)
Although modern Germans principally use the transitive verb
tauchen (plunge, immerse) or eintauchen (dive into), the
obsolete tunken was the moniker applied to the early Brethren.
The later substitution of the 'D' for the 'T' thus rendering
dunken is most probably a New World innovation, which itself,
later evolved into dunkard, and backward also into tunkard.
First known as the Schwarzenau Täufer (Baptists) or Neu-Täufer
(new baptists) to distinguish them from older Anabaptists bodies,
such as the Mennonites and Amish, they later migrated through the
New World using the label German Baptist Brethren, which was later
adopted officially in 1871 at Annual Meeting. Variations of Tunker
and Dunker have also been used by several Brethren groups beside
this Schwarzenau body (see Brethren In Christ below). In fact, a
1926 splinter group from the Church of the Brethren actually uses
the label Dunkard Brethren.
The 'short definition' of Tunker or Dunker applies more properly to
groups associated with the method of baptism through immersion.
National Offices:
Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120
The Brethren Church, 524 College, Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805
Fellowship of Grace Brethren ???
Old German Baptist Brethren ???
Dunkard Brethren ???
Origin:
Established 1708 near Schwarzenau, Germany, by Alexander Mack who
founded a community of eight believers through adult baptism. They
were heavily influenced by Pietism, and Anabaptist conventions from
an earlier century. Schwarzenau Brethren often experienced religious
persecution, and found refuge among Mennonites, an older persecuted
Anabaptist group who had establish havens over many years, such as
Krefeld (Germany) and Germantown (Pennsylvania). Brethren were also
influenced by them, and many beliefs and practices remain similar
into the modern era. Following a resurgence of persecution, splinter
groups evolved and the Mack party emigrated in 1729 to Pennsylvania
in the wake of co-worker Peter Becker's earlier group of 1719. The
first American congregation was founded near Germantown with adult
baptisms on Christmas Day, 1723. Enjoying their new world freedom
from religious persecution, many congregations were established.
Development:
Ephrata Cloister
* Elder Johann Conrad Beissel renounces his Brethren affiliation
in 1728, and establishes his own experiment in communal living
with a Cloister near Ephrata, Pennsylvania in 1732. During his
lifetime, the community flourished, but after his death in 1768,
many residents simply moved away. Today it has been restored and
remains an historic relic to the folly of esteem for one man.
* Snow Hill Nunnery expansion project in 1764.
* Salemville groups leaves Snow Hill in ????.
Three-way division in 1881-1882
* Old German Baptist Brethren (OGBB), representing the more
conservative wing as in dress, custom, and worship could not
tolerate modern innovations of the Nineteenth century in the
church and left in 1881. Minor schisms followed this group with
the Old Order German Baptist Brethren breaking away in 1921.
* Progressive Brethren representing the more liberal wing desired
modern innovations of the Nineteen Century and especially stressed
a greater emphasis on evangelism. They left in 1882 to form the
Brethren Church (BC) which experienced its own schism in 1939 with
the departure of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (GB).
* Central and largest group of moderates (then called Conservatives)
realizing after two full centuries that few members speak German or
embrace the former sub-culture, later adopted the denominational
title Church of the Brethren (COB) in 1908, also eschewing the
word baptist.
Dunkard Brethren (DB) 1926
* A more conservative group leaves the Church of the Brethren with
minor divisions following the DB in 1948 and 1949.
Information:
Church of the Brethren Network - COB-NET
Alexander Mack, Honors To
Annual Conference
Bethany Theological Seminary
Bibliography
Bulletin Board
Camping Ministry
Churches/Districts
Colleges
Ephrata Cloister
European Origin of the Schwarzenau Brethren
Frequently Asked Questions
Genealogy & History
Glossary
Migration & Expansion of the Brethren in America
Nineteenth Century Acculturation of the Brethren
Timeline
Web Directory
Church of the Brethren National Offices
Annual Conference
Association of Brethren Caregivers
BECU
Bethany Theological Seminary
General Board
The Brethren Church
Ashland Theological Seminary
Ashland University
Dunkard Brethren Church
Church Polity
Old Order Brethren
Old German Baptist Brethren
Fellowship of Grace Brethren Web Site
Grace College
International Missions
nited Brethren ~ 1767
Names:
United Brethren, Church of the United Brethren, United Christian
Church, Evangelical United Brethren, UB, UCC, EUB
National Offices:
United Brethren in Christ
302 Lake Street, Huntington, IN 46750
Origin:
From the Pietist movement in the mid to late 1700's among German
speaking folk in Pennsylvania. There was a fervor of spiritual
awakening sweeping through Lancaster County in the 1760's. Many of
these individuals professed the necessity of holiness and especially
the assurance of "new birth" conversion as a real experience to be
remembered. In 1767, German Reformed pastor Philip Otterbein attended
an interdenominational "Great Meeting" near Lancaster, PA. Hearing
the powerful conversion story of Mennonite speaker Martin Boehm, he
embraced him, exclaiming: "Wir sind Bruder" (we are Brethren). This
meeting later produced a group called the United Brethren, who trace
their beginning to the Otterbein/Boehm meeting. There appears to be
no formal structure to the United Brethren until 1800, when they
officially organized themselves near Frederick, Maryland. In order
to distinguish themselves from the Moravians who were also called
United Brethren from their Latin title Unitas Fratrum, they appended
the words "in Christ."
In the late 1700's, many United Brethren congregations were formed
throughout Lancaster County, and generally bore names associated
with their locality. One such congregation on the east shore of the
Susquehanna River came to be called River Brethren, and would later
evolve into the Brethren in Christ (see next article).
Development:
Hoffmanites
A Pennsylvania group of United Brethren ministers and laymen under
Rev. George Hoffman, broke away in the late 1860's over doctrinal
issues. First known as "Hoffmanites," they later organized in 1878
as the United Christian Church.
Great split of 1889
Majority group known as New Constitution or Liberals merged with
the Evangelical Church (another Pietist German group) in 1946 and
adopted the name Evangelical United Brethren Chruch. In 1968, the
EUB merged with the Methodists to form the United Methodist.
Minority group known as Old Constitution or Radicals and led by
Bishop Milton Wright (father of Wilbur and Orville Wright, see
also the book, "The Bishop's Boys") retained the former title of
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
Information:
Church of the United Brethren in Christ
UBC: History & Heritage
UBC: Fact Sheet
Otterbein, Philip William
Huntington College
Evangelical United Brethren Collection of Shenandoah University
United Methodist Church History
rethren In Christ ~ (1780s)
Names:
River Brethren, River Mennonites, United Zion Holiness,
Old Order River Brethren, Yorker Brethren, Tunkers,
Brethren in Christ, BIC
National Offices:
Brethren In Christ
431 Grantham Road, PO Box 290, Grantham, PA 17027
Origin:
Began when a fervor of spiritual awakening or revival was sweeping
through Lancaster County in the 1760's. A revival movement having
its origin in the German Methodist movement, when Otterbein and
Boehm formed the United Brethren. Most groups came to be known by
their locality, and the group north of the town of Marietta on the
east side of the Susquehanna River were called the River Brethren.
United Brethren leader Martin Boehm was the spiritual leader of this
group until its congregation, principally of Mennonite background,
began to withdraw from him because of his liberal views on baptism,
and his relationships with non-Mennonite individuals.
Early formation is not well documented. Details are unclear. Most
information has been garnered from the memories of participants who
did not regard dates and events with importance. Jacob Engel is
universally cited in BIC literature as one of the founders who were
convinced that trine immersion was the Scriptural method of baptism.
Sensing alienation from the United Brethren and Mennonites over this
issue, compounded by an unwillingness from several Dunker ministers
to baptize outside their own circle, this group sought to establish
its own identity. A tradition exists that a Dunker Elder, George
Miller encouraged them to form their own group through a "mutual
baptism" as was earlier performed by the Schwarzenau Brethren. This
group event is thought to have occurred in the 1780's.
They were known simply as River Brethren until the Civil War, when
a military draft was instituted by the Union Government, requiring
them to register in Washington as a non-resistant organization. It
is believed that on this occasion the label "Brethren in Christ"
was first used in 1861, although older members continued to use the
term River Brethren well into the next century.
Information:
Brethren In Christ
Historical Sketch of the Canadian Brethren In Christ
Messiah College
Lancaster County Historical Society (Marietta River Brethren)
ennonite Brethren ~ 1860
Names:
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
National Offices:
Mennonite Brethren Executive Secretary
4824 E. Butler Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727-5097
Origin:
Birthed from the larger Mennonite Church in 1860 through a process
of spiritual revival with a desire for closer fellowship, this group
incorprated the title Brethren simply because of their spiritual
kinship, a result of meeting in small household groups for prayer
and Bible study.
Information:
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
Historical Commission
Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference
Canadian Conference Confession
Church Homepages
Mennonite Brethren Herald
Saskatchewan Conference Of Mennonite Brethren Churches
Tabor College
Unrelated Brethren Groups
There are many other denominations which incorporate the word Brethren in their title, but have no direct or schismatic relationship to any of the above main groups which principally originated from central Europe through German Pietism or Anabaptist influence. Each of the following articles are included purely for matters of research and topical completeness, because the exclusion thereof may invite speculation that a more direct relationship may exist.
There is at least one common element that does form a
bridge with the former groups; in that a small group of Christians desiring to
intensify their spiritual lives through direct application of biblical
principles is hindered by an insensitive, hierarchal organizational structure.
lymouth Brethren ~ 1825
Names:
Plymouth Brethren, Open Group, Exclusive Group, Newton Group,
Raven Group, Taylor Group
National Offices:
???
Origin:
John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) was born in London to Irish parents
when England struggled against Higher Criticism, a persuasion which
questioned the truthfulness and inspiration of the Bible. Several
fundamentalist movements arose to combat its effects, and the
Plymouth Brethren was one of them. Darby became a priest under the
Church of England and served in Ireland where he labored tirelessly
to educate the peasantry in the Word of God. He grew dissatisfied
with the established church and looked for affirmation from the
outside. In 1827, he began meeting with similarly minded believers
in Dublin, Ireland. Especially a group founded by Edward Cronin
two years earlier when he had, likwise, became dissenchanged with
the established churches. Although Cronin started this particular
group, it would be Darby who would give them visibility. Believers
in England heard of the excitement in Ireland, and Darby went to
London in 1830, and then to Plymouth in 1832. It was here that the
town name was associated with the group.
Development:
OPEN Plymouth Brethren (moderate)
Open Brethren churches are "completely" independent without
any form of higher governing body. Each church observes the
ecclesiastical offices of Elder and Deacon, but not salaried
ministry. "Gifted Brothers" officiate worship and communion
services, and "Gifted Sisters" lead private Bible studies.
EXCLUSIVE Plymouth Brethren (conservative)
Exclusive or Closed Brethren shun the idea of independence
and maintain circles of fellowship without a higher governing
body. They do not have Elders, but instead utilize the talents
of "leading brothers."
* Raven Group
* Taylor Group
Information:
Brethren since 1870
John Nelson Darby - Defender of the Faith
John Nelson Darby - Synopsis of the Books of the Bible
John Nelson Darby - Bible Translation
Plymouth Brethren History
Plymouth Brethren - FAQS
Emmaus College
Victorian Web
utheran Brethren ~ 1900
Name:
Church of the Lutheran Brethren in America, CLBA
National Offices:
Church of the Lutheran Brethren in America
1007 Westside Drive, Box 655
Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655
Origin:
During the 1890's, a widespread spiritual awakening occured in the
upper midwestern states where many Lutheran congregations felt
the need to be more spiritually open, read the Bible with greater
earnest, and stress the importance of missions and personal
salvation. This was also a period when Sunday School was thought
appropriate only for children, not adults. Predictably, existing
Lutheran synods looked upon this activity with disdain, so in
December of 1900, five Lutheran congregations joined with each
other to form a new synod.
The Lutheran Brethren follow the "low church" route of no clerical
robes or priestly vestments, no ritual Liturgical Service, enjoy
gospel songs mixed with traditional hymns, and the unmistakable
belief that salvation is a process of regeneration for individuals
having reached the age of accountability, being aware of personal
sin and forgiveness through God's unmerited grace in Jesus Christ.
Lutheran Brethren also adhere to these confessional writings: the
Apostle's Creed, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds, Augsburg Confession,
and Luther's Small Catechism.
Information:
Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America
Lutheran Brethren Seminary
Lutheran Brethren Schools
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy
 |
Brethren
Bibliography A resource of Brethren, Anabaptist, and Pietist literature |
 |
| European Origins | Brethren in America | 19th Century | Brethren Groups | Genealogy | FAQS |
"And he looked round about on them which sat about him,
and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of God,
the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
Mark 3:34-35
Written by Ronald J. Gordon ~ Published September, 1997 ~ Last Updated, November, 2000 ©
This document may be reproduced for non-profit or educational purposes only, with the
provisions that the entire document remain intact and full acknowledgement be given to the authors.
Schwarzenau Brethren - Church of the Brethren - German Baptist Brethren - Old German Baptist Brethren - Old "Order" German Baptist Brethren - Dunkard Brethren - Ancient Brethren - Progressive Brethren - The Brethren Church - Grace Brethren - Hoffman Brethren - Moravian Brethren - Mennonite Brethren - United Brethren - Evangelical United Brethren - Hutterian Brethren - River Brethren - Yorker Brethren - Brethren in Christ - Plymouth Brethren - Open Brethren - Closed Brethren - Lutheran Brethren
uzzled by all the Brethren denominations? There are so many
Christian groups using the term Brethren, that questions frequently arise
concerning their relationship with each other. The purpose of this exercise is
to acquaint you with a basic, non-theological outline of denominations using the
word Brethren, and hopefully give you an overview of how we all fit together.
One very common denominator which usually holds true for most Brethren groups is
that each progenitive body originated in central Europe during the Fifteenth to
Eighteenth centuries under mild to severe religious persecution. There are eight
main Brethren groups, and each sub-group is listed under their progenitor. When
possible, links have been included to other web sites that offer additional
material, that will hopefully increase the understanding of a specific group.
Reasonable consideration should therefore be exercised that opinions expressed
are solely the responsibility of the editors of that site, and may not represent
an official position of the governing denominational body.
The basic outline of this document
was first compiled by Richard M. Judy of
Dunker Springhaus Ministries, Youngstown, Ohio. It was then further researched
to include commentary on each group, additional information, brief histories,
reference links to other web sites, and then graphically enhanced for the Web,
by Ron Gordon, Church of the Brethren
Network Administrator. We hope this co-project will be helpful towards attaining
a better perspective of the many Brethren groups, and especially a more keen
understanding of their various subgroups. Your questions, suggestions, or any
corrections to this outline are most welcome.
oravian Brethren ~ 1457
Names:
Moravians, Moravian Brethren, Unitas Fratrum or Unity of Brethren
National Offices:
Provincial Elders' Conference, North
1021 Center Street, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245
Origin:
Influenced by John Hus (died 1415), a group of Hussites organized
themselves among Czech/Bohemians in 1457, and later adopted the
name Unitas Fratrum (United Brethren). Migrated into neighboring
Silesia and Moravia to escape the Thirty Years War, and nearly
extinguished during the 1600's by repeated forced conversions to
Roman Catholicism. In 1722, many settled in Herrnhut in Saxony,
on property owned by the reformer Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf,
who later transported many to America with the desire to unite all
German groups (including Mennonite, Lutheran, Reformed) under one
religious and cultural roof.
Information:
Unity of the Brethren
Moravian Church National Homepage
Moravian Church History
Moravian History & Practices
Moravian History
Moravian College
Moravian Theological Seminary
Glossary of Moravian Terms
Zinzendorf, Nikolaus Ludwig Graf von
utterian Brethren ~ 1528
Names:
Hutterites, Bruderhof, Society of Brothers
National Offices:
Geographically separate communitarian groups
Origin:
This is one of the first Anabaptist groups to organize following
Ulrich Zwingli, Felix Mantz, and Conrad Grebel initialing the core
movement in Switzerland in 1522. Pacifism was a central belief of
Anabaptism. When persecution became intolerable in Switzerland and
southern Germany, many Anabaptists found refuge in Moravia where
a distinctive, more communitarian type of Anabaptism had emerged in
1528. The best known leader of the Moravian group was Jacob Hutter,
a hat maker from the Tyrol who was their guiding lightbearer from
1533 until his death in 1536. He and a few other Anabaptists
practiced what can only be described as combative pacifism. In other
words, they were willing to respond aggressively in the very most
vociferous manner without actually becoming physical.
"Woe, woe! unto you, O ye Moravian rulers, who have sworn to
that cruel tyrant and enemy of God's truth, Ferdinand, to drive
away his pious and faithful servants. Woe! we say unto you, who
fear that frail and mortal man more than the living, omnipotent,
and eternal God, and chase from you, suddenly and inhumanly, the
children of God, the afflicted widow, the desolate orphan, and
scatter them abroad...God, by the mouth of the prophet proclaims
that He will fearfully and terribly avenge the shedding of
innocent blood, and will not pass by such as fear not to pollute
and contaminate their hands therewith. Therefore, great
slaughter, much misery and anguish, sorrow and adversity, yea,
everlasting groaning, pain and torment are daily appointed you."
Van Braght, "Martyrology: Letters of Jakob Hutter," p. 151-153
R.J. Smithson, "The Anabaptists," London, 1935, p. 69-71
Also see "History of Civilization," Prentice-Hall, 1967, p. 481
Although he advocated non-violence and stressed a pattern of living
closely emulating the Apostolic Christianity, after the devastating
Mayhem in Munster, he became a hunted fugitive along with most
other Anabaptists. On February 25, 1536, he was captured, tortured,
immersed in freezing water, and his body later burned.
Nearly exterminated when forced to accept Catholicism, Hutterites
found refuge in Ukraine in 1595, later emigrated to the United
States in 1874-79, and then north into Canada in 1918. Each group
of about one hundred persons lives in Bruderhof (brothers place),
a small colony with ownership of property held in common to all,
following the example of early Christians (Acts 2:44). Their
lifestyle is mostly conservative and simplistic, with a profound
determination to resist political participation in any way. These
agriculturally based communities of nondescript houses, barns, and
sheds, are self-sufficient, growing most of their own food in an
array of gardens, fields, and orchards.
Hutterites encountered new hostilities during World War II because
of their conscientious objection to military participation,
accepting only alternative service through civilian administered
programs.
________________________________________
The "Society of Brothers" is an entirely different group founded by
Eberhard Arnold (1883-1935) in the early 1920's in Germany. When
they were persecuted by the Nazis, they moved to Liechtenstein, then
England, later Paraguay during World War II, and finally coming to
the United States in the early 1950's. Arnold sought to assimilate
his group into the Hutterites, but lacking a national organization,
it became a matter of his flock being accepted by the different
Hutterite communal groups. For a brief period, the Hutterites and
the Bruderhofs were cohesively aligned, interchangeably using each
other's label (Hutterites being called Bruderhofs, vice-versa). Then
a rift started between different communal groups because of certain
practices and beliefs, with the Lehrerleut and Dariusleut Hutterites
no longer welcoming the Bruderhofs, but with the Schmiedeleut colony
maintaining open communication.
When grandson Heini Arnold became leader of the original Bruderhof
communities in 1961, a purge of nearly one-third of their membership
ensued with numerous ex-members charging Arnold of totalitarianism.
These exiles have used a newsletter called KIT (Keep In Touch) to
chronicle possible Bruderhof abuses, and encourage current members
to leave ranks. Ongoing charges and counter-charges from both sides
continue to sustain hard feelings, and 'muddy the water' between a
clear distinction of each group, because the labels Hutterites and
Bruderhof have been used so interchangeably by each group.
Information:
Hutterites of North America (Steffke)
Brief Hutterite History
Death of Jacob Hutter
Hutterite Community Lifestyle
Hutterite Chronology
Hutterian Brethren in North America
Hutterite Wisdom
Hutterite Genealogy Homepage
Hutterite Bibliography
Hutterite Genealogy Cross-Index
Hutteries Excommunicate The Bruderhof
Other Side of Joy
Bruderhof.Org
Memories of the New Hutterite Bruderhof
Bruderhof Experiences & Observations
Public Image of the Bruderhof and the Reality
Peregrine Foundation: Assisting Social Group Refugees
Peregrine Foundation: Achives
Expelled Bruderhofer Members Speak Out
Stress and Conflict
Bruderhof vs The Internet
The Great Bruderhof Newsgroup Fight
Bruderhof Lawyers threaten William Peters
Response to Bruderhof Lawyers
chwarzenau Brethren ~ 1708
Names:
Schwarzenau Brethren, Neu-Täufer, German Baptist Brethren,
Church of the Brethren, Progressive Brethren, The Brethren Church,
Dunkard Brethren, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
Old German Baptist Brethren, Old 'Order' German Baptist Brethren
Tunkers, Tunkards, Dunkers, Dunkards
Ephrata Cloister, Snowhill Nunnery
Salemville German Seventh Day Baptist Church
Acronyms:
COB = Church of the Brethren
BC = The Brethren Church
FGBC = Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
DB = Dunkard Brethren
OGBB = Old German Baptist Brethren
OOGBB = Old Order German Baptist Brethren
Monikers
The names tunker, dunkers, and dunkards have been applied to
many Brethren sub-groups because of their common practice of
immersing or 'dunking' baptismal candidates. (see also the
Brethren in Christ below)
Although modern Germans principally use the transitive verb
tauchen (plunge, immerse) or eintauchen (dive into), the
obsolete tunken was the moniker applied to the early Brethren.
The later substitution of the 'D' for the 'T' thus rendering
dunken is most probably a New World innovation, which itself,
later evolved into dunkard, and backward also into tunkard.
First known as the Schwarzenau Täufer (Baptists) or Neu-Täufer
(new baptists) to distinguish them from older Anabaptists bodies,
such as the Mennonites and Amish, they later migrated through the
New World using the label German Baptist Brethren, which was later
adopted officially in 1871 at Annual Meeting. Variations of Tunker
and Dunker have also been used by several Brethren groups beside
this Schwarzenau body (see Brethren In Christ below). In fact, a
1926 splinter group from the Church of the Brethren actually uses
the label Dunkard Brethren.
The 'short definition' of Tunker or Dunker applies more properly to
groups associated with the method of baptism through immersion.
National Offices:
Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120
The Brethren Church, 524 College, Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805
Fellowship of Grace Brethren ???
Old German Baptist Brethren ???
Dunkard Brethren ???
Origin:
Established 1708 near Schwarzenau, Germany, by Alexander Mack who
founded a community of eight believers through adult baptism. They
were heavily influenced by Pietism, and Anabaptist conventions from
an earlier century. Schwarzenau Brethren often experienced religious
persecution, and found refuge among Mennonites, an older persecuted
Anabaptist group who had establish havens over many years, such as
Krefeld (Germany) and Germantown (Pennsylvania). Brethren were also
influenced by them, and many beliefs and practices remain similar
into the modern era. Following a resurgence of persecution, splinter
groups evolved and the Mack party emigrated in 1729 to Pennsylvania
in the wake of co-worker Peter Becker's earlier group of 1719. The
first American congregation was founded near Germantown with adult
baptisms on Christmas Day, 1723. Enjoying their new world freedom
from religious persecution, many congregations were established.
Development:
Ephrata Cloister
* Elder Johann Conrad Beissel renounces his Brethren affiliation
in 1728, and establishes his own experiment in communal living
with a Cloister near Ephrata, Pennsylvania in 1732. During his
lifetime, the community flourished, but after his death in 1768,
many residents simply moved away. Today it has been restored and
remains an historic relic to the folly of esteem for one man.
* Snow Hill Nunnery expansion project in 1764.
* Salemville groups leaves Snow Hill in ????.
Three-way division in 1881-1882
* Old German Baptist Brethren (OGBB), representing the more
conservative wing as in dress, custom, and worship could not
tolerate modern innovations of the Nineteenth century in the
church and left in 1881. Minor schisms followed this group with
the Old Order German Baptist Brethren breaking away in 1921.
* Progressive Brethren representing the more liberal wing desired
modern innovations of the Nineteen Century and especially stressed
a greater emphasis on evangelism. They left in 1882 to form the
Brethren Church (BC) which experienced its own schism in 1939 with
the departure of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (GB).
* Central and largest group of moderates (then called Conservatives)
realizing after two full centuries that few members speak German or
embrace the former sub-culture, later adopted the denominational
title Church of the Brethren (COB) in 1908, also eschewing the
word baptist.
Dunkard Brethren (DB) 1926
* A more conservative group leaves the Church of the Brethren with
minor divisions following the DB in 1948 and 1949.
Information:
Church of the Brethren Network - COB-NET
Alexander Mack, Honors To
Annual Conference
Bethany Theological Seminary
Bibliography
Bulletin Board
Camping Ministry
Churches/Districts
Colleges
Ephrata Cloister
European Origin of the Schwarzenau Brethren
Frequently Asked Questions
Genealogy & History
Glossary
Migration & Expansion of the Brethren in America
Nineteenth Century Acculturation of the Brethren
Timeline
Web Directory
Church of the Brethren National Offices
Annual Conference
Association of Brethren Caregivers
BECU
Bethany Theological Seminary
General Board
The Brethren Church
Ashland Theological Seminary
Ashland University
Dunkard Brethren Church
Church Polity
Old Order Brethren
Old German Baptist Brethren
Fellowship of Grace Brethren Web Site
Grace College
International Missions
nited Brethren ~ 1767
Names:
United Brethren, Church of the United Brethren, United Christian
Church, Evangelical United Brethren, UB, UCC, EUB
National Offices:
United Brethren in Christ
302 Lake Street, Huntington, IN 46750
Origin:
From the Pietist movement in the mid to late 1700's among German
speaking folk in Pennsylvania. There was a fervor of spiritual
awakening sweeping through Lancaster County in the 1760's. Many of
these individuals professed the necessity of holiness and especially
the assurance of "new birth" conversion as a real experience to be
remembered. In 1767, German Reformed pastor Philip Otterbein attended
an interdenominational "Great Meeting" near Lancaster, PA. Hearing
the powerful conversion story of Mennonite speaker Martin Boehm, he
embraced him, exclaiming: "Wir sind Bruder" (we are Brethren). This
meeting later produced a group called the United Brethren, who trace
their beginning to the Otterbein/Boehm meeting. There appears to be
no formal structure to the United Brethren until 1800, when they
officially organized themselves near Frederick, Maryland. In order
to distinguish themselves from the Moravians who were also called
United Brethren from their Latin title Unitas Fratrum, they appended
the words "in Christ."
In the late 1700's, many United Brethren congregations were formed
throughout Lancaster County, and generally bore names associated
with their locality. One such congregation on the east shore of the
Susquehanna River came to be called River Brethren, and would later
evolve into the Brethren in Christ (see next article).
Development:
Hoffmanites
A Pennsylvania group of United Brethren ministers and laymen under
Rev. George Hoffman, broke away in the late 1860's over doctrinal
issues. First known as "Hoffmanites," they later organized in 1878
as the United Christian Church.
Great split of 1889
Majority group known as New Constitution or Liberals merged with
the Evangelical Church (another Pietist German group) in 1946 and
adopted the name Evangelical United Brethren Chruch. In 1968, the
EUB merged with the Methodists to form the United Methodist.
Minority group known as Old Constitution or Radicals and led by
Bishop Milton Wright (father of Wilbur and Orville Wright, see
also the book, "The Bishop's Boys") retained the former title of
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
Information:
Church of the United Brethren in Christ
UBC: History & Heritage
UBC: Fact Sheet
Otterbein, Philip William
Huntington College
Evangelical United Brethren Collection of Shenandoah University
United Methodist Church History
rethren In Christ ~ (1780s)
Names:
River Brethren, River Mennonites, United Zion Holiness,
Old Order River Brethren, Yorker Brethren, Tunkers,
Brethren in Christ, BIC
National Offices:
Brethren In Christ
431 Grantham Road, PO Box 290, Grantham, PA 17027
Origin:
Began when a fervor of spiritual awakening or revival was sweeping
through Lancaster County in the 1760's. A revival movement having
its origin in the German Methodist movement, when Otterbein and
Boehm formed the United Brethren. Most groups came to be known by
their locality, and the group north of the town of Marietta on the
east side of the Susquehanna River were called the River Brethren.
United Brethren leader Martin Boehm was the spiritual leader of this
group until its congregation, principally of Mennonite background,
began to withdraw from him because of his liberal views on baptism,
and his relationships with non-Mennonite individuals.
Early formation is not well documented. Details are unclear. Most
information has been garnered from the memories of participants who
did not regard dates and events with importance. Jacob Engel is
universally cited in BIC literature as one of the founders who were
convinced that trine immersion was the Scriptural method of baptism.
Sensing alienation from the United Brethren and Mennonites over this
issue, compounded by an unwillingness from several Dunker ministers
to baptize outside their own circle, this group sought to establish
its own identity. A tradition exists that a Dunker Elder, George
Miller encouraged them to form their own group through a "mutual
baptism" as was earlier performed by the Schwarzenau Brethren. This
group event is thought to have occurred in the 1780's.
They were known simply as River Brethren until the Civil War, when
a military draft was instituted by the Union Government, requiring
them to register in Washington as a non-resistant organization. It
is believed that on this occasion the label "Brethren in Christ"
was first used in 1861, although older members continued to use the
term River Brethren well into the next century.
Information:
Brethren In Christ
Historical Sketch of the Canadian Brethren In Christ
Messiah College
Lancaster County Historical Society (Marietta River Brethren)
ennonite Brethren ~ 1860
Names:
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
National Offices:
Mennonite Brethren Executive Secretary
4824 E. Butler Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727-5097
Origin:
Birthed from the larger Mennonite Church in 1860 through a process
of spiritual revival with a desire for closer fellowship, this group
incorprated the title Brethren simply because of their spiritual
kinship, a result of meeting in small household groups for prayer
and Bible study.
Information:
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
Historical Commission
Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference
Canadian Conference Confession
Church Homepages
Mennonite Brethren Herald
Saskatchewan Conference Of Mennonite Brethren Churches
Tabor College
Unrelated Brethren Groups
There are many other denominations which incorporate the word Brethren in their title, but have no direct or schismatic relationship to any of the above main groups which principally originated from central Europe through German Pietism or Anabaptist influence. Each of the following articles are included purely for matters of research and topical completeness, because the exclusion thereof may invite speculation that a more direct relationship may exist.
There is at least one common element that does form a
bridge with the former groups; in that a small group of Christians desiring to
intensify their spiritual lives through direct application of biblical
principles is hindered by an insensitive, hierarchal organizational structure.
lymouth Brethren ~ 1825
Names:
Plymouth Brethren, Open Group, Exclusive Group, Newton Group,
Raven Group, Taylor Group
National Offices:
???
Origin:
John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) was born in London to Irish parents
when England struggled against Higher Criticism, a persuasion which
questioned the truthfulness and inspiration of the Bible. Several
fundamentalist movements arose to combat its effects, and the
Plymouth Brethren was one of them. Darby became a priest under the
Church of England and served in Ireland where he labored tirelessly
to educate the peasantry in the Word of God. He grew dissatisfied
with the established church and looked for affirmation from the
outside. In 1827, he began meeting with similarly minded believers
in Dublin, Ireland. Especially a group founded by Edward Cronin
two years earlier when he had, likwise, became dissenchanged with
the established churches. Although Cronin started this particular
group, it would be Darby who would give them visibility. Believers
in England heard of the excitement in Ireland, and Darby went to
London in 1830, and then to Plymouth in 1832. It was here that the
town name was associated with the group.
Development:
OPEN Plymouth Brethren (moderate)
Open Brethren churches are "completely" independent without
any form of higher governing body. Each church observes the
ecclesiastical offices of Elder and Deacon, but not salaried
ministry. "Gifted Brothers" officiate worship and communion
services, and "Gifted Sisters" lead private Bible studies.
EXCLUSIVE Plymouth Brethren (conservative)
Exclusive or Closed Brethren shun the idea of independence
and maintain circles of fellowship without a higher governing
body. They do not have Elders, but instead utilize the talents
of "leading brothers."
* Raven Group
* Taylor Group
Information:
Brethren since 1870
John Nelson Darby - Defender of the Faith
John Nelson Darby - Synopsis of the Books of the Bible
John Nelson Darby - Bible Translation
Plymouth Brethren History
Plymouth Brethren - FAQS
Emmaus College
Victorian Web
utheran Brethren ~ 1900
Name:
Church of the Lutheran Brethren in America, CLBA
National Offices:
Church of the Lutheran Brethren in America
1007 Westside Drive, Box 655
Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655
Origin:
During the 1890's, a widespread spiritual awakening occured in the
upper midwestern states where many Lutheran congregations felt
the need to be more spiritually open, read the Bible with greater
earnest, and stress the importance of missions and personal
salvation. This was also a period when Sunday School was thought
appropriate only for children, not adults. Predictably, existing
Lutheran synods looked upon this activity with disdain, so in
December of 1900, five Lutheran congregations joined with each
other to form a new synod.
The Lutheran Brethren follow the "low church" route of no clerical
robes or priestly vestments, no ritual Liturgical Service, enjoy
gospel songs mixed with traditional hymns, and the unmistakable
belief that salvation is a process of regeneration for individuals
having reached the age of accountability, being aware of personal
sin and forgiveness through God's unmerited grace in Jesus Christ.
Lutheran Brethren also adhere to these confessional writings: the
Apostle's Creed, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds, Augsburg Confession,
and Luther's Small Catechism.
Information:
Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America
Lutheran Brethren Seminary
Lutheran Brethren Schools
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy
 |
Brethren
Bibliography A resource of Brethren, Anabaptist, and Pietist literature |
 |
| European Origins | Brethren in America | 19th Century | Brethren Groups | Genealogy | FAQS |
"And he looked round about on them which sat about him,
and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of God,
the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
Mark 3:34-35
