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A Thesis in the Department of Church History -' Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Edinburgh University

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A Thesis in the Department of Church History -' Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Edinburgh University THE DUNKERS: THEIR ORIGINS, MIGRATIONS, DOCTRINES, AND DEVELOPMENT JOHN THOMPSON PETERS, A.B.,S.T.B. A Thesis in the Department of Church History -' Submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Edinburgh University. FOREWORD This thesis is an abbreviated historical study of that denomination of Christians known in early history in Germany, sometimes as Pietists, because most of them had originally been Pietists; often as Anabaptists, because they denied the validity of infant baptism; or, again as Dompelaers because their mode of baptism was immersion. Today they are popularly known as Dunkers, but among themselves as Brethren. The presentation here is not in any sense of the word a comprehensive study. The purpose has been to present a con­ cise history of this denomination, rich in historical interest, but neglected by historians and critics. Practically every book, essay or monograph concerning the Dunkers heretofore, has been produced from within their own ranks. While this thesis does not pretend to be the only s tudy by a member of another denomination, it is certainly one of a very few. The writer believes that the Dunkers have never been properly related to their Pietist and Anabaptist origins. Emphasis by their own people has been upon the distinctive origin of the sect as flowing from the life of its founder, Alexander Mack, and a fresh study of New Testament religion. One purpose is to show the proper relation between this sect and its antecedents in theology, religious practices and per­ sonalities. It is for this reason that more emphasis has been given to the European background than to the later history of the church, which has been more carefully recorded and thus is much better understood. Likewise for this reason a somewhat detailed study is made of the activities and beliefs of suen men as Spener, Francke and Simons* The use of numerous quotations, some of which are quite lengthy, has been occasioned by a desire to present the his­ torical record at first hand. This seems of prime importance in dealing with a sect concerning whose origins and progress, many misconceptions are held, and so little of the body of historical facts is known. On the other hand in dealing with the well known movements of Pietism and the Anabaptists, which have not been the express objects of this re-search, but which provide the background, fewer quotations and references are indicated. Because of its unique place as a religious sect; its contri­ butions to the religious history of America; and its many un­ studied historical phases, this re-search has seemed to the writer to be of real value. John Thompson Peters Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. March, 1941. TABLE OF CONTBNTS PAGE FOREWORD CHAPTER I - Influences in Central Europe in the Late Seventeenth and Early Eighteenth Century Which Gave Rise to the Movement, CHAPTER II - The Men Whose Lives Influenced the Movement and a Brief Exposit­ ion of Their Theology* 32 CHAPTER III - Immediate Circumstances Which Gave Rise to the Founding of the Church and the Men Who Founded It, 62 CHAPTER IV - Persecutions and Migrations of the Early Church, 120 CHAPTER V Facts Centered Around the Early and Later History of the Church in America, 143 CHAPTER VI - The Doctrines, Beliefs and Polity of the Church and the General Practices, 201 CHAPTER VII - An appraisal of the Work and In­ fluence of the Church, 242 APPENDIX I - 267 APPENDIX II - 269 BIBLIOGRAPHY- 270 CHAPTER X INFLUENCES IN CENTRAL EUROPE IN THE LATE SEVENTEENTH AND EARLY EIGHTEENTH CENTURY WHICH GAVE RISE TO THE DUMKER SECT The Bunker sect* which had its origin in the early eight­ eenth century, must properly be considered the outgrowth of certain movements and conditions Which prevailed in the latter half of the preceding century* An understanding of the reli­ gious situation in central Europe, particularly in Germany dur- ing that period will reveal the background from which the sect came* The Protestant Reformation was in many ways as much poli­ tical as religious, in that it represented a break not only with historical ecclesiastical institutions but with the exist­ ing ordefr of life* Dissatisfaction was wide-spread and was daily coming to more active expression* !3here was discontent and uncertainty alike in the spheres of moral, religious, social* economic and political life. A growing conviction was taking root that a radical change in traditional ous^jMRfi and institu­ tions was needed to meet the new age^ The Church stood out in this period as the dominant insti­ tution in Europe and as the most influential factor in its life* Whether justly or not therefore, every measure of reform brought forward concerned itself in some part with the ecclesiastical establishment* Prior to Luther, however, the criticisms of the existing system dealt mostly only with superficial details and - 2 - were not far-reaching. Chief targets of these attacks were improper ecclesiastical administration, financial exactions on the part of ecclesiastical authorities, ignorance, immorality and venality on the part of the clergy* The basic principles upon which the mediaeval system rested were not often made the object of criticism or of question. Criticism confined itself either to the over emphasis upon barren theology for practical religion or the displacement of actual p£ety by cold formality and extemalisrav * Lutber, however, set the stage for a complete break with Roman Catholicism in his basically different conceptions of salvation, the church, grace, faith and other fundamental doct­ rines* Thus under his leadership the deeprooted feelings of unrest which were stirring the people were given new impulse and the great period of conflict was launched by open discord "between two groups» The discontented people were ready to follow V at once the lead of a pious religious leader in the hope that their lot might be bettered* The struggle which was let loose by the launching of the Lutheran opposition was far reaching. It extended throughout most of Western Europe * It occupied most of the sixteenth century and continued into the seventeenth, culminating in part in the Thirty Years War which was a catastrophic event for rmany. During this war the population of Germany was reduced » g» Iiuther*s comment about his predecessors in his Table Talk* Works, VollX* p. 246,252? VoU iXii p. 118, 124, - 3 - from sixteen millions to six millions and the country was over­ run with famine and pestilence. Particularly did the war have a devastating influence upon tbe moral and religious life of the people. Ttois factor had a great effect upon what followed* The thirty Years War was brought to a close in 1648 with > c H the Peace of Westphalia, whose treaty tolerated the three churches, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed; "but gave no recognition to other sectm at that time* Following the war a reaction against religion took possession of the people. This was an almost inevitable consequence of the association in their minds between religion and war* The general attitude was one of in­ difference, and in many cases aversion to religion as such, since it was capable of bringing about much turmoil and unrest instead of peace.. Others did not blame religion for the unrest, but criticised the state churches, and gave place in their think­ ing to deep-rooted convictions against war and against a resort to force in dealings one with the other* The situation which developed placed the churches on the defensive. The three state churches, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed were on watch against each other and all three befcarae leagued together against other sects,, as yet unrecognized as having the right to exist* This defensive attitude of the churches was now furthered by the growth of PffPtestant Scholasticism* A common conviction among Protestant theologians was that an outstanding result of the Reformation was the purification of Christian doctrine* Since the true Catholic faith had been distorted, it was no* thto - 4 - "business of the Protestant theologian to restore again the true faith and purge it of error. In the early days of the Refor­ mation a great deal of practical ?vork was done in laying the foundations of Protestanism. This required the attention of the church, and hindered the progress of strictly theological in­ vestigations. Following the period when the Protestant state churches of Germany were firmly established, the task of system­ atizing the new theology and of conserving its highest values freed of error, was taken up with a real vigor after the pattern of the old scholasticism* Melanchthon was chiefly responsible for laying the found­ ations of Protestant Scholasticism* He held to the idea of the church as a school for teaching sound doctrinet he maintained that reason and revelation were the two main sources of know­ ledge concerning religious truth. He labored diligently in the field of dogmatic theology. Many of his ideas were in contrast to those of Luther. Under the "Phillipist"* influence, the Lutheran faith which embodies a new personal relationship between (Jod and the believing soul, soon tended to shade off into a belief described by Melanchthon as "an assent by which yatf' accept all articles of the faith.* Thus the new Protestant Scholasticism was born. The basic theological tenfcts of the new movement opened the door for schism within the ranks of the Lutheran church. Surely, if the church was to restore sound doctrine it must seek the very roots of true faith. This was not an easy task. With Luther
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