The Amana Colonies

Paper Summary:

This paper presents the history of the Inspirationist movement, beginning in the early 1500s, before the actual founding of the group in Germany in the mid 1700s, through the Ebenezer Colonies in New York, and into the Amana Colonies. Topics discussed include the group's, lifestyle, writings, religious traditions, and beliefs. The paper discusses their prophecies and looks at other groups, such as the Moravians, Zwickau, Zoar, Brethren, Swiss Brethren, and Hussites. Also discussed in-depth are events, philosophies, and writings regarding religious oppression and reformation in Europe in the 16th to 18th centuries. Personalities discussed in the paper include Martin Luther, Jacob Boehme, Johann Arndt, Philip Jacob Spener, August Franke, Nicolaus Storch, and other Zwickau prophets.

From the Paper:

"As well as the Liebesmahl (Lords feast), Unterscuchung (spiritual examination), seating was strict within the church; it indicated a persons spiritual standing within the community. Each village consisted of three separate (Versammlungen) congregation groups that a person was assigned to according to "age and spiritual state", then these groups were separated by sex. The separation of groups has allowed for what was viewed as punishments or rewards, because elders could advance or demote a person. In some severe cases, a person was excommunicated from the church entirely for periods of time. In other cases, demotion was meant to discourage individuals from taking part in certain acts. One example is having children, while it is not forbidden, the birth of a new child would cause the parents to be demoted to the children's group until the child was at least two years old."

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