This paper examines the communal type of living established by the Hutterian Brethren in the sixteenth century. The Hutterian group developed remarkable system of communal living, which may be called “Christian communism.” But the Christian foundation upon which the Hutterites have built was different from socialism or dialectic materialism. Obviously, the Anabaptist movement in the sixteenth century was by no means uniform in character. So, what is the main characteristics of the Hutterites?
The paper demonstrates that the Hutterites shows salient difference in the contrast to other groups of Anabaptists, and that they are so radical and strict to form true and genuine Christian community in this-worldly society. In the history of Christianity, few groups are so archetypal to the type of “theocratic society” or “theocratic communism” as the Hutterites. They tried to return the primitive church as described in the New Testament. For the sake of communal living, the Hutterites demand the followers to forsake all concern for personal property. This attitude led to the establishment of complete community of goods in brotherly togetherness and sharing. What motivates the Hutterites for such complete community?
This study proceeds as follows. The introduction discusses the interpretations of such scholars as those who understand the Anabaptists in the sixteenth century in terms of “left wing” of the Reformation. The second chapter describes the historical origin and development of the Hutterian Brethren. This chapter shows that the Hutterites represent a most original type of Christian communal living in the demand of giving up private property. Chapter three will be divided into two parts. First part examines the Hutterites’ theology of the communal living in their writings. In this section, the writer insists that the concept of the Bible and the church of the Hutterites is the most profound and most spiritual principle in the demand of true and genuine self-surrender. Second part examines the three major motives that a scholar of Anabaptist, Robert Friedmann suggested. The paper discusses that the gist of the Hutterian community is based on their strict biblicism. Chapter four will investigate the type of communal living, which demonstrates a life patterned after the teaching and example of Christ. This part argues that for the Hutterites, the concept of the church as a body of committed to the highest standard of New Testament living was unique. In conclusion, the paper will suggest some remarks of the Hutterian Brethren in relation to the modern society.