Winner
of a 2004 Choice Award for an Outstanding Academic Title
&
The 2005 Dale W. Brown Book Award for Outstanding Scholarship in
Anabaptist and Pietist Studies
Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania, was a unique colonial town. It was the first permanent
outpost of the Moravians in North America and served as the headquarters
for their extensive missionary efforts. It was also one of the most
successful communal societies in American history. Bethlehem was
founded as a “congregation of the cross” where all aspects
of personal and social life were subordinated to the religious ideal
of the community. In Community of the Cross Craig D. Atwood
offers a convincing portrait of Bethlehem and its religion.
Visitors
to Bethlehem, such as Benjamin Franklin, remarked on the orderly
and peaceful nature of life in the community, its impressive architecture,
and “high” culture. However, many non-Moravians were embarrassed
or even offended by the social and devotional life of the Moravians.
The adoration of the crucified Jesus, especially his wounds, was
the focus of intense devotion for adults and children alike. Moravians
worshiped the Holy Spirit as “Mother,” and made the mystical
marriage to Christ central to their marital intimacy. Everything,
even family life, was to be a form of worship.
Atwood
reveals the deep connection between life in Bethlehem and the religious
symbolism of controversial German theologian Nicholas von Zinzendorf,
whose provocative and erotic adoration of the wounds of Jesus was
an essential part of private and communal life. Using the theories
of René Girard, Mary Douglas, and Victor Turner, Atwood shows
that it was the Moravians’ liturgy and devotion that united
the community and inspired both its unique social structure and
mission effort. |
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