| Community of the Cross: Moravian Piety in Colonial Bethlehem Contributor(s): Atwood, Craig D. (Author) |
|
 |
ISBN: 0271023678 ISBN-13: 9780271023670 Publisher: Penn State University Press OUR PRICE: $57.90 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: March 2004 Annotation: 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 its "high" culture. But, 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 Rene 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. Community of the Cross is published as part of the Max Kade German-American Research Institute Series.This series provides an outlet for books that reflect the mission of the Penn State Kade Institute: to integrate the history and culture of German speakers in the Americas with the major themes of early modern scholarship from the sixteenth to the early nineteenth century. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Christianity - History - Religion | Christianity - Denominations - Religion | Christian Theology - History |
| Dewey: 284.674 |
| LCCN: 2003022440 |
| Series: Max Kade German-American Research Institute Series |
| Physical Information: 1.09" H x 6.24" W x 9.7" (1.36 lbs) 283 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 17th Century - Chronological Period - 18th Century - Chronological Period - 19th Century - Cultural Region - Mid-Atlantic - Geographic Orientation - Pennsylvania - Religious Orientation - Christian |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: 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 its 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 they 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 Ren 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 its missionary efforts. |
Contributor Bio(s): Atwood, Craig D.: - Craig D. Atwood is Charles D. Couch Associate Professor of Moravian Theology and Ministry and Director of the Center for Moravian Studies at Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. |
