In 1920, Eberhard Arnold abandoned his established middle-class life to move to the village of Sannerz, Germany. Alongside seven adults and five children, he established the Bruderhof, an intentional community that remains active today. This departure marked a radical shift in the theological direction of his life, away from state-aligned institutional religion and toward communal living.
Academic Foundation and Early Ministry
Born in 1883 in Königsberg, Arnold was the son of a doctor of theology and philosophy. He pursued studies in education, philosophy, and theology at the universities of Breslau, Halle, and Erlangen, eventually earning a doctorate. During his youth, he worked with the Salvation Army, an experience that deepened his concern for oppressed populations and influenced his focus on salvation. By 1908, at age 25, he left the Protestant state church after being baptized, citing concerns over the church's connection to the state.
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Following his move to Sannerz in 1920, Arnold began writing and speaking extensively on communal life. As the community grew, the group relocated to a larger farm in the Fulda district in 1926, known as the Rhön Bruderhof. During this period, Arnold learned of the existence of Hutterite communities in North America. He traveled there in 1930 for a year, visiting various Hutterian settlements and eventually receiving a commission as a missionary to Europe.
Final Years and Political Pressure
The rise of the Nazi regime brought direct conflict to the community. In 1933, the Gestapo raided the Bruderhof, confiscating materials and forcing the closure of their school. To protect the children, the community relocated them to Switzerland. Arnold sought new land, leading to the 1934 establishment of the Alm Bruderhof in Liechtenstein. Despite suffering from a leg injury that ultimately contributed to his death in 1935, Arnold continued to lecture and write until his passing in Darmstadt.
Fast facts
- Born: 1883, Königsberg, Germany
- Died: 1935, Darmstadt, Germany
- University: University of Erlangen–Nuremberg
- Spouse: Emmy von Hollander
- Founder: Bruderhof Communities
- Occupation: Theologian, writer, philosopher
- Notable Works: Inner Land, The Conscience
- Children: Emi-Margret, Eberhard-Heinrich, Johann Heinrich, Hans-Hermann, Monika
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the Bruderhof?
It was established by Arnold as an intentional community based on shared life and faith, intended to exist independently of the state church.
Did Eberhard Arnold write any books?
Yes, he authored numerous works including Inner Land, The Conscience, and Why We Live in Community, many of which remain in print through the Plough publishing house.
Achievements
- Fields: theology and faith
