Church of the Brethren
The Church of the Brethren traces its origins to a group of German Pietists who organized in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany, under Alexander Mack. Combining Anabaptist principles with Pietist spirituality, it practices trine (three-fold) immersion baptism, pacifism, simple living, and the Love Feast (which includes foot washing, a fellowship meal, and the Lord's Supper). In the twentieth century it joined the historic peace church tradition alongside Mennonites and Quakers. The denomination has moved toward more progressive positions on social issues in recent decades.
Theology
Christology
Nature of Jesus
Affirms
Fully human and divine; incarnate Word; peace teachings central to faith
Virgin Birth
Nuanced
Virgin birth historically affirmed; some liberal members question; no strict enforcement
Pre-existence of Christ
Affirms
Eternal Logos; Son existed before incarnation; creator and sustainer of all
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
New birth by faith; believer's baptism; progressive sanctification; can be lost
Atonement & Ransom
Nuanced
Christus Victor and moral influence prominent; penal substitution less emphasized
Predestination
Nuanced
Free will emphasized; God's love universal; no Calvinist double predestination
Original Sin
Nuanced
Sinful tendency inherited; community calls to repentance; less juridical than Reformed
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Resurrection hope; immortal soul; bodily resurrection; conscious intermediate state assured
Hell
Varies
Eternal punishment affirmed by many; annihilationism and universalism present; no official position
Heaven
Affirms
Resurrection hope; eternal life with God; peace and justice in Kingdom of God
Second Coming
Affirms
Christ will return literally; judgment and resurrection; Kingdom emphasis over precise timelines
Millennium
Varies
No official position; amillennial common; Kingdom ethics emphasized over eschatological timelines
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Nuanced
Congregational with Annual Conference discernment; Scripture and tradition; women fully ordained
Clergy & Priesthood
Affirms
Priesthood of all believers; pastoral leadership; women fully ordained since 1958
Sacraments & Ordinances
Affirms
Three ordinances: Love Feast (foot washing, meal, communion), baptism (trine), anointing
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Affirms
Protestant canon of 66 books; Apocrypha sometimes used devotionally; canon is closed
Biblical Inerrancy
Nuanced
Scripture as authoritative guide; infallibility affirmed; verbal inerrancy not required
Extra-biblical Revelation
Nuanced
Spirit continues to guide community; tradition and reason alongside Scripture; no new canon
Scripture Interpretation
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula affirmed; Triune God invoked in baptism
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Affirms Christ as divine; addresses Christ with divine title and prerogatives
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Varies
Varies among members; focus on God's justice and kingdom more than millennial timing
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God created the heavens and earth; interprets alongside modern biblical scholarship
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Nuanced
Affirms theological content; acknowledges textual-critical questions about manuscript evidence
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
Affirms content and message; acknowledges textual critical questions about authenticity
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
Acknowledges later addition; affirms Trinitarian doctrine from clearer passages
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; Protestant canon affirmed
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Not canonical; early Christian writing but not Scripture
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
Affirms traditional reading; recognizes Word's divinity but emphasizes incarnation
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Nuanced
Affirms virgin birth from Gospels; Isaiah passage subject to scholarly debate
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Christ and faith-community are the foundation; Peter's role respected but not papal
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's sovereignty balanced with human freedom and responsibility in faith
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Works are inseparable from faith; authentic discipleship requires action and service
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday worship central; rest principle affirmed; no strict Sabbatarian observance rules
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
Blood transfusions permitted; no religious prohibition; individual medical judgment affirmed
Military Service
Denies
Military service discouraged; pacifism and nonresistance affirmed; conscientious objection supported
Holidays
Affirms
Christmas, Easter, Pentecost observed; Love Feast as distinctive; simple celebration