Wednesday, January 11, 2023

It is the 11th of January 2023. Welcome to the Christian History Almanac brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org. I’m Dan van Voorhis.

I try to be as broad as possible in selecting the people, ideas, and events for this program. Part of the fun, for me, is to be in the 2nd century one day, the 21st the next, with very orthodox folk one day and with people right on the edge of some seemingly dicey theology.

But you know there is a certain siren song- certain topics jump out at me, and when someone is born or died that I can tie to certain things- well, longtime listeners know. And so, it should not surprise you today that I am so happy to tell you it is the anniversary of the birth of Barbara Heinemann- a controversial woman from Alsace, born on the day in 1795 she would be a controversial member of 3, count them, 3 utopian/spiritualist communities in Europe and America. So… let’s tell her story.

The turn into the 19th century, when Barbara was born, saw the transition from the government’s concern being the confessional allegiance of her citizens and, instead, questions of allegiance based on political preferences. In short, “how should I be governed?” became the central question of “what should I believe?” in the Early modern period.

But still… I mean, you couldn’t just believe “anything.” At least, if you believe stuff that might be considered weird, do it quietly. Or find a remote place to do it.

The “Community of True Inspiration,” a group of loosely Protestant mystics, would not be quiet. They condemned what they perceived as the cold rationalism and dead orthodoxy of the Reformed and Lutheran churches in the Alsace. Characters like Johann Rock and Eberhard Gruber put their confidence and assurance in the community and in the living prophet- the “Werkzeug” or instrument of God.

While they would be chased around and eventually diminished with the death of Rock and Gruber, it was Barbara Heinemann who took up the mantle of Rock and Gruber and was named a new Werkzeug in 1818. Unfortunately for her, she was a woman making noise (that rarely goes well in these times), and she had a child out of wedlock. This was enough evidence for local magistrates to arrest her for indecency, and the community began to dwindle again.

But- this was a new age- and if you couldn’t find tolerant spaces in Europe, there was a rumor of freedom in the new world. Barbara and her followers made their way to the East Coast and eventually to Western New York- the land of communes, utopias, and spiritualism. Some 800 followers- along with Christian Metz (another key figure in this movement) began the Ebenezer community in 1843. “Ebenezer,” you might know, is not just for Scrooge but is a word for a commemoration of God’s help (you may remember the line in the hymn “Come Thou Font” - “Here I raise my Ebenezer/Hither by Thy help I've come”).  

With the growth spurred by the Erie Canal and the new bustling community of Buffalo, the Ebenezer crowd decided to look elsewhere. Heinemann and others settled in Iowa. There they would form the Amana community (like Awana, but with an M)- Amana is another Old Testament word that means “faithful.” The group slowly transferred from New York to Iowa, and when Metz died, Barbara molded the community after her own- increasingly peculiar- beliefs. They lived communally and could be confused with the Amish for their fierce isolationism. However, they used modern technology for their weaving and craftsmanship that provided income to the community that would, at the time, number over 1,000. Barbara lived and led the community until her death in 1883. The community continued to exist after her, but in the midst of the Great Depression gave up their exclusively communal living and became a society and corporation- not the spiritualists and radicals of a bygone era. I've yet to visit Iowa- but should I make my way to the Hawkeye state, I’m going to the Field of Dreams field and the Amana communities, founded by Barbara Heinemann, who was born on this, the 11th of January in 1795.

The last word for today comes from the daily lectionary from Matthew 12:

15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
    the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19 

He will not quarrel or cry out;
    no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 

A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

till he has brought justice through to victory.

21 

    In his name the nations will put their hope.”

This has been the Christian History Almanac for the 11th of January 2023, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org.

The show is produced by a man who knows that in Iowa, pigs outnumber people 4 to 1. He is Christopher Gillespie.

The show is written and read by a man who knows in Iowa: “what the heck your welcome/join us at the picnic/you can eat your fill/of all the food you bring yourself/You really give Iowa a try/provided your contrary” (I like musicals) I’m Dan van Voorhis.

You can catch us here every day- and remember that the rumors of grace, forgiveness, and the redemption of all things are true…. Everything is going to be ok.