Inspirationists

Inspirationists. The Inspirationists, formally known as the Community of True Inspiration, were a Christian Pietist and millenarian sect originating in Central Europe in the early 18th century. Characterized by their belief in continuing divine revelation through living instruments called werkzeuge, the group emphasized communal living, pacifism, and separation from worldly society. Facing persistent persecution, the community eventually emigrated to the United States, where they established several successful, self-sufficient settlements.

History

The sect emerged from the Radical Pietism movement within the Lutheran territories of Germany, particularly in Hesse and the Rhineland, following the teachings of Eberhard Ludwig Gruber and Johann Friedrich Rock. Early followers, often artisans and farmers, faced official suppression from authorities like the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Archbishopric of Mainz, leading to a period of clandestine meetings. A major renewal began in 1817 under the leadership of Christian Metz and Barbara Heinemann Landmann, who were recognized as new werkzeuge. Intensifying pressure and the desire for religious freedom prompted their organized emigration, facilitated by agents like William Keil, to New York in the 1840s. They first settled at Ebenezer near Buffalo before relocating to Iowa in 1855 to found the Amana Colonies, their most enduring and famous settlement.

Beliefs and practices

Central to their theology was the doctrine of divine inspiration, believing God continued to speak through chosen vessels, distinct from the cessationist views of mainstream Protestantism. These revelations, delivered in a distinctive inspired manner, provided guidance on spiritual, communal, and even practical matters. They observed a strict Sabbath, practiced adult baptism, and held communal love feasts. Their ecclesiology rejected formal ordained clergy, instead relying on elders and the direct words of the werkzeuge. Strongly Anabaptist-influenced, they were committed conscientious objectors, refusing military service and oath-taking, which frequently brought them into conflict with governments in both Europe and America.

Settlements and communities

Their first American communal experiment was the Ebenezer Society in New York, comprising four villages where they implemented the Articles of Association for shared property. Seeking more isolation and fertile land, the entire community migrated to the Iowa River valley, establishing the seven villages of the Amana Colonies. These settlements, including Main Amana, Middle Amana, and Homestead, were meticulously planned for agricultural and industrial self-sufficiency. They operated large communal kitchens, woolen mills, calico printing works, and farms under a theocratic communal system known as the Great Change, which lasted until 1932.

Notable members and leaders

The foundational leaders were the original werkzeuge Eberhard Ludwig Gruber and Johann Friedrich Rock, who established the sect's core principles. The renewal in the 19th century was led by the visionary Christian Metz and Barbara Heinemann Landmann, whose inspirations directed the exodus to America. Later influential figures included Gottlieb Scheuner and Jacob Griesemer, who provided leadership during the consolidation of the Amana Colonies. While not Inspirationists themselves, individuals like communitarian advocate William Keil and certain Quakers assisted in their relocation efforts. The community's longevity is also attributed to countless unnamed artisans, farmers, and craftsmen who built their utopian society.

Legacy and influence

The most direct legacy is the continued existence of the Amana Colonies, now a National Historic Landmark district and a major tourist destination in Iowa. The 1932 Great Change, ending communal ownership, led to the creation of two separate entities: the Amana Church Society and the for-profit Amana Society, which later famously launched the Amana appliance brand. Their history contributes to the study of American utopianism, alongside groups like the Shakers, the Oneida Community, and the Harmony Society. Their emphasis on quality craftsmanship and communal living left a lasting imprint on the cultural landscape of the Midwestern United States.

Category:Christian denominations Category:Religious organizations Category:Communal societies