Counting the cost : Church of the Brethren as a hermeneutical community

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to introduce the Church of the Brethren as a unique community sharing Its tradition roots with both Radical Pietism and Anabaptism; to identify the hermeneutical perspective of the Early Brethren; to define further what it means to be a “hermeneutical community”; and to describe the current hermeneutical perspective of the Church of the Brethren. This is all done to show the need for conversation regarding an hermeneutical strategy for the twenty-first century for the Church of the Brethren. In the process of doing this, an underlying purpose will be to demonstrate that through the development of the Brethren community, specific changes occurred that have ultimately affected the way individuals in this community interpret scripture. Even as the Brethren have reinterpreted their core convictions to be a relevant witness to society, they have also been greatly influenced by society as well. Consequently, the late twentieth century and early twenty- first century Brethren are struggling with issues of individualism, identity, and witness. Therefore, If the CoB Is to have an effective witness, It must deal with these issues that the community's hermeneutical strategy directly affects.