Another Life is Possible – Insights from 100 years of Life Together
Another Life is Possible (Plough, 2020) arrived on our doorstep not long ago. Eden picked up the package and felt its physical weight, but we no idea how its physical size would be outweighed by the contents within the book’s covers. In this reflection, both Brad and Eden will respond. Eden first:
Another Life is Possible is possibly the most stunning book I (Eden) have ever worked through.
I (Eden) grew up in a Mennonite community (though not living “IN” community), and I feel a strong affinity to the Bruderhof. I resonate with the spirit of peace and pacifism, and the desire to work together to make change, instead of being lone agents. Having family close, eating together, working hard and sharing a purpose all tick the imaginary boxes in my heart.
All the technical components come together in this book. The pictures are breathtaking, capturing not only the form of each subject, but the very essence of them. The history and timeline of this community are laid out in a very clear and understandable way. The personal reflections allow you to enter into individual stories, their history, passions, paths to the Bruderhof and more. It is very nearly like being invited into each of their homes, or at the very least sitting across the table from them with a cuppa in hand.
Imagine if you could live your life at the intersection of your calling and vocation, and not have to feel the constant tension our culture generates to go in one direction after another to prove yourself. It is entirely possible to know your neighbours, to live your life in an environment where peace is a priority, and there are no “Jones” to keep up with.
The community has found a way to separate themselves from the “world,” while entering right back into it as agents of change, bringing practical hope, life and love to those who are vulnerable to being lost in the cracks of our society.
What is most moving to me (Eden) is the seamless way the gifts, callings, and ministries dovetail together.
This tribute to 100 years of The Bruderhof is a fantastically beautiful volume of photos, stories and glimpses into a life that this community has toiled to create. Their stories are authentic, relatable and help to demonstrate that another way is not only possible but the potential to thrive is plausible!
Picking up from Eden, I (Brad) first encountered the Bruderhof while teaching in Ashburnham on the south coast of the UK. They welcomed me for a day tour of their community, introduced me to the works of Eberhard Arnold and Plough Publishing. I was gratified by their hospitality and deeply impressed with how their community works together. I’d like to offer a teaser in this reflection that I hope will draw you further into the community via this beautiful book.
What I noticed first were some cosmetic similarities (especially among the women) to other intentional communities, such as the Old Mennonites, Amish or the Hutterites (with whom my father has developed a strong bond). But unlike those groups, which began in the radical reformation period of the early 1500s, the Bruderhof sprung up in 1920 through the leadership of Eberhard Arnold (in Germany). They fled Hitler’s Germany in 1937 and reassembled in England the following year.
I also quickly noticed other anomalies that struck me as unique and wonderful.
First, for such a tight-knit community, they are not insular. They have a strong sense of mission, community engagement and participate in kingdom partnerships. I was surprised by the fearless ecumenism.
For example, they regularly send out members to work with organizations like the Mennonite Disaster Service, participate in community development coalitions, and include stories in the Plough magazine featuring other Christian streams (from NT Wright to Pope Francis!). Their ecumenism surprised me.
Second, they remain deliberately gospel-centered. When I visited their incredibly efficient, high-end woodworking factory, one of the managers pulled me aside to say, “You need to know that this is not our primary purpose or identity. We are first and foremost about the gospel of Jesus Christ.” It seemed to me that the community recognizes how other intentional groups began with a strong gospel focus but lost sight of it through the centuries. The Bruderhof actively work to avoid repeating that mistake.
Third, their publishing arm, Plough Publishing, is world-class. The Plough is easily my favourite journal—beautifully crafted, expertly laid out and always loaded with uplifting and thoughtful articles. So too, their books are amazing, featuring Eberhard Arnold’s works. Salt and Light is a must-read, accessible work on the Sermon on the Mount that I often use as required reading in my courses. But they also collate primary sources into works such as The Gospel in Great Writers series (Dickens, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Sayers, Hopkins, MacDonald, etc). And anyone researching the ideas behind and realities of intentional community will find a treasure-trove there.
Now, living in an intentional community is difficult for 21st-century individualists to understand. It involves a commitment that puts the common good and welfare of others ahead of one’s own ego needs and demands. It means setting aside self-will for submission to a community standard. But the fruit I saw was a flourishing community, sharing common property such that no one was neglected (including the old), everyone seemed to flourish, and everyone belonged. I suppose it is like joining a monastic order but being allowed to be married and have children--one worth further investigation. Something is working!
I’ll leave readers to research more by getting this beautiful book. Well worth buying!
Hi Brad and Eden,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-51310036
I came across this bbc piece today. After reading your article here a few days ago I have since been reflecting with wonder as to what life would be like to be immersed in such an environment.
This bbc piece suggests all is not so rosy in the garden. I was brought up man and boy inside of a hyper Calvinist church, and my experience is similar to the testimonies given in this piece. Not to go into any detail here but I can relate to testimony of mental tortures spoken of by those who grew up inside the movement.
Posted by: Paul Goodwin | November 22, 2020 at 09:38 AM