Neither “Kriegerisch” nor “Quäkerisch”: Moravians and the Question of Violence in Eighteenth-Century Pennsylvania

The moral dilemma created by violence, warfare, and coercive power has vexed the Christian tradition for centuries. While institutional forms of Christianity have routinely justified violence by appealing to Just War ethics, the historic peace churches have rejected this justification, believing instead that violence and warfare are not compatible with Christian morality. Although these issues have been examined within the context of other peace churches, less critical attention has been paid to the Moravians with regard to the question of violence. Giving due emphasis to the teachings of Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, this article seeks to provide a nuanced and primarily theological treatment of Moravian pacifism that acknowledges the complexity and tensions that existed as Moravians navigated the challenges of a violent frontier and the American Revolution. It argues that eighteenth-century Moravians operated with a strong peace ethic, but allowed for flexibility and freedom of conscience. In short, Moravians fostered a religious culture that rejected needless conflict as well as rigid absolutes.