How Moravian Are the Moravians?: The Paradox of Moravian Identity

abstract:In this article, the author sets forth the paradoxes and shortcomings of the designation "Moravian" for the Moravian Church as the name does neither refer to the historical place of origin nor to the ethnic identity of its members. Furthermore, the name suggests a larger degree of continuity between the Ancient Unity of Brethren and the Renewed Moravian Church than many historians are willing to accept. In fact, so the author argues, the previously widely accepted name Unity of Brethren expresses the theological foundations of Moravian identity much better. The author concludes that the name "Moravian" stands for an association with a story, similar to the narrative theology of the Bible. This is the story of those who left Moravia to form a new community of faith, binding together people from different cultures and backgrounds.