To help us understand the early Moravian view of human nature we turn to the esteemed bishop - August Gottlieb Spangenberg (1704 - 1792). The following quote is from his book, "Idea Fidei Fratrum, published in 1778.
“the whole human race, who are begotten and born of parents depraved both in soul and body, are likewise in soul and body depraved sinful creatures.
As a red hot iron is pervaded by fire, and a wet sponge by water, so are they likewise thoroughly pervaded by sin. And as a piece of ground, which lies under the curse brings spontaneously forth nothing but thrones and thistles; so do they also, unless they be amended by the grace of God, produce nothing but bad fruits.
Our Lord Jesus Christ informs us, that the heart of man is the source of wickedness … if then all these evil things come from within, and out of the heart, they must certainly have been first there, though concealed.”
Then follows this message of grace - the grace of God.
“From what has been said of man’s depravity, we are not to suppose that he is sunk into such a state as to be incapable of being any more renewed or reformed. For although he is become like a field, which spontaneously brings forth nothing but thorns and thistles, he may nevertheless, by Jesus Christ and for Christ’s sake, be changed into a soil which produces good fruit.”
To the Moravians a person could change “into soil which produces good fruit” by:
- Living with like believers who can guard, guide and support. The community and the family perform this function best.
- Following codes of conduct.
- Being supervised by parents, supervisors and ministers of the Gospel.
- Receiving instruction in the Christian faith.
- Worshiping the Holy God.
- Removing people who did not follow the rules.
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