11 Facts About Eberhard Arnold

Eberhard Arnold was a German theologian and Christian writer.

Eberhard Arnold was the founder of the Bruderhof in 1920.

Eberhard Arnold's father was a doctor of theology and philosophy, and his paternal grandfather was a pastor and missionary of the Evangelical State Church of Prussia's older Provinces.

Eberhard Arnold engaged in Christian youth work and in evangelism among the poor through the Salvation Army.

Eberhard Arnold became troubled by the church's connection to the state, and in 1908, at age 25, Arnold was baptized and left the Protestant state church.

Eberhard Arnold began to thoroughly investigate Anabaptist history, which apparently influenced his taking his life and ministry in a radical direction.

When Eberhard Arnold discovered that Hutterite communities still existed in North America, he contacted them and engaged in a long period of correspondence.

Eberhard Arnold spent the last two years of his life suffering from a leg injury that would lead to his death, while attempting to shepherd his flock to safety.

Eberhard Arnold married his wife Emmy, nee von Hollander, 20 December 1910.

Eberhard Arnold outlived her husband by 45 years, following the Bruderhof to England, Paraguay, and eventually the United States.

The couple had five children: Emi-Margret, born 1911, Eberhard Arnold-Heinrich, called Hardy, born 1912, Johann Heinrich, called Heini, born 1913, Hans-Hermann, born 1916 and Monika, born 1918.