South German Anabaptists

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Approximate distribution of the Upper and Central German Anabaptist movement during the Reformation period (in blue)

The term South German Anabaptists (also Upper German Anabaptists ) refers to the radical Reformation Anabaptist movement of the 16th century that was widespread in Austria , southern and central Germany .

history

The South German Anabaptists were still strongly influenced by Thomas Müntzer , as is clear from the example of Hans Hut , who represented an apocalyptic theology. In some cases, however, there were also strong spiritualistic tendencies, as is clear from the example of Hans Denck . The South German Anabaptists differed from the more biblical Swiss Anabaptists on both points . Other central figures of the South German Anabaptist movement were Leonhard Schiemer , Hans Schlaffer and Melchior Rinck . The latter represented a strongly ethical Christianity. The centers of the South German Anabaptist movement were among others the Franconian Königsberg and Augsburg . The so-called Augsburg Synod of Martyrs also took place in Augsburg in August 1527 , at which representatives of Hans Huts, Hans Denck and the Swiss Anabaptist met. Also Strasbourg played a not insignificant role. The city also acted as an interface between the southern German, Swiss and partly also the northern German-Dutch Anabaptist movement of the Melchiorites .

As a result of increasing persecution, there was also a not insignificant migration to Moravia from southern Germany and Austria , where groups such as the Austerlitz brothers, the Gabriel , Philippians , Sabbathers and, above all, the Hutterites emerged. The latter group still exists today as an independent Anabaptist denomination and in the first few years consisted mainly of Tyrolean Anabaptists who fled to Moravia.

Pilgram Marpeck had a significant influence on the southern German Anabaptists , who networked many mainly urban Anabaptist congregations in the Marpeck district in southern Germany and was looking for a union of more biblical and spiritualistic congregations.

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