2. Everything has a History

Things are the way they are for a reason. Our traditions, customs, practices have changed over time to become what they are today. What 2-3 Hutterite traditions, customs, or other aspects of Hutterite culture/life are you curious about? (I will make an effort to answer these questions in class throughout the year so please make an effort to be thoughtful. Why do we have "greipn" at lunch on Saturday is probably not a good question to ask.)
2-3 answers wanted.
Due 1/8/18

Comments

  1. 1. Why do Hutterites wear a black hat and black suit to church and other gatherings?
    2. Why do Hutterites have short church sessions every day, and a 75 minute sermon every Sunday?

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    1. The early traditional style originates from the German and Austrian national costume: black Lederhosen and suspenders for men and boys. Over the years, Hutterites have modified these to make them more serviceable and comfortable. In addition to its value as a cultural tradition, this outward symbol of unity and modesty is an integral part of their faith life, identifying and reminding them who they are as a people, in the spirit of the Old Testament Jewish tradition described in Numbers 15:39-40: "It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.

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  2. Why is it not allowed to go to town without asking the head of the colony?
    What difference would it make if we would stop wearing black when going to church or going to Sunday school?

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    Replies
    1. Nandri, basically so everything is done in an orderly manner. We only have enough vehicles to meet the need of the colony, and if there is no accountability there would soon be chaos.

      Personally, I see not biblical reason for wearing black, but our colony practices this, so I can only say it is nothing more than a tradition at this point. But it could also be so the ladies do not become distracted with each others dresses during church services since they like dresses so much "wink, wink"

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  3. 1. Why do we have to answer all the questions in a book when we want to baptize?
    2. Are Hutterites true lights to the world, and do people actually see we are Christians?

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    1. Each question that the baptismal candidates answer at a baptism ceremony are based on the bible and Jesus' teaching of wholehearted discipleship. Baptism mean to surrender or submit to somebody; Christian baptism means to surrender or submit to the Lordship of Jesus and His Body, the Church. If one is not wholly surrendered to either Jesus or His Body, the Church, they are unfruitful members and will soon fall away, unless they repent.

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  4. I am wondering why I cannot have a large dog I want?
    I also want to know why we cannot get horses? I would treat this horse well, ride them, and feed feed them, and exercise them? I REALLY WANT A HORSES!!

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    1. Most items are given out according to the need (Acts 2:44-47; Acts 4:32-35).

      Nadia, the horse would need to be fed, and they require a lot of feed, and this has to be paid for. We hardly find enough hay for our cattle, especially in dry years.

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    2. Why can't you have a large dog? Well, one reason might be, the bigger the dog, the more dangerous it is. You live in a community where the members do not have to pay their own doctor bills. So, if somebody gets hurt by your dog, it could place unnecessary financial burdens on the community, and because of this, the management has decided not to allow community members to have large dogs (this is just my thoughts on why they don't allow this).

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  5. i am wondering why musical instruments were never a part of the Hutterite culture and why can't we have any? King David had a harp in the Bible and He sang and worshiped our Lord with it.

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    1. Well, from my own personal experience I would say that using musical instruments can lead somebody to put too much emphasis on the beautiful sound of the music instead of the words and message. So in the end it is more about entertainment than about glorifying God and about edifying the listeners.

      Kenny from Baker once wrote a nice discussion surrounding this issue. Nice read, but probable doesn't answer your question.

      https://askahutterite.com/2012/07/12/question-hutterites-and-musical-instruments/

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  6. I wonder why the ladies an
    d men sit separately at meals and church?
    Not that I want too sit a other way then we do its just something I've been wondering.:)

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