Editing Hutterites (section)

== Theology ==
Contrary to other traditional [[Anabaptist]] groups, like the Amish, the [[Old Order Mennonites]] and the [[Old Colony Mennonites]], who have almost no written books about [[Theology of Anabaptism|Anabaptist theology]], the Hutterites possess an account of their beliefs, ''Account of Our Religion, Doctrine and Faith, of the brethren who are called Hutterites'' (original German title {{Lang|de|Rechenschafft unserer Religion, Leer und Glaubens}}), written by [[Peter Riedemann]] in 1540–1541. There are also extant theological tracts and letters by Hans Schlaffer, Leonhard Schiemer, and Ambrosius Spittelmaier.<ref>[https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/sfz123632.html Ambrosius Spittelmaier] at deutsche-biographie.de</ref>

The founder of the Hutterite tradition, [[Jakob Hutter]], "established the Hutterite colonies on the basis of the [[Schleitheim Confession]], a classic Anabaptist statement of faith".<ref name="Linder2008"/><ref name="PDFC1990"/> In accordance with this confession of faith, Hutterite theology emphasizes [[credobaptism]], a belief in the [[Church invisible]], [[Christian pacifism]], and the rejection of oaths.<ref name="PDFC1990"/> The Hutterite Churches also believe in "a set of community rules for Christian living and the [[doctrine of separation|principle of worldly separation]]".<ref name="PDFC1990"/> Former members are shunned and are not to be spoken to.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Friesen |first1=J. |last2=Friesen |first2=Virginia |title=The Palgrave Companion to North American Utopias |date=2016 |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |isbn=9781403982230 |page=266}}</ref>