Disambiguation
The Brethren, while a fairly homogenous group for much of their history, do have a large number of different groups that have broken off from one another at varying times for varying reasons. Complicating the understanding of which group exactly is which, they frequently used the same or similar names, or used terminology that today does not carry the same implicit connotations and is therefore difficult to discern without help.
The Brethren Encyclopedia is hugely helpful in this regard as it has definitions of the myriad groups, as well as charts, timelines, and maps that depict additional detailed information. I will start with a description of “the split” (“the division”) below – a large schism in the church in the late 1800’s, and then roughly outline below those groups that are directly related to the ancestors in the Miller family thus far.
“The Split” or “The Division”
This term refers to the schism that happened in the church groups in the 1880s. Sentiment began to shift between more evangelical members (known the “progressives”), more traditional members (arose out of the “Old Order Movement”), and more moderate members at the time.
The first of these groups to official break off from the others was the more traditional group, which would take on the name “Old German Baptist Brethren,” beginning with the Beaverdam, MD congregation in 1880 and continuing through the mid-1880s. (Source: Brethren Encyclopedia, Vol. 2 P. 996-997).
Brethren (neu-täufer)(Abbreviation: B-nt) (Alt: German Baptist Brethren)
This is the primary line of Brethren before the split in 1883. It was alternatively known by the names German Baptist, or German Baptist Brethren and existed as such from 1708-1908 when the church name was changed to The Church of the Brethren (COB).
The vast majority of the Miller family historically has fallen into this category of Brethren – particularly as the split was more widespread and had a greater impact in the northern and mid-western areas of the church (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana), than it did in Virginia.
Brethren Church (BC) & Subsequent Groups
The Brethren Church was the “progressive” more evangelistic line of brethren that broke off from the main church body in 1883. The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) broke off from this group in 1939.
Church of the Brethren (Abbreviation: COB 1908- )
This was the most sizable group of Brethren after the split. Brethren/German Baptist Brethren renamed their group to “The Church of the Brethren” in 1908 and continue with this name today. The are considered to be the moderate or center-line theologically speaking, of the various Brethren groups.
Old German Baptist Brethren (OGBB)
This is the conservative branch that broke off from the German Baptist Brethren in the early to mid-1880s and arose out of the “Old Order Movement.” These Brethren remain distant from civilization and may be confused with the Amish by outsiders. The OGBB theology recognizes a “fallen” human-nature and the necessity for redemption and redemptive work. They share many of the traditional Brethren doctrines including non-resistance (commonly misattributed as “pacifism”), nonconformity to the world, the sanctity of the marriage vow, and a refusal to swear oaths. The Brethren Encyclopedia describes this group as, “tend[ing] to be legalistic in their interpretation of Scriptures and church council decisions…” (Brethren Encyclopedia, Vol. 2 P. 996-997)