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Anabaptist theology

Anabaptist theology, also known as Anabaptist doctrine, is a theological tradition reflecting the doctrine of the Anabaptist Churches. The major branches of Anabaptist Christianity (inclusive of Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, Bruderhof, Schwarzenau Brethren, River Brethren and Apostolic Christians) agree on core doctrines but have nuances in practice. While the adherence to doctrine is important in Anabaptist Christianity, living righteously is stressed to a greater degree.

Important sources for Anabaptist doctrine are the Schleitheim Confession and the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, both of which have been held by many Anabaptist Churches throughout history.[1][2]


Daniel Kauffman, a bishop of the Mennonite Church, codified Anabaptist beliefs in the influential text Doctrines of the Bible, which continues to be widely used in catechesis.[2]


John S. Oyer states that the Old Order Amish have an implicit theology that can be found in their biblical hermeneutics, but take little interest in explicit, formal, and systematic theology. It is easier to find out about their implicit theology in talking with them than reading written documents.[3] According to Oyer, their implicit theology is practical, not theoretical.[4] The most important written source of Amish theology, according to Oyer, is "1001 Questions and Answers on the Christian Life".[5][6]


The Hutterites possess an account of their belief written by Peter Riedemann (Rechenschafft unserer Religion, Leer und Glaubens) and theological tracts and letters by Hans Schlaffer, Leonhard Schiemer and Ambrosius Spittelmaier are extant.[7]

Christology[edit]

Christology addresses the person and work of Jesus Christ, relative to his divinity, humanity, and work of salvation. Anabaptist Christology "emphasize[s] the significance of Jesus as our moral example."[17]


The 16th-century Anabaptists were orthodox Trinitarians accepting both the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ and salvation through his death on the cross.


Menno Simons, the father of the Mennonite tradition of Anabaptism, concluded: "In the same manner the heavenly Seed, namely, the Word of God, was sown in Mary, and by her faith, being conceived in her by the Holy Ghost, became flesh, and was nurtured in her body; and thus it is called the fruit of her womb, that same as a natural fruit or offspring is called the fruit of its natural mother."

Ecclesiology[edit]

With respect to ecclesiology, Anabaptist theology "calls people to churches, where disciples of Christ strive together to deny the flesh and the world and to pattern themselves into the perfect image of their Master."[38] The Church is "a vessel charged with delivering souls to the throne of God" and thus provides the faithful with guidelines, such as those concerning modesty.[38]

Forgiveness[edit]

Anabaptist doctrine stresses practicing forgiveness.[43] For example, in instances where drivers of automobiles get into accidents with horse-drawn buggies resulting in the deaths of Old Order Amish people, among other situations, their families forgive the perpetrator.[43][44] In cases of accidents, Old Order Amish often are contacted by lawyers who encourage them to file lawsuits; the Old Order Amish reject these overtures as being in conflict with their Christian religious beliefs, holding that "We don't believe in taking advantage of someone and taking their money".[43] Reflecting the principles of peace and nonresistance, Anabaptist religious beliefs do not permit the filing of lawsuits (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:1–8).[45][46] Representatives of the Old Order Amish community have said that they "would rather be short on the money" than file a lawsuit.[45]

Mennonites

Old Colony Mennonites

Conservative Mennonites

Old Order Mennonite

Martyrs Mirror

Bangs, Carl (1985). Wipf & Stock (ed.). Arminius: A Study in the Dutch Reformation. Eugene.{{}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

cite book

Bender, Harold S. (1953). . Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online.

"Arminianism"

Eby, Edwin R. (2020). . Anabaptist Resources. Retrieved 19 May 2022.

"How Secure Is a Believer?"

González, Antonio (2007). . The Conrad Grebel Review. 25 (2).

"Grace and Freedom: An Anabaptist Perspective"

MacGregor, Kirk R. (2023). (PDF). The Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry. 20 (2): 173–188.

"Fallen Humanity and Its Redemption: Mainstream Sixteenth-Century Anabaptist Views vis-à-vis Arminian Baptist and Traditional Baptist Positions"

Sutton, Jerry (2012). (PDF). Midwestern Journal of Theology. 11 (2): 121–139.

"Anabaptism and James Arminius: A Study in Soteriological Kinship and Its Implications"

Kauffman, Daniel (1898). . Elkhart: Mennonite Publishing Co.

Manual of Bible Doctrines

Martin, Harold S. (1971). . Hanover: Bible Helps Publications.

The Bible Doctrine of Nonresistance

: Is there an Amish Theology, in Lydie Hege et Christoph Wiebe: Les Amish : origine et particularismes 1693–1993, The Amish : origin and characteristics 1693–1993, Ingersheim, 1996, pages 278–302.

John S. Oyer

1001 Questions and Answers on the Christian Life, written by 20 members of the Amish ministry and lay people in various communities, published by Pathway Publishers, Aylmer, Ontario and Lagrange, Indiana, 1992.

John D. Rempel: Lords Supper In Anabaptism; A Study In The Christology Of Balthasar Hubmaier, Pilgram Marpeck, And Dirk Philips, Toronto, 1986.

Shank, Tom (1992). . Eureka: Torch Publications.

"…Let Her Be Veiled.": An in-depth study of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Coblentz, John (1992). What the Bible Says About Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage. : Christian Light Publications. ISBN 9780878135448.

Harrisonburg

Robert J. Friedmann: The Theology of Anabaptism: An Interpretation, (Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History), Harrisonburg, Virginia, 1973.

William Klassen: Covenant and Community: the Life and Writing of Pilgram Marpeck, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1968.

Rollin S. Armour: Anabaptist Baptism: A Representative Study, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, 1966.

Taylor, Dean (2008). What the Bible Says About Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage. : New Testament Churchsource.

Loxahatchee

Franklin H. Littell: The Anabaptist View of the Church, Philadelphia, 1952.

Topical articles on Anabaptist doctrine - Pilgrim Mennonite Conference

Topical Articles about Anabaptist theology - Bible Helps Publications

The Radical Reformation: Resources

Pilgrim Ministry: Anabaptist church directory