The Anabaptist Vision

[Danfrey]

During my research today I came across an essay written by Harold S. Bender that I thought many of you would enjoy. It was written in 1944 and gives a great overview of 16th century Anabaptism.

The Anabaptist Vision
by Harold S. Bender

 

[MrJim]

A classic work, I've got my copy somewhere...

For those not inclined to read the entire speech (it's really not that long) the Anabaptist Vision is basically these three points [all copied from the writing] and are still as valid today as when Bro. Bender spoke them:

[SIZE=-1]First and fundamental in the Anabaptist vision was the conception of the essence of Christianity as discipleship[/SIZE][SIZE=-1].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]It was a concept which meant the transformation of the entire way of life of the individual believer and of society so that it should be fashioned after the teachings and example of Christ [/SIZE][SIZE=-1][26] The Anabaptists could not understand a Christianity which made regeneration, holiness and love primarily a matter of intellect, of doctrinal belief, or of subjective "experience," rather than one of the transformation of life. They demanded an outward expression of the inner experience. Repentance must be "evidenced" by newness of behavior.

[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]As a second major element in the Anabaptist vision, a new concept of the church was created by the central principle of newness of life and applied Christianity.[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Voluntary church membership based upon true conversion and involving a commitment to holy living and discipleship was the absolutely essential heart of this concept.

[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]The third great element in the Anabaptist vision was the ethic of love and nonresistance as applied to all human relationships.[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]The Brethren understood this to mean complete abandonment of all warfare, strife, and violence, and of the taking of human life. [/SIZE][SIZE=-1][54] Conrad Grebel, the Swiss. said in 1524:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]True Christians use neither worldly sword nor engage in war, since among them taking human life has ceased entirely, for we are no longer under the Old Covenant.... The Gospel and those who accept it are not to be protected with the sword, neither should they thus protect themselves. [/SIZE][SIZE=-1][55][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-1]Pilgram Marpeck, the South German leader, in 1544, speaking of Matthew 5, said:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]All bodily, worldly, carnal, earthly fightings, conflicts, and wars are annulled and abolished among them through such law... which law of love Christ... Himself observed and thereby gave His followers a pattern to follow after. [/SIZE][SIZE=-1][56][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-1]Peter Riedemann, the Hutterian leader, wrote in 1545:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Christ, the Prince of Peace, has established His Kingdom, that is, His Church, and has purchased it by His blood. In this kingdom all worldly warfare has ended. Therefore a Christian has no part in war nor does he wield the sword to execute vengeance. [/SIZE][SIZE=-1][57][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-1]Menno Simons, of Holland, wrote in 1550:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1][The regenerated do not go to war, nor engage in strife.]... They are the children of peace who have beaten their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and know of no war.... Spears and swords of iron we leave to those who, alas, consider human blood and swine's blood of well-nigh equal value. [/SIZE][SIZE=-1][58][/SIZE]





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