The Martyr's Mirror

Elsa · Jun 11, 2009

Have you read it? (or at least bit of it?) If so, what are your thoughts on this important Anabaptist record?

Note: I tried to post a link to an online edition, but am not allowed to do so until I reach 50 posts.

liter · Jun 11, 2009

here ya go

Martyrs Mirror Online - Hearts On Fire!

MrJim · Jun 11, 2009

I've read a lot of passages out of it, and of course all the artwork. It's a wonder not many have heard of it outside anabaptist circles, but it isn't a pleasant piece of history for those in Protestant and Catholic circles that persecuted the anabaptists.

Antje · Jun 12, 2009

I've read parts of it, all quite some time ago so I don't remember many details.

yeshuaslavejeff · Jun 13, 2009

reading it is joyful and sorrowful, joy for the testimony of truth,
sorrow for the truth lovers being persecuted and put to death.
.
this is to happen again, today, now, and it has happened in this past 100 years,
and will happen continually now being becoming worse and worse until the
final day when The Master returns for His own who have held on 'till the end
even unto death without defending themselves.
Few are there who care.
Few are there who listen.
Many are deceived, willingly going along with the crowd they are in, caring for the approval of their family or friends or church instead of truth.

.

Elsa · Jun 13, 2009

Liter -- Thanks for the link.

Mr. Jim -- It is surprising, isn't it? But then, many don't know much about history in general, much less than that of Christianity.

Antje -- Did you come across it online, or elsewhere?

Yeshuaslavejeff -- Which stories affected you the most?

I was quite moved by the first account I ever read from it, the one about Dirk Willems and how he compassionately saved his pursuer from drowning, even though it meant that he himself would then be caught and put to death.

Antje · Jun 14, 2009

No, my parents had an abridged version of the book when I was young, I read it at home.

Elsa · Jun 15, 2009

Antje -- I suppose there would be some abridged versions out there, as it's rather lengthy.

Antje · Jun 15, 2009

No kidding!

Elsa · Jun 17, 2009

If anyone is from around North Newton, Kansas or plans to visit, there is a permanent exhibit based on the Martyrs' Mirror at the Kauffman museum:

www (dot) bethelks (dot) edu/kauffman/martyrs/index.html

TG123 · Jun 18, 2009

Elsa said:
Have you read it? (or at least bit of it?) If so, what are your thoughts on this important Anabaptist record?

Note: I tried to post a link to an online edition, but am not allowed to do so until I reach 50 posts.

Thanks for sharing this, I have a copy at my house. The anabaptists are an inspiration to me of how Jesus can be followed. They spoke the truth unflinchingly and helped the poor and opposed war at the same time. They were persecuted mercilessly for putting their faith into the living Christ instead of archaic rituals far removed from the teachings found in the Bible. They were arrested, imprisoned, beat up, beheaded and burnt alive by the powers of their day.

How many Christians in West openly speak out against the immoral filth of pornography and homosexuality and capitalism? How many take to the streets to protest our governments' murderous actions in Afghanistan and Iraq? How many of us are reaching out to the poor? How many of us refuse to go along with the power structures ruling over us?

The anabaptists were murdered because they placed God above government and society and religion. They were persecuted for following Jesus. Yet they changed Europe.

What would happen if we started doing the same? How many Mennonite churches are as openly antiwar and aggressively pro-truth as the anabatists were?

Elsa · Jun 18, 2009

Hello TG123 --

What version do you have? It's great to see that you've been inspired.

TG123 · Jun 19, 2009

Elsa said:
Hello TG123 --

What version do you have? It's great to see that you've been inspired.

I'm really not sure which version it is, I didn't know there was more than one version. The anabaptists are definitely an inspiration to me, they should be to all Christians.

Elsa · Jun 19, 2009

As with any book that's been around for awhile, there have been several translations and editions. In modern publications, if one looks in the front page or so, there should be an ISBN number or Library of Congress number that helps others to know which particular version is being discussed.

I myself have only read it online or in excerpts from other books, but am looking to get a copy for our home.

WayneinMaine · Jun 19, 2009

TG123 said:
Thanks for sharing this, I have a copy at my house. The anabaptists are an inspiration to me of how Jesus can be followed. They spoke the truth unflinchingly and helped the poor and opposed war at the same time. They were persecuted mercilessly for putting their faith into the living Christ instead of archaic rituals far removed from the teachings found in the Bible. They were arrested, imprisoned, beat up, beheaded and burnt alive by the powers of their day.

How many Christians in West openly speak out against the immoral filth of pornography and homosexuality and capitalism? How many take to the streets to protest our governments' murderous actions in Afghanistan and Iraq? How many of us are reaching out to the poor? How many of us refuse to go along with the power structures ruling over us?

The anabaptists were murdered because they placed God above government and society and religion. They were persecuted for following Jesus. Yet they changed Europe.

What would happen if we started doing the same? How many Mennonite churches are as openly antiwar and aggressively pro-truth as the anabatists were?

Hmmmm...

I don't think the sort of political protest and resistance you are calling for is really emulation of the early Anabaptists. They separated themselves from society and from the government, they even recognized the government's right to "the sword", but recognized that it had no place in a Christin's hand. They did not protest social ills and oppressive governments, they created an alternative society -the most extreme (and successful) example being the communal Hutterites. They did not protest or try to reform society, they called men out, whose hearts were drawn to the good news of the kingdom of God.

The Martyr's Mirror

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