http://anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=What_Does_It_Mean_to_Be_Mennonite%3F_Steve_G_Troyer,_April_1999_(United_States)&feed=atom&action=historyWhat Does It Mean to Be Mennonite? Steve G Troyer, April 1999 (United States) - Revision history2024-03-29T13:04:41ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.35.2http://anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=What_Does_It_Mean_to_Be_Mennonite%3F_Steve_G_Troyer,_April_1999_(United_States)&diff=14398&oldid=prevElizabethMiller at 19:28, 7 May 20152015-05-07T19:28:20Z<p></p>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>''Return to [[<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Stories</del>]]''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>''Return to [[<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Why I Am Mennonite Essays; Goshen College; Goshen, IN; April 1999</ins>]]''</div></td></tr>
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</table>ElizabethMillerhttp://anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=What_Does_It_Mean_to_Be_Mennonite%3F_Steve_G_Troyer,_April_1999_(United_States)&diff=4889&oldid=prevJacobs8 at 15:08, 26 July 20102010-07-26T15:08:34Z<p></p>
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</table>Jacobs8http://anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=What_Does_It_Mean_to_Be_Mennonite%3F_Steve_G_Troyer,_April_1999_(United_States)&diff=3519&oldid=prevJacobs8 at 15:17, 29 June 20102010-06-29T15:17:20Z<p></p>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>leader or group is studied and who does the studying.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>leader or group is studied and who does the studying.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>It is limiting to define a broad movement such as Anabaptism by one</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>It is limiting to define a broad movement such as Anabaptism by one</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>document or summation, but this is at least a useful place to start. The</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>document or summation, but this is at least a useful place to start. The</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>of Christian love." These ideas are a good place to start in understanding</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>of Christian love." These ideas are a good place to start in understanding</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>early Anabaptism.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>early Anabaptism.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The idea of discipleship was central to early Anabaptist thought, and it</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The idea of discipleship was central to early Anabaptist thought, and it</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>is still important today. The Anabaptists made the radical claim that</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>is still important today. The Anabaptists made the radical claim that</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>separatist church of faith, which the state-sponsored churches saw as a</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>separatist church of faith, which the state-sponsored churches saw as a</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>direct threat and abomination.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>direct threat and abomination.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The Anabaptists saw themselves as living in a world with a sharp division</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The Anabaptists saw themselves as living in a world with a sharp division</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>between good and evil. They recognized that their beliefs and pious life</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>between good and evil. They recognized that their beliefs and pious life</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Anabaptists saw themselves as not only separate from the government, but</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Anabaptists saw themselves as not only separate from the government, but</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>also separate from the entire world outside of the church.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>also separate from the entire world outside of the church.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Is the modern Mennonite Church separate from the world? Obviously we are</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Is the modern Mennonite Church separate from the world? Obviously we are</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>not separate to the degree of the early Anabaptists. Indeed, it would be</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>not separate to the degree of the early Anabaptists. Indeed, it would be</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l57" >Line 57:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 57:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>faith. Without a constant reminder of the price of radical discipleship, we</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>faith. Without a constant reminder of the price of radical discipleship, we</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>begin to lose our distinctiveness.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>begin to lose our distinctiveness.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>An important question to ask is: is our success as a church defined by our</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>An important question to ask is: is our success as a church defined by our</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>separation from the rest of society? Is assimilation failure? This is not</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>separation from the rest of society? Is assimilation failure? This is not</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l72" >Line 72:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 72:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>that following Christ necessarily changes one's life, we had better be</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>that following Christ necessarily changes one's life, we had better be</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>ready to explain how it has changed ours.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>ready to explain how it has changed ours.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>In the sixteenth century, the Anabaptists were set apart by their refusal</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>In the sixteenth century, the Anabaptists were set apart by their refusal</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>to support or serve in the military, their refusal to swear oaths, and</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>to support or serve in the military, their refusal to swear oaths, and</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l80" >Line 80:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 80:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>institution. The Anabaptists beliefs were so different; they seemed</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>institution. The Anabaptists beliefs were so different; they seemed</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>revolutionary-dangerous.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>revolutionary-dangerous.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>In the modern era, in the United States, some of these radical beliefs are</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>In the modern era, in the United States, some of these radical beliefs are</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>not so radical anymore. Oaths are hardly present in modern society and the</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>not so radical anymore. Oaths are hardly present in modern society and the</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l91" >Line 91:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 91:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>set ourselves above society, but to bring into question the accepted ways</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>set ourselves above society, but to bring into question the accepted ways</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>of doing things; to disrupt the unquestioned status quo by example.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>of doing things; to disrupt the unquestioned status quo by example.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>One of the most radical and misunderstood Mennonite beliefs is our</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>One of the most radical and misunderstood Mennonite beliefs is our</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>rejection of war and violence. Like the Anabaptists, we believe Christ has</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>rejection of war and violence. Like the Anabaptists, we believe Christ has</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l104" >Line 104:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 104:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>others, we have a great opportunity for witness. We can remind society that</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>others, we have a great opportunity for witness. We can remind society that</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>there are other options, that violence is not the only answer.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>there are other options, that violence is not the only answer.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>We can express our belief in nonviolence in other ways as well. There is a</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>We can express our belief in nonviolence in other ways as well. There is a</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>great need for a new way of dealing with crime and violence in society.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>great need for a new way of dealing with crime and violence in society.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l121" >Line 121:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 121:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>up in violence. Again, we will probably not be universally accepted or</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>up in violence. Again, we will probably not be universally accepted or</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>understood, but we will at least get people thinking.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>understood, but we will at least get people thinking.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Jesus taught a great deal about economics, and this is another area where</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Jesus taught a great deal about economics, and this is another area where</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Mennonites can be a witness to the world. The United States suffers from</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Mennonites can be a witness to the world. The United States suffers from</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l137" >Line 137:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 137:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>live in poverty, but he can't approve of church members buying extravagant</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>live in poverty, but he can't approve of church members buying extravagant</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>cars and houses while others suffer.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>cars and houses while others suffer.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Finally, Mennonites have unique wisdom to offer with regards to the</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Finally, Mennonites have unique wisdom to offer with regards to the</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>concept of nation and ultimate allegiance. We realize that the national</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>concept of nation and ultimate allegiance. We realize that the national</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l153" >Line 153:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 153:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>about reconciliation, healing of relationships, and right treatment of all,</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>about reconciliation, healing of relationships, and right treatment of all,</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>whether American or not.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>whether American or not.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The above examples are just a few issues on which Mennonites hold a unique</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The above examples are just a few issues on which Mennonites hold a unique</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>perspective. There are many issues today where radical obedience to Christ</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>perspective. There are many issues today where radical obedience to Christ</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>radical discipleship, we must follow Christ's example without thought of</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>radical discipleship, we must follow Christ's example without thought of</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>''This essay was completed for an Anabaptist/Mennonite History class at Goshen College in April 1999''.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202122; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #eaecf0; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>''This essay was completed for an Anabaptist/Mennonite History class at Goshen College in April 1999''.</div></td></tr>
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</table>Jacobs8http://anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=What_Does_It_Mean_to_Be_Mennonite%3F_Steve_G_Troyer,_April_1999_(United_States)&diff=1411&oldid=prevHarms.Matt at 15:15, 7 August 20092009-08-07T15:15:47Z<p></p>
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</table>Harms.Matthttp://anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=What_Does_It_Mean_to_Be_Mennonite%3F_Steve_G_Troyer,_April_1999_(United_States)&diff=1266&oldid=prevHarms.Matt: Protected "What Does It Mean to Be Mennonite? Steve G Troyer, April 1999 (United States)" [edit=sysop:move=sysop]2009-08-06T16:13:27Z<p>Protected "<a href="/mediawiki/index.php?title=What_Does_It_Mean_to_Be_Mennonite%3F_Steve_G_Troyer,_April_1999_(United_States)" title="What Does It Mean to Be Mennonite? Steve G Troyer, April 1999 (United States)">What Does It Mean to Be Mennonite? Steve G Troyer, April 1999 (United States)</a>" [edit=sysop:move=sysop]</p>
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</td></tr></table>Harms.Matthttp://anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=What_Does_It_Mean_to_Be_Mennonite%3F_Steve_G_Troyer,_April_1999_(United_States)&diff=1265&oldid=prevHarms.Matt: New page: {{Languages}} ''Return to Stories'' <div style="width:75%"> It is hard to determine exactly what it means to be a Mennonite. We are a distinctive group, but many of our distinctions a...2009-08-06T16:13:12Z<p>New page: {{Languages}} ''Return to <a href="/mediawiki/index.php?title=Stories" title="Stories">Stories</a>'' <div style="width:75%"> It is hard to determine exactly what it means to be a Mennonite. We are a distinctive group, but many of our distinctions a...</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Languages}}<br />
''Return to [[Stories]]''<br />
<br />
<div style="width:75%"><br />
It is hard to determine exactly what it means to be a Mennonite. We are a<br />
distinctive group, but many of our distinctions are more cultural than<br />
religious. And if one looks to the past to obtain a Mennonite identity, one<br />
learns that sixteenth century Anabaptist beliefs and practices are very<br />
different from what we are used to today. In addition, the historical<br />
picture is far from clear, offering several viewpoints depending on what<br />
leader or group is studied and who does the studying.<br />
<br />
It is limiting to define a broad movement such as Anabaptism by one<br />
document or summation, but this is at least a useful place to start. The<br />
sixteenth century beliefs of the Swiss Brethren are summarized in the<br />
Schleitheim Confession, an attempt by church leaders to come to agreement<br />
on several points of faith. They came up with seven articles concerning:<br />
baptism, the ban, breaking of bread, separation from abomination, shepherds<br />
in the congregation, the sword, and the oath. In the Confession, we see a<br />
picture of a radical church, separate and distinct from the world,<br />
including all other churches. Some of the Confession's statements seem<br />
familiar to a modern Mennonite, while others seem quite surprising. Leonard<br />
Gross summarizes the key ideas in this picture of Anabaptism: "the nature<br />
of Christian obedience, the idea of the gathered people of God, and the way<br />
of Christian love." These ideas are a good place to start in understanding<br />
early Anabaptism.<br />
<br />
The idea of discipleship was central to early Anabaptist thought, and it<br />
is still important today. The Anabaptists made the radical claim that<br />
Christians should take all of Scripture, especially the words of Christ,<br />
literally and live like Christ did. This implied a radically different way<br />
of relating to each other, to the poor, and to the government. Notably, the<br />
government mistrusted Anabaptists because they refused to serve in the<br />
military and refused to swear oaths. In addition, they were part of a<br />
separatist church of faith, which the state-sponsored churches saw as a<br />
direct threat and abomination.<br />
<br />
The Anabaptists saw themselves as living in a world with a sharp division<br />
between good and evil. They recognized that their beliefs and pious life<br />
separated them fundamentally from the "sinful" world. The world ignored the<br />
commands of Christ, living however suited them. The world heavily<br />
persecuted the Anabaptists, killing or exiling their leaders and fining<br />
them into poverty. In this context, it is easy to understand why the<br />
Anabaptists saw themselves as not only separate from the government, but<br />
also separate from the entire world outside of the church.<br />
<br />
Is the modern Mennonite Church separate from the world? Obviously we are<br />
not separate to the degree of the early Anabaptists. Indeed, it would be<br />
easy to argue that we are not separate at all. We are hardly recognized as<br />
a separate denomination, let alone a radical separatist sect whose beliefs<br />
and practices visibly set us apart from the rest of the world. There are<br />
reasons for this change. The world has ceased to persecute us. It is now<br />
possible for a committed Mennonite to be a normal part of society, at least<br />
in times of peace. Religious toleration permits us be pacifist, refuse to<br />
swear the oath, and even drive a buggy, if we so choose. Unfortunately,<br />
this toleration has allowed Mennonites to become more relaxed in their<br />
faith. Without a constant reminder of the price of radical discipleship, we<br />
begin to lose our distinctiveness.<br />
<br />
An important question to ask is: is our success as a church defined by our<br />
separation from the rest of society? Is assimilation failure? This is not<br />
an easy question to answer. Yes, our Anabaptist forerunners were very<br />
separate from the world, but this was more a reality of the times than a<br />
point of faith. Now that the times have changed, is there a need to still<br />
be separate from the world, a world which seems to accept us? There is<br />
value in being visibly different from our neighbors. The Anabaptists lived<br />
such radically pious lives that everyone else had to notice, even if they<br />
didn't agree. The Amish are visibly different from society. Few wish to<br />
emulate their lifestyle, but yet they are viewed as an icon of purity and<br />
discipleship among wider society. Does society take such notice of us? If<br />
the world sees nothing different about us, what is our witness? If we claim<br />
that following Christ necessarily changes one's life, we had better be<br />
ready to explain how it has changed ours.<br />
<br />
In the sixteenth century, the Anabaptists were set apart by their refusal<br />
to support or serve in the military, their refusal to swear oaths, and<br />
their idea of a voluntary believers church. This was in a society where all<br />
were expected to take a turn serving as a magistrate, oaths were central to<br />
government and commerce, and the state church was an unquestioned<br />
institution. The Anabaptists beliefs were so different; they seemed<br />
revolutionary-dangerous.<br />
<br />
In the modern era, in the United States, some of these radical beliefs are<br />
not so radical anymore. Oaths are hardly present in modern society and the<br />
voluntary believers church is one of the principles the country is founded<br />
on. We need to think about what Mennonite beliefs are radical today.<br />
Radical discipleship still has radical ramifications, consequences that are<br />
alien to modern society. If we take our faith seriously, we will be<br />
separate from the world. People will question us. I would propose that we<br />
seek to emphasize these aspects of our faith, not to alienate or somehow<br />
set ourselves above society, but to bring into question the accepted ways<br />
of doing things; to disrupt the unquestioned status quo by example.<br />
<br />
One of the most radical and misunderstood Mennonite beliefs is our<br />
rejection of war and violence. Like the Anabaptists, we believe Christ has<br />
called us to a new life of peace. We are to love our enemy, not kill him or<br />
her. We refuse to serve in the military. We have achieved the right to<br />
perform alternative service instead of military service in wartime. We<br />
publicly question the necessity for the United States's large standing army<br />
and the taxes that support it. We question the all too frequent use of this<br />
military to solve all problems. This stance brings us into conflict with<br />
society. It is not normal to question the morality of a standing army. We<br />
are not understood. While we must remain sensitive to the beliefs of<br />
others, we have a great opportunity for witness. We can remind society that<br />
there are other options, that violence is not the only answer.<br />
<br />
We can express our belief in nonviolence in other ways as well. There is a<br />
great need for a new way of dealing with crime and violence in society.<br />
Mennonites can be a great witness by advocating and demonstrating<br />
alternative forms of justice. Jesus' idea of justice was reconciliation<br />
between parties. If we believe this way, we should strive first to be an<br />
example of peace and reconciliation with each other and the rest of the<br />
world. Second, we should work to act as a reconciling force in the world.<br />
Organizations such as Christian Peacemaker Teams and Violence Intervention<br />
Project work on an international and regional level to try to reconcile<br />
conflicting parties without resorting to violence or lawsuits. The<br />
practices of these organizations are new and unusual. We are not used to<br />
thinking of criminals as people needing healing: we just want them locked<br />
up. More widespread questioning of existing justice systems and<br />
demonstration of alternative strategies will be a witness to a world caught<br />
up in violence. Again, we will probably not be universally accepted or<br />
understood, but we will at least get people thinking.<br />
<br />
Jesus taught a great deal about economics, and this is another area where<br />
Mennonites can be a witness to the world. The United States suffers from<br />
extreme consumerism and materialism. Amassing wealth is the ultimate goal.<br />
Christ, however, taught that riches are not to be desired. The love of<br />
money comes between God and us. If our priorities are truly focused on<br />
Christ and Scripture, we should view money much differently than the<br />
average North American. The money we earn is not ours, it is God's. We are<br />
only entrusted our possessions as caretakers, not as owners. Therefore, if<br />
we have more than we need we are called to help those less fortunate. The<br />
concept of not owning our property is radical, and disturbing to a modern<br />
mind. We like to think that what we earn through work is ours, and we can<br />
do with it what we like. Mennonites should demonstrate a different view of<br />
material possessions. God does not expect us to give everything away and<br />
live in poverty, but he can't approve of church members buying extravagant<br />
cars and houses while others suffer.<br />
<br />
Finally, Mennonites have unique wisdom to offer with regards to the<br />
concept of nation and ultimate allegiance. We realize that the national<br />
government is necessary and serves a purpose: to keep order. However, we<br />
also must emphasize that as citizens of God's kingdom we owe our ultimate<br />
allegiance to God, and not to any human rulers. In the same way, we have<br />
more in common with fellow believers in other countries than we do with<br />
many Americans. Seeing ourselves as citizens of a worldwide church<br />
necessarily changes our view of our responsibility to our brothers and<br />
sisters worldwide. If we see injustice in the way U.S. corporations do<br />
business in third world countries, we need to speak out. If we see<br />
injustice in weapons sales to third world countries, we must speak out.<br />
Again, justice is not simply deciding who is right and wrong and punishing<br />
the wrong. And it certainly is not "My Country Right or Wrong." Justice is<br />
about reconciliation, healing of relationships, and right treatment of all,<br />
whether American or not.<br />
<br />
The above examples are just a few issues on which Mennonites hold a unique<br />
perspective. There are many issues today where radical obedience to Christ<br />
brings us into conflict with the rest of society. While we should not<br />
actively seek conflict with society, we have an opportunity to make<br />
Christ's wisdom known in the world. We should not expect to be lauded for<br />
our beliefs, or even understood. However, if we truly are committed to<br />
radical discipleship, we must follow Christ's example without thought of<br />
consequence or approval. <br />
<br />
''This essay was completed for an Anabaptist/Mennonite History class at Goshen College in April 1999''.<br />
</div><br />
[[Category:Stories]]</div>Harms.Matt