Theology Menno Simons

1 theology

1.1 excommunication
1.2 bride of christ
1.3 infant baptism
1.4 peace
1.5 asceticism

theology

menno simons (1854)

menno simons influence on anabaptism in low countries great baptist historian william estep suggested history divided 3 periods: before menno, under menno, , after menno . menno significant because of coming anabaptist movement in north in troublesome days, , helping not sustain it, establish viable radical reformation movement.

excommunication

girolimon (1995) compares teachings of menno simons of protestant reformer john calvin (1509–64), focusing on issue of excommunication. theological analysis stresses sharp contrasts between 2 leaders on 4 basic principles: on procedures leading excommunication, on severity of sanctions on excommunicant, on restoration of repentant individual, , on civil punishment. calvin , menno, each leader of distinct wings of reformation, both believed extreme form of discipline essential function of church in society, agreeing on basic grounds excommunication expressed in new testament. menno, however, envisioned application of reprimand process administered entire church body against sin; calvin reserved excommunication severe transgressions identified company of pastors , consistory. among other disagreements, calvin approved civil punishment forms of unorthodoxy while menno advocated strict church/state separation. differed profoundly in views on why church discipline necessary. simons saw human perfectability attainable after conversion, while calvin stressed augustinian theology of human depravity.

bride of christ

menno simons drew heavily biblical images of bride of christ when envisioning new church. found in biblical song of solomon description of relationship between purified church , christ not applied reformed church earthly marriage between man , woman. bride in songs, woman must come in total love , devotion , cleansed of natural evil contact husband. did not alter conventional view of relations between men , women idealized woman s subordinate , asexual status.

infant baptism

the anabaptists insisted on adult baptism. contrast, martin luther defended infant baptism; belief in stemmed view of church ideally inclusive reality in christian society. menno simons based rejection of infant baptism on concept of church disciplined group of individuals have voluntarily committed lives christ. viewed sanctification lifelong process not rid presence of sin 1 s life.

peace

although anabaptists in amsterdam , münster in 16th century engaged in violence , murder, dutch mennonites became pious , peaceful. explanation of transformation needed, , answer may lie in menno s transformation catholic priest , apologist pacifist anabaptist reformer—a transformation linked relationships radical münsterites , peaceful melchiorites. in 1539 christian baptism menno simons stated reluctance engage in disputes, may have stemmed reluctance years announce true convictions.

asceticism

menno simons rejected asceticism in terms of traditional practices of social withdrawal, mortification, , self-denial. historical theologian richard valantasis, however, has suggested asceticism should not defined these physical practices group of activities designed reestablish social relations between individual , dominant social environment through new subjectivity, different social relations, , alternative symbolic universe. simons theology ascetic valantasis s definition since used these methods restructure anabaptists relationship worldly society.