Essays for King Jesus

Peter Eby: The Great Swiss-American Anabaptist Elder of Pequea

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Peter Eby did much for the health of the Mennonite church in the 1800’s. Merle Weaver tells the story of Peter’s life with special attention to his pastoral work and spiritual life. We can learn much from this leader who ministered in a strikingly different historical context from our own.

Practical Crucifixion: Notes on Spiritual Formation

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Practical crucifixion is not separate from practically putting on Christ. Within the larger context of beholding Christ and the work of the Spirit our actions help orient us to what is true and good.

A Silent Night Amid the Killing - Ben Metzler

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0500

During World War 1, opposing soldiers called a battlefront truce on Christmas Eve. Ben Metzler asks us to think about what this reveals. They knew the Prince of Peace should bring peace. Do we? Or do we buy into the hostilities around us?

The Strange Death of Hidden Life - Marlin Sommers

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Scripture describes baptized believers as “dead” with a life that is “hidden with Christ.” Marlin Sommers explores the contrasts of this joyful “death-life.” What does it look like when we put on Christ and put off the old human?

A Matter of Power - Dan Ziegler

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Anabaptists have been known for their refusal to use the power of the state to accomplish Christian goals. Dan Ziegler warns that Anabaptists on both the left and the right are losing this commitment. He calls us back to a biblical understanding of the two kingdoms for the sake of the church and her ministry.

How Passionate 25-Year-olds Become Fruitful 45-Year-olds

Sat, 24 May 2025 12:00:00 -0500

When we are young life is filled with ambitions, dreams, and possibilities, but life happens and we easily become cynical. Merle Burkholder gives practical steps and challenges us to become people who do the work God has given us to do.

Read the essay and comment at https://anabaptistperspectives.org/essays/how-passionate-25-year-olds-become-fruitful-45-year-olds/

Sharing Plans Cannot Replace Brotherly Aid

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:00:00 -0500

Do medical "sharing plans" give an example of bearing one another's burdens or do they make us self-sufficient and individualistic? Marlin Sommers argues they are an economic tool distinct from brotherly aid. He challenges us to share to address actual needs and to pool our resources to support ambitions Christian teaching.

https://anabaptistperspectives.org/sharing-plans-cannot-replace-brotherly-aid

God's Pursuit of Affectionate Relationship

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Conscience made Adam and Eve hide from God. Fred Wiebe explores the way we all experience this separation due to sin and God’s solution to bring us from shame and guilt to joy and belonging as children of God. Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers, and he is the hero we attentively model ourselves after.

My Ethics, Your Ethics, and the Dilemma Between

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Each of us do and say things because of the culture we grew up in. Is that wrong? No. However, we as God’s children need to look beyond our culture and try to look through other cultures’ glasses. God is not bound to culture, and all of us can be thankful that the Bible is not culturally bound. John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The Cultural Captivity of the Gospel

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0500

We need to offer the gospel to the world. We need to offer the gospel without contaminating it with our own culture. We need to offer truth that will inform, confront, and change every culture. There is nothing wrong with our culture as long as we do not make it the gospel. The gospel will change individuals, and it will change entire cultures.

Who Is My Neighbor?

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Roseanne’s experiences challenge each of us to be the Good Samaritan to others even when it is hard. Jesus showers love and mercy on us even when we are unlovely; we as His children should do the same.

Essay originally published 08/2020.

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God Is not Mocked

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 16:30:00 -0500

God delights to pardon and save. He delights to bring life from death. But we are sometimes tempted to mock God and to think that we can claim the benefits of pardon while opting out of God’s plan to free us from the actual grip of sin.

From Every Nation, Tribe, and Language

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 14:00:00 -0500

In this first essay of a 3-part series, Roseanne Bauman speaks from her personal experience about teaching an ethnically diverse group of students. While Roseanne was the teacher, she quickly realized that she was also a student. In this post, you will read about the many valuable lessons that Roseanne learned from her students.

Essay originally published 08/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Where Do We Nest? Lessons From My Internship at the Behalt

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Many faithful believers rejected the sword and positions of earthly rule because they were convinced from the Scriptures that these were not part of God’s design, whether in the Garden of Eden or in the establishment of Christ’s church. If we choose to depart from God’s ways, we become like killdeer birds suddenly deciding to nest in the trees. It seems, then, that we have two traditions to choose from: the true, original design God created, or pervasive, normalized evil.

Entrepreneurs as Stewards

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0500

A business person should steward his business abilities and roles. Stewardship is not limited to managing profits that may be gained through business. Marlin Sommers reflects on job creation, business investment in general, and concludes with a few words about the steward mindset in business.

Essay originally published 04/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Men are Going to Hell: Why Bother with Humanitarian Aid?

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0500

We want the entire world to understand who Jesus is. But what are we to be doing and how is this message supposed to spread? Is serving the poor part of Jesus’ commission to the church? Or is humanitarian aid a second-class ministry or, even worse, a distraction from our real mission? Gary Miller reminds us that God wants people to flourish, both physically and spiritually, and that this should be our desire as well. Like Jesus, we are representatives of the character of God. Like Jesus, we should be known for doing good.

Business People among God’s “Servant-Managers”

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0500

What does it mean to be a steward of business giftings and abilities, and of business roles and opportunities? Marlin Sommers explores some biblical points, focusing on business applications, and encouraging business people to recognize themselves as servant-managers of both a set of giftings and abilities and of certain roles and opportunities.

Essay originally published 04/2020. Audio narration just released.

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The Way We Live Is the Way We Educate

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0500

“Our own attentive openness to the world around us and the generations before us is what prepares us to educate. If we are not attentive, humble, and learning, we are left either neglecting education or simply trying to pass on what we think we know.”

Learning From Our Neighbors

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Did you ever consider that not everyone grew up like you did? How would your life be different if God had placed you in a different home?

Essay originally published 03/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Schism Is Heresy

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0500

In his essay "Schism is Heresy", Frank Reed exhorts the church of Jesus Christ to be unified as a body, not falling prey to the many divisions of the world. In clear and simple language, he shares principle truths from Scripture regarding how the body of believers should view unity. "Principles transcend policies. If we are led by the same Spirit, we will walk the path together. If we allow personal preferences to divide us, we are not part of the body of Christ. "

But You Will Just Die

Sat, 18 May 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Loving your enemies can be hard. Many people do not understand how it is possible to love even when being attacked. Even though it is hard, Jesus gives his followers the answers for this subject. Marlin Sommers wrote this blog about a conversation that he had with his college students, and he discusses the reasons that followers of Jesus should love their enemies.

Essay originally published 07/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Money, Education, and My Anabaptist Experience

Sat, 04 May 2024 13:00:00 -0500

Many Anabaptists have been more scared of education than money. Brian Martin calls us to examine that assumption and approach both with fear and trembling (and wisdom and courage). We must not forget the biblical call to wisdom and knowledge and the avenues of service that can be opened by study.

Keeshon's Story: A Knock Heard Round the Hood - Part 4

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0500

It is not always easy to invest your time into another person. However, as Keeshon Wasington expressed in his life’s story, he is very grateful and thankful to God that someone took the time for him. Are we willing to let God use us to help those in need?

To read more of Keeshon’s writing, check out his blog at: https://urbanitemusingskw.wordpress.com/

Essay originally published 12/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Investing Is Not Gambling. Speculating Might Be.

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Is an investment a gamble? Does it matter? In this essay, Marlin Sommers seeks to clearly differentiate between gambling and investing, to call us to a positive moral ethos for investing, and to give some tools for how to think about borderline cases.

Stephen Russell’s episodes on Usury and Distributism

How Should We Then Money?

Usury and the Historic Church

Marlin’s two-part essay on Business as Stewardship

Business People among God’s “Servant-Managers”

Entrepreneurs as Servant-Managers

Keeshon’s Story: A Knock Heard Round the Hood – Part 3

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Life is not always easy, but having kind friends that are ready and willing to help and be there for you always makes those rough bumps easier. Keeshon continues writing his experiences in getting beat up, forgiving those guys and ultimately giving his life to Jesus.

To read more of Keeshon’s writing, check out his blog at: https://urbanitemusingskw.wordpress.com/

Essay originally published 12/2020. Audio narration just released.

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A Handful of Hard Notes: Five Historic Questions about Music

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0500

“We know we should sing, but what kind of song is most appropriate in public worship?” James S. Martin helps us think about five main questions that have plagued discussions about congregational singing over the centuries. He does not attempt to build theological bulwarks around a particular singing style. “If the musicians among us drink deeply and work with integrity and discipline, new songs will arise in wonderful offerings of sound and sense”

Keeshon’s Story: A Knock Heard Round the Hood – Part 2

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0500

A little kindness will go a long way. Doing good to others is always worth it. Keeshon Washington experienced the receiving side of this as he continues telling us his story in his four-part series.

To read more of Keeshon’s writing, check out his blog at: https://urbanitemusingskw.wordpress.com/.

Essay originally published 12/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Faith, Works, and Assurance

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Confusion around assurance of salvation often stems from inadequate understandings of faith and works. Milo Zehr explains how people who want to emphasize either the importance of good works or the unimportance of good works often make overstatements that fail to take all scripture into account. Milo contrasts these inadequate views with scriptural teaching.

Keeshon’s Story: A Knock Heard Round the Hood – Part 1

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Keeshon Washington takes us on his journey from being a little boy going to Vacation Bible School to his years as being a teacher himself.

To read more of Keeshon’s writing, check out his blog at: https://urbanitemusingskw.wordpress.com/.

Essay originally published 11/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Husbands, Wives, and the Arsenal of Jesus’ Sacrificial Kingdom

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians calls believers to submit to each other, to love each other, and to treat each other as members of the same body. The letter then takes these commands for all believers and specifically applies self-giving love to husbands and reverent submission to wives. How are we to understand this? Do wives not need to love their husbands? Do husbands not need to submit to their wives? Marlin Sommers explores biblical submission in order to apply a robustly Christian understanding of submission to this text on marriage.

When Good Men Do Nothing

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Are you guilty of doing nothing? Has the Way become so easy that you find yourself with one foot in the world and one in the church? Today, we are making history. Men will know by our fruits. Will we be known as “good men who did nothing” or as “good men who turned the world upside-down”?

Essay originally published 08/2020. Audio narration just released.

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From Condemned Slave to Belonging Child

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

How can we have a joyful, confident relationship with God amidst suffering and the threats of shame, guilt, and condemnation? In this essay, based on Romans 8:12-39, Milo Zehr calls us to see the foundational reality that God has called us and that we are made His children by the Spirit, and joint-heirs with Jesus, even as we share the suffering of Jesus. Throughout this life, suffering continues; but God makes it part of His process of glorifying us. While full redemption lies ahead, we are now in Christ. We now walk in the Spirit as God’s children. We can live in freedom from the devil and in joyful belonging to God.

Managers In God's Household

Sat, 18 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

You may feel like since you are not a manager/leader, this is not for you. However, we are ALL managers in some way. We each are responsible for what God gave us. Marlin Sommers delves into some of the areas in our lives that we need to steward well as children of God.

Essay originally published 01/2020. Audio narration just released.

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What is Jesus' Sacrificial Kingdom?

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

“What is Jesus’ sacrificial kingdom? Foundationally, our king established his reign through his sacrifice. Crucially, his sacrifice shows us how to live and relate to others. Finally, the whole of life is to be devoted to God as an offering. … Allegiance is directed to Jesus. But it is helpful to remind ourselves that allegiance means fidelity to his ways and to the nature of his rule, and it means a life offered in worship.”

Essay originally published 01/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Religious Dualism

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Matt. 6:24 says: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Chester Weaver digs into this subject on serving two masters and why it is not possible to serve God and this world.

Essay originally published 02/2020. Audio narration just released.

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[Author Interview] Cultivating Spiritual Creativity

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500

What is spiritual creativity, and how should we apply it to our lives? In this episode we interview Reagan Schrock about his essay “Cultivating Spiritual Creativity in God’s Kingdom” which we published in August of 2022.

The essay we discuss: https://anabaptistperspectives.org/essays/cultivating-creativity-in-gods-kingdom/

All our essays: https://anabaptistperspectives.org/essays/

Why Anabaptists Don't Have Priests

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0500

We don't have special priests because all believers are called to be priests. David Derstine notes that “one of the most important keys to finding truth is finding and following the golden thread of personal responsibility and service to God... To fully become his children, we must share in the load of the royal priesthood and become his loyal and grateful servant.”

Studying the Word of God

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0500

God's Word has many treasures buried deep within, but too often we may feel unsure of how to go about discovering them. Frank Reed has written down some pointers that help him mine for this everlasting gold.

Essay originally published 05/2020. Audio narration just released.

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[Author Interview] Rebirth & the Law of Sowing and Reaping

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500

How does the law of sowing and reaping apply after salvation? How does rebirth apply when we think about sowing and reaping?

This is the first author interview on Essays for King Jesus, where we occasionally sit down with various authors of essays and discuss more in depth the concepts they explore in their work. This is a new format we’re trying, and we would love to hear your feedback. If you have questions about certain essays you would like to hear us address, let us know.

The essay we discuss: https://anabaptistperspectives.org/essays/rebirth-and-the-law-of-sowing-and-reaping/

All our essays: https://anabaptistperspectives.org/essays/

Suffering Love is the Engine of the Kingdom of God

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Suffering love propelled the work of Christ through the ages. Chester Weaver shares historical examples from Jesus’ sacrificial kingdom and challenges us to participate in that ageless burning engine.

Choosing Translations for Bible Study

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Sorting out the advantages and disadvantages of various Bible versions to study can be tricky. Marlin Sommers gives some helpful tips in choosing translations to guide Bible research.

Essay originally published 01/2021. Audio narration just released.

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"Noun" Doctrines and "Verb" Doctrines

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0500

“It is through the ‘verb doctrines’ that the poor are fed, the naked are clothed, the cheek is turned, the extra mile is walked, the good news is preached.” In this essay Dan Ziegler explains the temptation to take the great “noun doctrines” which explain what God had done while neglecting the “verb doctrines” that call us to obey.

Revisiting the Lord's Table - Again and Again

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0500

What does “visiting the Lord’s table” (Communion) mean to you? Is it something you look forward to each time? Some debate on how often to visit the Lord’s Supper—every week? Two times a year? Once a month? In this article, Stephen Byler does not promote one way over another however he challenges us to search the scriptures and to read how the early churches would have visited the Lord’s Supper.

Essay originally published 06/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Why Work? Work as Knowing

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Why do we work? Is work only a means to meet needs? Marlin Sommers makes the philosophical argument that our work is also part of how we know God and his creation. This includes knowing other people and their human creations as well.

A Knock Heard Round the Hood

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Keeshon Washington tells his story of becoming and growing as a Christian in his teen age years. This was published on the blog in four parts.

A Glimpse at Anti-Semitism

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Jesus didn’t give room for violent hatred against any ethnicity. What is the current situation today, and will the Anabaptist community respond with indifference or the Spirit of the Messiah?

Essay originally published 11/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Teaching Children How to Relate to Children from Other Cultures

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0500

If we are cultivating and valuing friendship with folks from different cultures and even religions, then our children will view this as normal. In “Teaching Children How to Relate to Children from Other Cultures,” Ryan Grove tells of his children’s experience among people of another culture and religion, sharing the blessings of these interactions as well as encouraging us to cultivate health in our children.

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Why New Bible Translations Matter: An Example

Sat, 20 May 2023 06:00:00 -0500

While it is important to make regular use of a modern English translation of the Bible, it should be noted that not all translations are equal. Marlin Sommers dives into the fascinating differences between newer and older English translations.

Essay originally published 10/2020. Audio narration just released.

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Grace and Truth vs. Grace or Truth

Sat, 06 May 2023 06:00:00 -0500

“Grace means unmerited favor and truth means that which is right. The human problem with grace and truth is not that the words remain mysterious, but that humans tend to emphasize one at the expense of the other.”

Chester Weaver tells of the dangers of choosing either grace or truth at the expense of the other. This can be seen in church history, congregational life, and our own personal lives.

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Walk in the Unity Jesus Created

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0500

It's not our job to create unity! In this essay, Marlin Sommers argues we must understand unity as something God already did. Our job is to walk out that unity by bearing with each other, caring for each other, and bringing our full range of contributions to the spectrum of the church.

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Covid19 Restrictions and Christian Brotherhood

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0500

"As we all know, there are various opinions on how we should relate to the government and the various restrictions that have been put in place. As none of us have any experience with dealing with a pandemic before, we find ourselves in a lot of uncharted territory and with a myriad of thoughts and opinions.

How do we find our way through these trying times and learn what God wants us to learn? What are the dangers we need to understand and avoid for our spiritual good and survival?"

Essay originally published 02/2021. Audio narration just released.

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Anabaptist on the Internet: Reflecting on Conversations about my Faith

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0500

“So you’re a Mennonite! Do you have a garden?”......“Why do the women wear bonnets?”......“If I decide to join your church, could I keep drinking beer?”

Conversations like these resulted from letting those around me see a picture of one particular way that Jesus-centered discipleship can look. Displaying ourselves with all our cultural distinctiveness on the internet is purely optional, however, this is an option that I and the others on the Anabaptist Perspectives’ team have chosen.

Jaran Miller shares his personal thoughts and experiences from his work on the Anabaptist Perspectives team as he dialogues with people who send messages via email and social media comments.

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Directing God’s Resources as a Homemaker

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

“Several years ago, I hit rock bottom. At least in one area of life, and it happened to be one that affected not just me, but my entire family. This area, quite simply, was how to manage a home. I was pregnant with our 3rd baby, half sick from a toxin exposure, …"

In "Directing God’s Resources as a Homemaker,” Robin Wolfer urges women to see the management of whatever space God has entrusted to them as a divine trust, and gives encouragement for the difficulties that come with this.

“Being a steward is very simple, yet it often takes years, if not a life time to perfect. Its principles are simple, yet life offers us many ways to apply them. We are in charge of transferring what God has given us to the people He intends it to benefit.”

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Forgiveness Is not "Putting up with"

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Forgiving doesn’t mean downplaying wrong. True forgiveness is a powerful response to wrong that calls sin what it is, and often involves confronting the wrongdoer. Forgiveness derives from trust in God’s overwhelming competence and care, but it does not ignore the very real harms and wrongs of sin. Forgiveness differs from forbearance precisely in this respect. Forbearance, or bearing with another person, does not necessarily mean we are claiming they have wronged us; forgiveness does. Both forgiveness and forbearance involve releasing resentment and both flow from the life of Christ.

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A Crisis Wasted?

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

It began for many of us like a rather normal year. There was the usual anticipation of spring and summer. Suddenly it seemed our world had become a quandary of unknowns, and a frantic search for facts and reason. We had witnessed flu seasons before and many of us had already had our turn with what seemed like ordinary winter flu, with some even experiencing it in overdrive. But we had recovered and we assumed time would now carry us into the spring and summer normality's of life.

Essay originally published 02/2021. Audio narration just released.

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Part 2 - Losing and Recovering Non-resistance in the Civil War Era

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Many Mennonites fought in the Civil War. However, this development roused others to renew the teaching of non-resistance and led to the Mennonite publishing movement. In “Losing and Recovering Non-resistance in the Civil War Era,” Chester Weaver describes prosperity that lead to a “spiritual sluggishness” leading up to the war. Fortunately, men of God realized the trajectory and articulated a recovered vision of non-resistance.

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Part 1 -Why Did the German Mennonites Become Nazis?

Sat, 03 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

“Why would the descendants of Swiss and Dutch Anabaptist martyrs identify themselves with one of the most evil regimes in human history? A very good question. The short answer: God has no grandchildren.”

In “Why did the German Mennonites Become Nazis?” Chester Weaver traces cultural and historical moments on the road that led to descendants of Anabaptist martyrs taking up the Nazi cause.

“And then World War 1 happened. By 1914 the loss of non-resistance was largely complete. One hundred years had erased the non-resistance. Jesus was replaced with German. German was the new heady ideal. The German Volk!”

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Nationalism and Christianity

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0500

The Ukraine War vividly shows the power of nationalist ideologies. In this long form essay “Nationalism and Christianity,” Mike Atnip argues that the conflict is driven by three distinct nationalist movements. Nationalism is more than patriotism and is rooted in us versus them thinking that exalts one’s own people. Atnip describes the nationalist roots of contemporary practices and calls us to be cosmopolitans in the truest sense.

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Rebirth and the Law of Sowing and Reaping

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0500

How does the concept of sowing and reaping fit with the gospel? The gospel disrupts sowing and reaping; the path to death is interrupted by rebirth to new life. Does the gospel then mean the things we sow in our lives no longer have consequences? Marlin Sommers explores what Scripture says about sowing and reaping for believers. While the warnings are sobering, the promises are exciting and designed to encourage us to vigorous perseverance.

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Cremation versus Burial: Why It Matters

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0500

“Although it is true that the eternal state of one’s soul is of utmost importance, and one’s dead, decayed body will ultimately not really matter since there has been promised a new body at the resurrection, Scripture still reveals a clear respect for the bodies of the dead. Bodies, alive or dead, have been created by God, for His glory, and in His image.” In "Cremation versus Burial: Why it Matters", Samantha Bender argues that burying the dead, rather than burning their bodies is a valuable way to show respect.

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Cultivating Spiritual Creativity in God's Kingdom

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0500

“When I read the New Testament, I am struck by what great lengths the early church went to in order to reach the world with the Gospel. Not only were they committed and bold, they were also quite creative in finding ways to interact with people in meaningful ways.” In Cultivating Spiritual Creativity in God’s Kingdom, Reagan Schrock calls us to face our fears, “orienting our creativity toward what Jesus wants in this world.”

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Money Modesty and Body Modesty

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Modesty is a lightning rod word. In “Money Modesty and Body Modesty” Marlin Sommers pulls together some familiar threads and some neglected threads in an attempt at realism.

“Money modesty means we don’t display, flaunt, and call attention to our riches or social position through what we wear. Body modesty means we don’t display, flaunt, or call attention to our bodies, especially in ways that highlight sexual appeal. Our primary call, as expressed in scriptural texts on modesty, is to adorn ourselves with a gentle spirit in the “inner human,” and with generous good works toward those around us. Modesty of money and modesty of body are to support these aims.”

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Integrity? The Allure of Doubleness

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0500

When my father discovered that Marvin was an attorney, he said in his typically blunt manner, “I hear that attorneys do not always tell the truth.”

Marvin replied, “We tell the truth according to our clients.”

In “Integrity? The Allure of Doubleness,” Chester Weaver explores our terrible tendency to “Tell the truth according to....” and calls us to the "singleness" and integrity of Jesus.

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The Importance of Christ's Death and Resurrection

Sat, 07 May 2022 06:00:00 -0500

In “The Importance of Christ’s Death and Resurrection,” Milo Zehr challenges a common conception of justification and salvation and calls us to learn from historic Anabaptist soteriology.

The interactive, living faith relationship of the believer with Jesus Christ means ongoing participation in the actual life of Christ, death to sin and resurrection to new life, and growth in faith, love for God, and obedience. Christ’s past work on the cross is, therefore, the basis for His present work in our life, and His resurrection makes it possible for Him to work in us today. Any past or present work of Christ on the cross, in our lives, or on our behalf that does not bring us into a living interactive relationship with Christ and produce His life in us, does not satisfy God, and therefore, does not justify us in God’s eyes.

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The Inside-out Sandwich: An Approach to Studying and Teaching the Bible

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Are commentaries cheating? Marlin encourages us to keep our attention on scripture and use study aids in a way that brings our attention back to scripture. He describes three stages of bible study that form an “inside-out sandwich.”

· Stage one: Read and study the text without commentaries or other study helps.

· Stage two: Consult study helps.

· Stage three: Prepare final teaching notes directly from the biblical text.

Jesus Means what He Says and He Is Talking to Us! How Anabaptists Understand Scripture - Part 2

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0500

In this essay Dan continues exploring how Anabaptists should understand scripture. When the living Christ reigns in His rightful place, and sits at the center of our understanding of Scripture, this biblical worldview is a pearl of great price, because it beckons us to give all we are and all we have to King Jesus. You see, in the end, it’s not about Anabaptism at all. It’s really about being “a people who believe that Jesus is who He says He is, that He means what He says, and that He’s talking to us!”

Following Jesus into the Bible - How Anabaptists Understand Scripture Part 1

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500

In this essay Dan Ziegler explores the hermeneutic behind the unique set of convictions that define conservative Anabaptists (Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites, Brethren, and related groups). We non-conformed Anabaptists are just regular folk, no more astute or intrinsically spiritual than our neighbors.

So, what drives the uniqueness of the conservative Anabaptist faith?

"I have been working on that question for 35 years now - ever since my wife and I, as young seekers, left the evangelical faith tradition to become Mennonites. Now, after decades of immersion in Anabaptist beliefs, culture, and history, I believe I have come to understand what is behind Anabaptism. It is a hermeneutic - a simple, yet profound approach to understanding and applying Scripture. "

Crafting Christlike Friendships With Internationals

Sat, 05 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Most of my most successful international friendships have been in the context of peer-to-peer relationships. As peers we share life together whether in school, at work, or parenting at the same time. Accept their offers of hospitality and advice. You do not need to do everything they say, but listen. As you minister to them, allow them to minister to you. - Beth B.

What is Knowlege? - Epistemology Across My life

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0500

In this essay, Marlin reflects on topics ranging from chickens, to schooling, to church life.

"Philosophizing about knowing (i.e. epistemology) may seem arcane or excessively technical. However, what increasingly strikes me is that our mindset toward knowing and the way we think about knowledge ties into our overall stance toward life. Whether or not we study formal epistemology, we all have a functional epistemology: our conception of what knowing is, our ideas about what (and who!) it is worthwhile to know, and ideas about how we can gain knowledge."

The Power Question, Gelassenheit, and Koinonia

Sat, 04 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0500

We want power, but Jesus tells us to serve and humble ourselves like children. In this essay, Chester calls us to gelassenheit (humble yieldedness) which enables the blessing of communing fellowship or koinonia among Christ's servants.

Recovery and Healing Resources for Sexual Abuse - Part 2

Sat, 20 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0500

How does one recover from sexual abuse? What could be a truly healing process? This essay provides some helpful resources and encouragement for those who have encountered sexual abuse in various ways and follows up on Amos Esh’s previous essay that defined sexual abuse.

What is Sexual Abuse - Part 1

Sat, 06 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0500

What does the Bible and North American laws say about sexual abuse? How do shame, guilt, honesty, repentance, forgiveness, bold love, and Isaiah 53 all connect to this topic? Amos Esh addresses this sensitive topic in this essay and provides insight into the emotions and perpetrators behind abuse.

In Part 2 Amos will talk about recovery, resources and encouragement for those who have dealt with sexual abuse.

Good Deeds and Bad Hearts?

Sat, 09 Oct 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Jesus said the Pharisees cleaned the outside of the cup and left the inside dirty. He talked about tombs that were whitewashed outside and full of bones inside. We may be tempted to think that our actions are part of the outside, but Jesus teaches that our actions, at least most of them, are inside the cup. Marlin Sommers digs into Matthew 15 to explore what it looks like to serve Jesus with our hearts rather than our lips.

Hebrew Bible History - Part 3

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0500

How would you like to copy the Bible by hand? We can thank medieval Jewish scribes for their incredible, detailed work on the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible. This is the third and final essay in Vince Beiler's series "Transmitting the Old Testament: Adventures of the Hebrew Text"

Hebrew Bible History - Part 2

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Transmitting the Old Testament: Adventures of the Hebrew Text

What do the famous Dead Sea Scrolls tell us about the Bible? In this second essay in his series "Transmitting the Old Testament: Adventures of the Hebrew Text," Vince Beiler guides us through the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they help to broaden our understanding of the ancient Hebrew text of the Bible.

Hebrew Bible History - Part 1

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Transmitting the Old Testament: Adventures of the Hebrew Text

How did we get the Bible when it was written thousands of years ago? "It is easy to think that transmitting the biblical text is a relatively simple matter. This is probably because (a) we have never tried copying a document long hand and (b) we are accustomed to printed Bible editions with clear, consistent lettering. In truth, copying a Bible is very hard work ..."

Vince Beiler explores this question as he takes us into the fascinating world of the ancient Hebrew Bible.

Transmitting the Old Testament: Adventures of the Hebrew Text

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Vince Beiler takes us through the fascinating history of the Hebrew Bible and is transmission across millennia, which eventually led to today's compact printed bibles. This was originally published in three parts on our website. https://anabaptistperspectives.org/essays/hebrew-bible-history-part-1

Seeking Better Vision

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0500

Seeking Better Vision - Anabaptists, History, and the Powers

What is Anabaptism at its core? Is it defined by history and people? In this essay, Kyle Stoltzfus argues we do better if we seek to see what the early Anabaptists saw. Their eyes were on the reign of Christ and how that relates to the "principalities, and powers" the Bible talks so much about. We need better spiritual vision to see what they saw.

In September we will feature a podcast episode (on our main Anabaptist Perspectives Channel) where Kyle dialogues with Marlin Sommers about themes from this essay. Read now and stay tuned for more discussion!

What We Learn from NT Slavery Texts

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Marlin takes a look at slavery passages in the New Testament.

"My point is not to make slavery look less bad, but to see what these texts teach us about our own work, whatever our economic situation."

"New Testament advice to slaves reminds us that, whatever our economic situation,

God values and will reward all legitimate work, and
Our work and economic lives should reflect Kingdom generosity and the way of the cross."

Marlin Sommers serves various roles with Anabaptist Perspectives and works with another non-profit. Marlin and his wife are raising four children in Southeast TN. See more of Marlin’s work at www.marlin.work

A Look at Romans 12 and 13

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 19:00:00 -0500

"In today’s highly partisan environment it is easy for American believers to be carried away with the passionate belief that politics can be the solution to our nation’s problems."

Stephen Russell reminds us that we are part of the kingdom of light, not the kingdom of darkness. Does our relationship to politics reflect this?

Planting an Anabaptist Church in a City

Sat, 01 May 2021 05:30:00 -0500

Is it possible to start churches of new believers that will uphold Jesus's teachings, including those less commonly taught in America? Allen Roth draws from a lifetime of experience in evangelism and church planting. He gives a resounding yes, while detailing some challenges for those who take up the task.

The Expression of Music

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Music is extremely powerful. It can either draw us away from God or draw us closer to God. Which would you prefer? Daniel Allgyer has spent years researching songs, singing in choirs and leading worship in church. He is passionate about helping others understand the importance of good music and how good or bad music can and will affect us.

This essay was published on our website in March 2020.

The Lord's Supper as Fellowship

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Is communion bread literally Christ's body? Is the Lord's supper only an act of remembrance?

Marlin Sommers says neither. The biblical term koinonia (participation, sharing, fellowship, communion) gives a clue to a fuller understanding of how we encounter Christ in the Lord's Supper.

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Factories, Gardens, Giving, Guns: A COVID-19 Economy and Stewardship - Anabaptist Perspectives

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Like any economic difficulty, a COVID-19 economy highlights the need to steward our resources, whether those resources be meager or vast. Hard times can actually clarify our understanding of basic Christian economics. In this episode, Marlin Sommers explores four themes which should be present in the Christian response to the present pandemic. This is a bonus podcast. Expect this week's regularly-scheduled episode to be available on Thursday morning. Benjamin Good narrates this article. Read the blog: https://www.anabaptistperspectives.org/ Visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/anabaptistperspectives Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anabaptistperspectives Support us: https://www.patreon.com/anabaptistperspectives Music: "The Basket" by Blue Dot Sessions The views expressed by our guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Anabaptist Perspectives or Wellspring Mennonite Church.