The Earth is the Lord's - Discussion

[barnhart]

...we alternate by month between observing the Lord's supper as apart of the primary service and as a dedicated service in the evening.

Why not have communion once a year like the Swiss Brethren?

It's not very clear from the scripture how often if should be practiced. Early in our church history there was a compromise between those from a more sacramental background who naturally thought it should be observed every week and those from a memorialist background who thought once or twice a year was sufficient. We arrived at once per month and it has been that way ever since.

[barnhart]

If history is any guide, it seems easier to die for Jesus than to live for him.

[joshuabgood]

Page 46

Hans Landis and his flock

The council had arrested both Hans and Jacob [Isler] (who would not admit having charge of deacon funds) and jailed them in the tall Wellenberg, a tower rising out of the middle of the Limmat several hundred yards upstream from the town hail.
But strict interrogation had not budged Hans. Though with all other Christians he confessed faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, he insisted that such faith was genuine only when evidenced by "good works." He said he could not conscientiously attend the Lord's Supper in an official church that openly allowed people of "un-godly" behavior to participate with the "godly." Such tolerance was a mockery of what the church of Christ was supposed to be. The true church could not subject its discernment of spiritual questions to the direction of Zurich's officials or to those of
any other city.

From the very beginning, this view of the Lord's supper has characterized Anabaptist life and thought. It is what made them separate from the state church. It was a precious concept that they lived and died for.

I do find it perplexing as to why some people might want to identify themselves as Anabaptists, but not embrace this foundational understanding of the church and of the Lord's Supper. Why do some Anabaptists advocate for open communion with anyone who "believes and is baptized" and aren't particularly concerned whether communicants are living a godly life. Why is there a minimizing among some Anabaptists regarding the call to live a devout and holy life and only commune with such?
I understand very well the many Anabaptists who have gone overboard in this and have added all sorts of criteria for communion that are not found in the New Testament. I get why there is a reaction to that.
But I don't understand the justification of having both wheat and known tares in the church, or not caring enough to see if there are known tares in the church before inviting people to commune, and yet still want to identify as Anabaptist.

I get this...but the fact remains, that tares grow with the wheat in every church. Also I get the distinction you are making between "known" and "unknown" and yet, a person genuinely struggling with addictions may look like a "known tare" while perhaps being a son of God on a journey, while those who are "known" to be holy, are in fact, while not in abject what we would call "moral" failure, nonetheless miss on both of the great commandments in their relationships. Unfortunately, this is visible in some of the highest profile "super Christian leaders" in conservative and liberal ordnungs with regard to their inability to get along as brothers in Christ and in honor prefer one another. I could give many real examples however it doesn't seem prudent to mention names/situations.

I would advocate for the approach of soloist and barnhart and how it sound like you handle things at your church.

In an interesting twist, it so happens that on Christmas Eve, in the absence of any service in our ordnung, my family decided to attend an Eastern Orthodox service. The church was filled with families and young kids and about half the women had veilings on. After the vespers and the smells and the bells and an inspiring Christmas Eve sermon, they took communion, I asked the usher what I should, and was denied communion, though he told me under his breath that he thinks all Christians should be permitted.

[Ernie]

Songs of Anabaptists. Page 95-96

Here are excerpts of songs. Imagine being part of a farming family, a tailor's family, a basket weaver's family, a cobbler's family, and getting together at night in a barn or forest and singing these songs together.
How different might our theology be if these were in our hymnbooks that we sing from on Sunday's at church?

From a song of 41 stanzas

Awhile I had been serving
The master of this world,
For goods and honor striving,
For silver and for gold.

And now I'll show you my renown:
Lameness and age have struck me down;
This is the crown and glory
That are the world's old story.

There came out for to meet me
The children of this world,
And there they did entreat me,
"Come with us to the field;

Take pleasure through the meadows green,
Forgetting care and sorrows keen,
A brief refreshment taking,
Rest for the body making.

-----

Wine is a gift of Heaven
Created for man's use;
Thereby should God honored—
Not drinking to excess
But drinking it with temperance,
Devoted to reasonableness
Brings piety to many
Who else would not have any.

------
One word I am Proclaiming
To Christians one and all:
To fear of God be yielding,
Each person in his call.

In business practice righteousness,
In eating, drinking, temperance.
Perform your labor honest
As Paul does us admonish.

He who will cheat in business
Will fall into sin's snare;
Justly must one be dealing,
As Scripture does declare.
Many a person swears with mouth
Who in his heart is far from truth.
*
You parents must be zealous
Your children's minds to mold,
The fear of God implanting,
As in your whole household."

-------

Of clothes there is no lacking,
With much unneedful pride,
And manifold silk ribbons
And trim of every kind,
As our own age has now disclosed,
To which the Lord God is opposed
Those who such things are Ieaving
Much money can he saving.

There would be goodly colors
That by themselves do grow;
Such are the ones for wearing --
We find it written so.
Sheep wool itself has varied hue
Which is quite inexpensive, too;
One could, to this submitting,
Still dress in manner fitting.

[barnhart]

Songs of Anabaptists. Page 95-96...

How different might our theology be if these were in our hymnbooks that we sing from on Sunday's at church?

From a song of 41 stanzas...

I'm afraid I would no longer be paying attention by verse 41.

[cmbl]

How different might our theology be if these were in our hymnbooks that we sing from on Sunday's at church?

The Ausbund and the Unpartheyisches Gesangbuch have a wealth of wonderful hymns. (The latter has many Pietist hymns which people will call Anabaptist )

[barnhart]

How different might our theology be if these were in our hymnbooks that we sing from on Sunday's at church?

The Ausbund and the Unpartheyisches Gesangbuch have a wealth of wonderful hymns. (The latter has many Pietist hymns which people will call Anabaptist )

I grew up with the Christian Hymnary which included a large section of early Anabaptist songs that seemed a lot like the one quoted by Ruth. I never heard anyone sing or quote from them. Nobody knew what to do with them.

[Ernie]

How different might our theology be if these were in our hymnbooks that we sing from on Sunday's at church?

The Ausbund and the Unpartheyisches Gesangbuch have a wealth of wonderful hymns. (The latter has many Pietist hymns which people will call Anabaptist )

I grew up with the Christian Hymnary which included a large section of early Anabaptist songs that seemed a lot like the one quoted by Ruth. I never heard anyone sing or quote from them. Nobody knew what to do with them.

Which says something about us...