Lessons for the Church from the DC Riots

[hillperson]

What are lessons we can learn from the riots in DC on January 6. So far our discussions are about what happened, who was right, who was wrong. Historically we as Anabaptists know politics is no place for the church. With the current president many Anabaptists have been getting more and more involved.

Where should the church find themselves while the heathen rage? You know as the night grows darker true Christianity will shine brighter.

[hillperson]

True evangelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant, but spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of love;
it dies to flesh and blood;
it destroys all lusts and forbidden desires;
it seeks, serves and fears God in its inmost soul (3);
it clothes the naked;
it feeds the hungry;
it comforts the sorrowful; 
it shelters the destitute;
it aids and consoles the sad;
it does good to those who do it harm;
it serves those that harm it;
it prays for those who persecute it;
it teaches, admonishes and judges us with the Word of the Lord;
it seeks those who are lost;
it binds up what is wounded;
it heals the sick;
it saves what is strong (sound);
it becomes all things to all people.
The persecution, suffering and anguish that come to it for the sake of the Lord’s truth have become a glorious joy and comfort to it.
Menno Simons

[Ken]

Can you clean up the above Menno Simons quote? It is unreable with all the special characters.

[hillperson]

Can you clean up the above Menno Simons quote? It is unreable with all the special characters.

Im sorry I can see it clearly so I’m not sure what to clean up. Maybe an administrator can help?

[Bootstrap]

Let me reformat it a bit.

True evangelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant, but spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of love;


it dies to flesh and blood;

it destroys all lusts and forbidden desires;

it seeks, serves and fears God in its inmost soul;

it clothes the naked;

it feeds the hungry;

it comforts the sorrowful; 

it shelters the destitute;

it aids and consoles the sad;

it does good to those who do it harm;
it serves those that harm it;

it prays for those who persecute it;

it teaches, admonishes and judges us with the Word of the Lord;

it seeks those who are lost;

it binds up what is wounded;

it heals the sick;

it saves what is strong (sound);

it becomes all things to all people.


The persecution, suffering and anguish that come to it for the sake of the Lord’s truth have become a glorious joy and comfort to it.

-- Menno Simons

Here is a different translation.

For true evangelical faith is of such a nature that it cannot lay dormant, but manifests itself in all righteousness and works of love;

it dies unto flesh and blood;
destroys all forbidden lusts and desires;
cordially seeks, serves and fears God;
clothes the naked;
feeds the hungry;
consoles the afflicted;
shelters the miserable;
aids and consoles all the oppressed;
returns good for evil;
serves those that injure it;
prays for those that persecute it;
teaches, admonishes and reproves with the Word of the Lord;
seeks that which is lost;
binds up that which is wounded;
heals that which is diseased and saves that which is sound.

The persecution, suffering and anxiety which befalls it for the sake of the truth of the Lord, is to it a glorious joy and consolation.

-- Menno Simons

[hillperson]

During the Revolutionary War, Mennonites help soldiers on both sides of the conflict. They honored all men even if it meant hardship. Does anyone know what their role was in the Civil War?

[Bootstrap]

During the Revolutionary War, Mennonites help soldiers on both sides of the conflict. They honored all men even if it meant hardship. Does anyone know what their role was in the Civil War?

Sadly, some Mennonites in the Shenandoah Valley served in the Civil War.

[Josh]

In the Revolutionary War, most Mennonites felt they should be loyal to the King, considering that's what the Bible says to do.

Christians should have nothing to do with political protests and riots, regardless of how "American" they are.

[Ken]

Lots of German Mennonites also supported Hitler and the Nazi party. Why?

They cited Romans 13 and believed that God commanded it

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

[Josh]

Lots of German Mennonites also supported Hitler and the Nazi party. Why?

I'm sorry, Ken, what's your point? Do you think Mennonites in America should have supported the Revolutionary War?