MennoNet.com

As I mentioned in my introduction post, I am a seeker who can presently affirm all but a single Article in Dordrecht (well, I’d also take issue with the deaconess bit) and came across an article written by a Mennonite by the name of John Neufeld who went on to be with the Lord a few years ago.

https://directionjournal.org/42/2/ploug ... being.html

I did a bit of research on the church in Canada he was a Pastor of and since the time of his passing it seems to have grown a bit more liberal. I can’t say for certain but I don’t think the views he put forward in the article (TULIP + BASIN) were shared by his congregation.

I have since come across a single Mennonite congregation that labels itself as Reformed, but they do not mean “Reformed” in the same sense John Calvin or others meant it.

For those Anabaptists that may eventually come to hold some Reformed or Reformed-ish views that are already a part of a community, what is the usual outcome? Are they given the Ban, are they encouraged to keep these things to themselves but otherwise permitted to continue participating as earnest and active members of the community?

What have you observed along these lines in your own experience?

Any insights Anabaptists would be willing to share along these lines would be greatly appreciated, as information on the topic is in remarkably short supply.

Reformed views are probably the most hated Christian views among my church, explicitly taught against during my instruction class. I brought up some Catholic beliefs i still hold and the response from the ministry was mild at best. They are very negative on most TULIP principles. I personally am sympathetic to some reformed views, particularly on predestination, but I know better than to seriously push that with any of my church brethern.

No. Reformed beliefs are entirely incompatible with Anabaptism.

As one Amishman told me, he has more in common with a Catholic than he does with someone who is Reformed and would rather see one of his fellow churchgoers join an Eastern Orthoox church than turn Calvinist.

In particular, Anabaptists reject the doctrines of "eternal security" or "perseverance of the saints" (using the derogatory term "once saved, always saved"). The other 4 points of 5 point Calvinism aren't any more compatible with Anabaptism either; broadening the lens of "Reformed" to include Lutheran doctrines as well, Anabaptists generally do not subscribe to Luther's solas.

Anabaptists also don't find themselves in harmony with the Reformed view of the state, whether the archaic view of an established state church or the modern view of full participation in politics.

For those Anabaptists that may eventually come to hold some Reformed or Reformed-ish views that are already a part of a community, what is the usual outcome? Are they given the Ban, are they encouraged to keep these things to themselves but otherwise permitted to continue participating as earnest and active members of the community?

In my particular church, it would be considered false doctrine. Someone who held such views either wouldn't become a member in the first place, or else they would be expelled for false doctrine. If they were a minister, being expelled for false doctrine carries the unique constraint that if/when restored to Church fellowship, they would not ever be a minister again.

A quick forum search “TULIP” might be interesting.
87 results
https://forum.mennonet.com/search.php?k ... 4aa5dbcb1e

JohnH wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:01 pm No. Reformed beliefs are entirely incompatible with Anabaptism.

As one Amishman told me, he has more in common with a Catholic than he does with someone who is Reformed and would rather see one of his fellow churchgoers join an Eastern Orthoox church than turn Calvinist.

In particular, Anabaptists reject the doctrines of "eternal security" or "perseverance of the saints" (using the derogatory term "once saved, always saved"). The other 4 points of 5 point Calvinism aren't any more compatible with Anabaptism either; broadening the lens of "Reformed" to include Lutheran doctrines as well, Anabaptists generally do not subscribe to Luther's solas.

Anabaptists also don't find themselves in harmony with the Reformed view of the state, whether the archaic view of an established state church or the modern view of full participation in politics.

For those Anabaptists that may eventually come to hold some Reformed or Reformed-ish views that are already a part of a community, what is the usual outcome? Are they given the Ban, are they encouraged to keep these things to themselves but otherwise permitted to continue participating as earnest and active members of the community?

In my particular church, it would be considered false doctrine. Someone who held such views either wouldn't become a member in the first place, or else they would be expelled for false doctrine. If they were a minister, being expelled for false doctrine carries the unique constraint that if/when restored to Church fellowship, they would not ever be a minister again.

I was under this impression also, and so as an outsider I have trouble placing how and why someone like Mr. Neufeld would write about a Reformed Anabaptist viewpoint.

I’ve long lamented the fact that no place exists for such a person, if my research was to be believed. Somewhere along the way Protestants seem to have lost (or outright discarded) many distinctives that make Anabaptist faith and communities such a treasure to learn about (e.g. mutual aid, communal living, daily walking with the Lord, etc.).

temporal1 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:02 pm A quick forum search “TULIP” might be interesting.
87 results
https://forum.mennonet.com/search.php?k ... 4aa5dbcb1e

I should’ve done this sooner! Forums are not my strong suit. Thank you kindly, friend.

Esdras wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2026 5:24 am

temporal1 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:02 pm A quick forum search “TULIP” might be interesting.
87 results
https://forum.mennonet.com/search.php?k ... 4aa5dbcb1e

I should’ve done this sooner! Forums are not my strong suit. Thank you kindly, friend.

It can be helpful, but, nothing replaces personal info - on forum, and IRL.
There are some well-informed sources on forum (and IRL) - pray for discernment in all matters!

This forum has great leadership/moderation. Mods are available through PM, email, also the option at the top left of every post. Not always instant, but as available. (experienced volunteers)

i’m no tech whiz, mods helped me with some basics when i began. members are patient,

i’m enjoying your input/questions. Welcome to MN!

JohnH wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:01 pm No. Reformed beliefs are entirely incompatible with Anabaptism.

As one Amishman told me, he has more in common with a Catholic than he does with someone who is Reformed and would rather see one of his fellow churchgoers join an Eastern Orthoox church than turn Calvinist.

In particular, Anabaptists reject the doctrines of "eternal security" or "perseverance of the saints" (using the derogatory term "once saved, always saved"). The other 4 points of 5 point Calvinism aren't any more compatible with Anabaptism either; broadening the lens of "Reformed" to include Lutheran doctrines as well, Anabaptists generally do not subscribe to Luther's solas.

Anabaptists also don't find themselves in harmony with the Reformed view of the state, whether the archaic view of an established state church or the modern view of full participation in politics.

For those Anabaptists that may eventually come to hold some Reformed or Reformed-ish views that are already a part of a community, what is the usual outcome? Are they given the Ban, are they encouraged to keep these things to themselves but otherwise permitted to continue participating as earnest and active members of the community?

In my particular church, it would be considered false doctrine. Someone who held such views either wouldn't become a member in the first place, or else they would be expelled for false doctrine. If they were a minister, being expelled for false doctrine carries the unique constraint that if/when restored to Church fellowship, they would not ever be a minister again.

While this describes over 99% of Plain Anabaptists, there are congregations here and there that would permit a person with reformed theology, as long as they were quiet about it, didn't speak about it in Sunday school for example, or try to get others to understand their viewpoint.

Ernie wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2026 6:40 am While this describes over 99% of Plain Anabaptists, there are congregations here and there that would permit a person with reformed theology, as long as they were quiet about it, didn't speak about it in Sunday school for example, or try to get others to understand their viewpoint.

Wouldn't most of those be transitioning away from Anabaptism? For example, BMA used to have congregations like this, but recently tightened things down and ministers / congregations had to either leave or take a stance against Calvinism.

This isn't meant to necessarily condemn Calvinists, but to simply inform folks that holding strongly to Reformed views won't work well in most plain Anabaptist settings.

JohnH wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2026 8:48 am

Ernie wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2026 6:40 am While this describes over 99% of Plain Anabaptists, there are congregations here and there that would permit a person with reformed theology, as long as they were quiet about it, didn't speak about it in Sunday school for example, or try to get others to understand their viewpoint.

Wouldn't most of those be transitioning away from Anabaptism? For example, BMA used to have congregations like this, but recently tightened things down and ministers / congregations had to either leave or take a stance against Calvinism.

This isn't meant to necessarily condemn Calvinists, but to simply inform folks that holding strongly to Reformed views won't work well in most plain Anabaptist settings.

I’m just genuinely surprised that Reformed thinking (from a soteriological perspective) and Anabaptist or Pietistic living (from a practical perspective) has never existed.

It’s very, very, very rare in the history of the Church for some well meaning brother or sister to come by with a new idea. Especially so many years after Calvary!

So I have a deep, abiding and hopefully healthy suspicion that I would be numbered among the first folk to try to puzzle out how these two big beautiful branches of the Reformation might intersect.

I can’t imagine what a difficult choice some Anabaptist brothers would have laid before them, because Anabaptist practices seem to be quite a seven day a week, day in day out sort of thing (and I write this to the glory of God, I think it’s a tremendously positive thing).

Is there really no community anywhere on the planet where the TULIP and BASIN coexist?

The notion that a well meaning Anabaptist brother might come to privately hold to the doctrines of grace and yet have no place to lay his head on the planet where he could live in community while practicing his faith openly seems deeply tragic.