Looking for book recommendations on multiple subjects.

[Praxis+Theodicy]

For Anabaptist theology, there is The Doctrine of the Mennonites by Wenger, and God's Story, Our Story by Michele Hershberger.

From outsiders' perspectives, others mentioned Resident Aliens, and I'd add to that Stuart Murray's The Naked Anabaptist.

But most of all, I have a collection of small papers and articles that you can find free online. I can't gather links now but I might be able to revisit this thread later.

• An Overview of Anabaptist Life and Thought (and what I love about being a part of this faith tradition) by Ernest Eby.

• Our Christ-Centered Faith by JC Wenger.

• How Anabaptists Understand Scripture by Dan Ziegler.

• The Anabaptist Vision by Harold S. Bender.

• What is an Anabaptist Christian? by Palmer Becker.

• Anabaptism: Past, Present, and Future by Walter Beachy, Allen Roth, and Daniel Yoder.

[JimFoxvog]

If you aren't already familiar with it, a good layperson's start on Anabaptist theology is A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. Free .pdf here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content ... ective.pdf

[Divos25]

Like how to deal with spiritual attacks and cut them out at there root and things like deliverance prayers rather than actually casting out demons. Sorry for the confusion.

I'm not sure what books I would recommend here. Most of what I have read or heard taught seems a little too far in one direction or the other. Either people want to stay away from the whole topic ... or they go overboard.

Does anyone know really good resources on spiritual warfare?

The only book I'm aware of from a Mennonite/Anabaptist perspective is Even the Demons Submit: Continuing Jesus’ Ministry of Deliverance, which contains a rather academic set of articles from a conference at AMBS several years ago.
https://ambs.edu/book/even-the-demons-s ... liverance/

Deliverence ministry is not typically a core Anabaptist practice. We tend to prefer a more well-mannered Holy Spirit.

Thanks both of you. I'll look at the articles some time, even if it doesn't work thank you for Trying.

Bootstrap, Do you know any books for getting a clear understanding of the beliefs practices and expectations of Anabaptism. Like something for someone who wants to know more and is considering conversion/a guide on how to practice it if they cannot actually go to an Anabaptist Church and learn from them?

[Bootstrap]

Bootstrap, Do you know any books for getting a clear understanding of the beliefs practices and expectations of Anabaptism. Like something for someone who wants to know more and is considering conversion/a guide on how to practice it if they cannot actually go to an Anabaptist Church and learn from them?

Hi Divos,

Are you looking for:

1. Books on plain Mennonites and plain Anabaptists, or
2. Books about Mennonite and Anabaptist theology in general?

For #1, I think you have seen good recommendations in this thread. For an overview of my own beliefs, I think the 1995 Mennonite Confession of Faith is quite good:

https://anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/in ... ive_(1995)

What things attract you to Mennonites and Anabaptists? Plain dress and withdrawing from the world? The model of Gelassenheit found in plain churches? Other people can help you with that, it's not the part of Anabaptism I have been part of, though I did dress plain for three years once upon a time.

Interpreting the Bible through the lens of Jesus? Seeking first the Kingdom of God? Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself? Serving others and being the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth? In addition to the resources already mentioned in this thread, there are some good ones not written by Anabaptists, but in line with our understanding of these things. And these are things closer to my own understanding and practice.

So ... what are you looking for? Maybe it's not one of the two options I thought of ...

[JohnH]

One book I recommend getting your hands on is Leonard Verduin's "The Reformers and their Stepchildren".

For an easier read, I recommend Myron Augsberger's "A Pilgrim Aflame", which tells the story of Michael Sattler.

The Martyrs' Mirror is another very good resource to read and probably the most "authoritative" reference on Anabaptism, in the sense that most Anabaptists would affirm it.

[Valerie]

Like how to deal with spiritual attacks and cut them out at there root and things like deliverance prayers rather than actually casting out demons. Sorry for the confusion.

I'm not sure what books I would recommend here. Most of what I have read or heard taught seems a little too far in one direction or the other. Either people want to stay away from the whole topic ... or they go overboard.

Does anyone know really good resources on spiritual warfare?

Really, I think the teachings in the New Testament are sufficient for doing spiritual warfare- in fact I suggest reading through and writing Scriptures that speak into this and apply them in prayer. I agree one can go overboard both directions but Jesus was attacked and satan tempted Him and He dealt with it by Gods own Words. Ephesians 6 is a good reference. Satan can attack, oppress, etc & If we are really grounded in Gods Word and filled with the Holy Spirit we can appropriately apply the weapons of warfare (Ephesians 6).

[Bootstrap]

Like how to deal with spiritual attacks and cut them out at there root and things like deliverance prayers rather than actually casting out demons. Sorry for the confusion.

I'm not sure what books I would recommend here. Most of what I have read or heard taught seems a little too far in one direction or the other. Either people want to stay away from the whole topic ... or they go overboard.

Does anyone know really good resources on spiritual warfare?

Really, I think the teachings in the New Testament are sufficient for doing spiritual warfare- in fact I suggest reading through and writing Scriptures that speak into this and apply them in prayer. I agree one can go overboard both directions but Jesus was attacked and satan tempted Him and He dealt with it by Gods own Words. Ephesians 6 is a good reference. Satan can attack, oppress, etc & If we are really grounded in Gods Word and filled with the Holy Spirit we can appropriately apply the weapons of warfare (Ephesians 6).

And we do not need to be terrified.

"He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

[Divos25]

If you aren't already familiar with it, a good layperson's start on Anabaptist theology is A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. Free .pdf here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content ... ective.pdf

I want to thank everyone for their very helpful posts first I am reading the confession of faith. for some reason it is taking me longer than normal to finish it. I really appreciate everyone's help with this!

[JohnH]

If you aren't already familiar with it, a good layperson's start on Anabaptist theology is A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. Free .pdf here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content ... ective.pdf

I want to thank everyone for their very helpful posts first I am reading the confession of faith. for some reason it is taking me longer than normal to finish it. I really appreciate everyone's help with this!

I would note that this document is quite specific to the mainstream/liberal/progressive points of view of Anabaptism.

[Divos25]

If you aren't already familiar with it, a good layperson's start on Anabaptist theology is A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. Free .pdf here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content ... ective.pdf

I want to thank everyone for their very helpful posts first I am reading the confession of faith. for some reason it is taking me longer than normal to finish it. I really appreciate everyone's help with this!

I would note that this document is quite specific to the mainstream/liberal/progressive points of view of Anabaptism.

I definitely want to look at the beliefs of Article 17 Onwards in more detail with and gain more knowledge of the differences between progressive/mainstream and conservative/traditional Anabaptism. I think divorce should only be when some form of adultery is present or if their spouse leaves and is either no longer a Christian or never was.I do however think separation without divorce needs to be allowed to prevent domestic abuse and violence. After talking with other people in the thread I made on nonviolence I think I technically am not nonviolent when it comes to defending others in extreme circumstances but those issues are so rare its rather moot. I do not believe in killing