Crisis of Faith among Anabaptists?

[Josh]

Honestly, this thread makes me a little uncomfortable.

We aren't a part of any conservative Anabaptist group but I have extended family who are. I'm loath to question their faith. Do I think they are perhaps living too much of an unexamined life and perhaps "going through the motions" out of habit? Perhaps. Do I question some of their points of emphasis? Perhaps. But I don't think their faith is at crisis any more than any other Christian group. Doesn't feel like my place to assume so.

Honestly, the entire 2000 year long history of Christianity is basically one long series of crises of faith. And that is probably what God intended. It was never supposed to be easy.

Where I think a lot of Anabaptists go wrong is in their lack of generosity to others. Not generosity in an economic sense. But generosity in a spiritual sense. I see that here as well from some of the more dogmatic commenters. I see nothing in the New Testament that suggests Jesus intended his followers to fracture into thousands of separate sects, divided by often very trivial issues, and then to never associate with each other on a spiritual level.

Well, Ken, nothing is stopping you from joining the true church of God.

With that said, I feel divided between a church that, say, ordains lesbian ministers who hold pet-blessing liturgies.

[Ken]

Honestly, this thread makes me a little uncomfortable.

We aren't a part of any conservative Anabaptist group but I have extended family who are. I'm loath to question their faith. Do I think they are perhaps living too much of an unexamined life and perhaps "going through the motions" out of habit? Perhaps. Do I question some of their points of emphasis? Perhaps. But I don't think their faith is at crisis any more than any other Christian group. Doesn't feel like my place to assume so.

Honestly, the entire 2000 year long history of Christianity is basically one long series of crises of faith. And that is probably what God intended. It was never supposed to be easy.

Where I think a lot of Anabaptists go wrong is in their lack of generosity to others. Not generosity in an economic sense. But generosity in a spiritual sense. I see that here as well from some of the more dogmatic commenters. I see nothing in the New Testament that suggests Jesus intended his followers to fracture into thousands of separate sects, divided by often very trivial issues, and then to never associate with each other on a spiritual level.

Well, Ken, nothing is stopping you from joining the true church of God.

Except for the fact that they believe that to be the case.

[Ms. Izzie]

Ken has a good point.

In Revelations, when Jesus had words for the churches, He had a blessing for those who overcome. These people were inside of churches that He had harsh words for. So I think we do need to be careful about judging an individual's faith, even if they are inside a church which seems lukewarm or whatever else we decide is lacking, whether Anabaptist or not. God has His people in many places, sometimes in surprising places. I'm not just talking about what church they are in. I just read a book about the persecuted church. His Spirit can guide people to places they wouldn't have gone on their own.

But, in my opinion, there is also a place for warnings and critique for the churches as a whole; denominations and religious groups.

[Ms. Izzie]

Ms. Izzie wrote:

Tightly knit communities in which members look to one another for identity, and to establish meaning and value, are disabled and often dangerous, however polished their veneer. -Marilynne Robinson

What do you think of this statement?

I think I have seen this first hand in many Anabaptist communities.

Do you care to elaborate?

[joshuabgood]

As Chester Weaver says, Anabaptists have lost track of their own story, sadly. We have adopted many other angles into our story, which I guess is normal in a sense, as one culture is gradually subsumed by a dominant culture. But this subsumation (I made up a word) is causing a crisis of faith among Anabaptists.

In yesteryear Anabaptists, as has been mentioned, often formed ethnic enclaves, guided by their own language (PA German) and their own histories. However, over time, the cultural barriers have broken, and Anabaptists need an Anabaptism 2.0.

Currently, we are very fragmented as Ernie and Stephen Scott document. We need a compelling Anabaptist vision (Thanks Harold). In the meantime, we bleed people to the neo-reformed folks, the Bethel prophecy folks, the "Grace Point" folks, the prosperity folks, the radio Republican preachers, the Jordan Peterson cult, the neo-Anabaptists (Boyd, McKnight, et al), new-left, the Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, secular humanism, and the FOTW folks.

I am attempting to articulate a compelling Anabaptist vision at Ephrata Mennonite School. But I can tell you it is hard work and the influences are strong.

[HondurasKeiser]

As Chester Weaver says, Anabaptists have lost track of their own story, sadly. We have adopted many other angles into our story, which I guess is normal in a sense, as one culture is gradually subsumed by a dominant culture. But this subsumation (I made up a word) is causing a crisis of faith among Anabaptists.

In yesteryear Anabaptists, as has been mentioned, often formed ethnic enclaves, guided by their own language (PA German) and their own histories. However, over time, the cultural barriers have broken, and Anabaptists need an Anabaptism 2.0.

Currently, we are very fragmented as Ernie and Stephen Scott document. We need a compelling Anabaptist vision (Thanks Harold). In the meantime, we bleed people to the neo-reformed folks, the Bethel prophecy folks, the "Grace Point" folks, the prosperity folks, the radio Republican preachers, the Jordan Peterson cult, the neo-Anabaptists (Boyd, McKnight, et al), new-left, the Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, secular humanism, and the FOTW folks.

I am attempting to articulate a compelling Anabaptist vision at Ephrata Mennonite School. But I can tell you it is hard work and the influences are strong.

I know all the others...who are the FOTW folk?

[GaryK]

As Chester Weaver says, Anabaptists have lost track of their own story, sadly. We have adopted many other angles into our story, which I guess is normal in a sense, as one culture is gradually subsumed by a dominant culture. But this subsumation (I made up a word) is causing a crisis of faith among Anabaptists.

In yesteryear Anabaptists, as has been mentioned, often formed ethnic enclaves, guided by their own language (PA German) and their own histories. However, over time, the cultural barriers have broken, and Anabaptists need an Anabaptism 2.0.

Currently, we are very fragmented as Ernie and Stephen Scott document. We need a compelling Anabaptist vision (Thanks Harold). In the meantime, we bleed people to the neo-reformed folks, the Bethel prophecy folks, the "Grace Point" folks, the prosperity folks, the radio Republican preachers, the Jordan Peterson cult, the neo-Anabaptists (Boyd, McKnight, et al), new-left, the Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, secular humanism, and the FOTW folks.

I am attempting to articulate a compelling Anabaptist vision at Ephrata Mennonite School. But I can tell you it is hard work and the influences are strong.

I know all the others...who are the FOTW folk?

I'm assuming Followers of The Way in Boston. Finny Kuruvilla is one of the main leaders.

[joshuabgood]

I should add...this is not to criticize these groups. And there is no strategic order. It came as I was just thinking influences I see. But there is not equivalency obviously with FOTW and secular humanism.

I personally deeply appreciate FOTW. Have listened to many of their teachings and read cover to cover Finny's book. And I am personally friends with Bro Finny. What I see is them presenting a compelling vision...and in our CA circles we need to do a more effective job. I am hoping my own son will go to Sattler btw...and I encourage our students to consider going. I also deeply appreciate Greg Boyd and McKnight. And even some of the rabid reformed folks for their passion (Washer, Sprouls, et al).

Still where is the compelling CA vision? I see FBEP working that direction and really love what they are doing...

[Ken]

As Chester Weaver says, Anabaptists have lost track of their own story, sadly. We have adopted many other angles into our story, which I guess is normal in a sense, as one culture is gradually subsumed by a dominant culture. But this subsumation (I made up a word) is causing a crisis of faith among Anabaptists.

In yesteryear Anabaptists, as has been mentioned, often formed ethnic enclaves, guided by their own language (PA German) and their own histories. However, over time, the cultural barriers have broken, and Anabaptists need an Anabaptism 2.0.

Currently, we are very fragmented as Ernie and Stephen Scott document. We need a compelling Anabaptist vision (Thanks Harold). In the meantime, we bleed people to the neo-reformed folks, the Bethel prophecy folks, the "Grace Point" folks, the prosperity folks, the radio Republican preachers, the Jordan Peterson cult, the neo-Anabaptists (Boyd, McKnight, et al), new-left, the Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, secular humanism, and the FOTW folks.

I am attempting to articulate a compelling Anabaptist vision at Ephrata Mennonite School. But I can tell you it is hard work and the influences are strong.

Is what you are describing a "crisis of faith" or a crisis of relevance?

[barnhart]

...Still where is the compelling CA vision? I see FBEP working that direction and really love what they are doing...

Can you give me five points of your Anabaptist vision?