Mennonite Objections to Catholicism in a Nutshell

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ESMDHokie77

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Hey CAF!

I was wondering if anyone could give me a brief summary of what Mennonites believe, and what their most likely objections to Catholicism would be? In a few months I’ll be taking a weekend trip with my girlfriend, (who is Presbyterian), to visit her grandparents that go to a Mennonite worship service. I’m not sure which specific group of Mennonites they are a part of; but I want to be sure that all my bases are covered with any odd or unforeseen questions they would likely have for me!

God Bless,
Phil
 
The two big objections are going to be pedobaptism and the eucharist.
 
Hmm, nothing that I hadn’t predicted that I will get asked on… Maybe I’m getting good at this defense of the Faith stuff! 😃

Thanks all, are you speaking from experience? How about anyone else?

Peace,
Phil
 
Based on some personal interaction with mennonites, I believe their differences pretty much mirror those of Baptists, although I could be wrong.

Personally, I don’t worry a lot about details… things that don’t affect salvation. And a lot of it is just semantics, imo – we believe the same things, just state them differently or place more emphasize on one aspect of belief than the other.
 
ESMDHokie77 said:
Hey CAF!

I was wondering if anyone could give me a brief summary of what Mennonites believe,…
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most fall into what could be classified as a typical evangelical Christian with a dash of pacificism
…and what their most likely objections to Catholicism would be?
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as a Mennonite my (non-exhaustive and randomly ordered) list regarding doctrine would be:
  1. all beliefs concerning Mary (apart from her virginity before the birth) which elevate her (in any way) above the rest of mankind
  2. any belief that suggests that grace can be treated as a commodity (ie stored in a treasury, dispensed by the keeper of the treasury, conferred by clergy to a recipient utilizing any sacrament)
  3. the Catholic sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper being merely ordinances) and in particular:
    Code: 
       a) infant baptism

   b) the somatic real presence/ transubstantiation
  4. the form of clerical hierarchy found in the CC, including the office of the Pope and its infallibility and apostolic succession
  5. the CC’s claim of being the one true church and its claims of possessing an infallible teaching magisterium and a special authority
  6. the Apocrypha as scripture
7)the manner in which images and statues are used in worship/devotion
  1. purgatory
  2. praying to any one other than God
They might also be curious about how you would defend certain historical actions by the CC such as:

a) the use of violence in so many things (but in particular in the persecution of Mennonites)

b) the selling of indulgences

c) the toleration of openly sinful clergy (particularly in the office of the Pope)…ie how could he be appointed in the first place and then why wasn’t he removed as soon as possible?

d) its reluctance (opposition) to make the Bible (being the words of God) available to all (in their own language)
 
LtTony said:
Based on some personal interaction with mennonites, I believe their differences pretty much mirror those of Baptists, although I could be wrong.

Personally, I don’t worry a lot about details… things that don’t affect salvation. And a lot of it is just semantics, imo – we believe the same things, just state them differently or place more emphasize on one aspect of belief than the other.
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The eucharist is semantics?
 
ESMDHokie77 said:
Hey CAF!

I was wondering if anyone could give me a brief summary of what Mennonites believe, and what their most likely objections to Catholicism would be? In a few months I’ll be taking a weekend trip with my girlfriend, (who is Presbyterian), to visit her grandparents that go to a Mennonite worship service. I’m not sure which specific group of Mennonites they are a part of; but I want to be sure that all my bases are covered with any odd or unforeseen questions they would likely have for me!

God Bless,
Phil
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Phil,

Always good to listen politely, and then compare it to Scripture to see if it is so
“Now these [Bereans] were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

A brief statement of beliefs held by Mennonites can be found at
anabaptists.org/history/cof-1963.html

I invite you to do a little homework, check out the Mennonite statements of belief, compare against the Catholic teachings, locate the Scripture verses (God’s Word, our ultimate authority) discussing these issues, and post back your findings to enlighten everyone here.
John 17:17
 
Nine_Two said:
The eucharist is semantics?
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Absolutely!
  • Transubstantiation - the substance of the eucharist and wine transforms to the substance of Christ’s body and blood
  • Consubstantiation - the substance of Christ’s body and blood co-exists with the substance (and retained form) of the eucharist and wine
  • Symbolism - the bread and cup symbolize the body and blood of Christ which He offered up on our behalf - and serve as a reminder and a proclamation “of His death until He comes again” (1 Cor 11:26)
Huge difference there. Symantecs (the study of meaning) is obviously of paramount importance. No “it’s all the same, just sematics” brush-off is possible.

And it’s certainly not advised to skip it as an “opinion”
“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.” (1 Cor 11:27)
2 Tim 2:15
 
“Now these [Bereans] were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

Who says we don’t? We do. In context, and more than one verse for one question.
 
Radical-a) the use of violence in so many things (but in particular in the persecution of Mennonites
Me- Source plz?
c) the toleration of openly sinful clergy (particularly in the office of the Pope)…ie how could he be appointed in the first place and then why wasn’t he removed as soon as possible?

d) its reluctance (opposition) to make the Bible (being the words of God) available to all (in their own language)
Pure speculation on your part, and not based in reallity. The reason my ex wifes congregation split, was because one side favored everything be done in German, the other side English. They cannot at times agree on what language they should use. The Mennonites of today have become much more watered down, and bear no resemblance to their More conservative forbearers, which are dying out at an alarming rate. You do however have the Beachy Mennonites, which are still very much conservative. 🙂
 
ESMDHokie77 said:
Hey CAF!

I was wondering if anyone could give me a brief summary of what Mennonites believe, and what their most likely objections to Catholicism would be? In a few months I’ll be taking a weekend trip with my girlfriend, (who is Presbyterian), to visit her grandparents that go to a Mennonite worship service. I’m not sure which specific group of Mennonites they are a part of; but I want to be sure that all my bases are covered with any odd or unforeseen questions they would likely have for me!

God Bless,
Phil
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That may be a little difficult my friend. Each congregation for the most part has its own Ord Nung. or order. I probably spelled the last word wrong. but oh well. this document lays out this particular congregations standard. How they will dress, How they will worship, What bible they will use, also Their beliefs reguarding Various doctrines. What unites them is the Teachings of Menno Simons. Passive resistance, Believer Baptism, The Lords Supper 2 times a year, (this may vary depending on the congregtion) Foot Washing, which is done in conjunction with the Lords supper. Greeting one another with a Holy kiss. Some of your more older more Conservative congregations Genuflect after receiving the Host. I always found that interesting. Peace to you and yours. 👍
 
Um…try the fact that the Mennonites are descended from the Anabaptists, who were burned alive, tortured and pursued almost to extinction by Catholics.
 
ESMDHokie77 said:
Hey CAF!

I was wondering if anyone could give me a brief summary of what Mennonites believe, and what their most likely objections to Catholicism would be? In a few months I’ll be taking a weekend trip with my girlfriend, (who is Presbyterian), to visit her grandparents that go to a Mennonite worship service. I’m not sure which specific group of Mennonites they are a part of; but I want to be sure that all my bases are covered with any odd or unforeseen questions they would likely have for me!

God Bless,
Phil
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On second thought, Phil, may I make a suggestion.

*Don’t *get into any arguments or ‘discussions’. Your relationship with your girlfriend appears to be getting serious, and you don’t want to win a battle, or even several battles, and lose the war.

There’s a good chance that her grandparents are serious Mennonites. They may be geared up for real arguments. They may know the NT (and the OT!) a lot better than you do! They may know *all about *the Anabaptist persecutions.

If they try to involve you in religious ‘discussions’ I would avoid it. Figure out how. “I’m no theologian.” is a good one.

Sit this one out.
 
Radical said:
  1. praying to any one other than God
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The verb ‘to pray’ means to ask. The root is Latin Precare - ‘to entreat, to implore’

Note the example given by Shakespear in Hamlet, Act 1, Scene II
QUEEN GERTRUDE
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Code: 
Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet:
** I pray thee**, stay with us; go not to Wittenberg.
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HAMLET
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Code: 
I shall in all my best obey you, madam.
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Do Mennonites object to Shakespeare on the grounds that he portrays one character praying to another?
 
Bigquests, thanks for the advice. If they bring up torture it’s a matter of stating that Zwingli’s followers persecuted Anabaptists before Catholics did… if that’s much of an excuse and if Wikipedia can be believed.

Let me clarify, I am not planning on going on the offensive, but I will defend what I believe and why I do if asked. I’m not looking to bring it up if I don’t have to. I hope that in ALL of my religious discussions that I never instigate “heated debates”.

I found it amusing when my girlfriend told me that her grandparents had already asked her the following: “is he a christian”, “why he calls priests fathers”, “is he saved”… I also gather that she answered those questions as I have answered them in the past. She’s not even Catholic yet she knows why I am!

Peace,
Phil
 
ESMDHokie77 said:
Bigquests, thanks for the advice. If they bring up torture it’s a matter of stating that Zwingli’s followers persecuted Anabaptists before Catholics did… if that’s much of an excuse and if Wikipedia can be believed.

Let me clarify, I am not planning on going on the offensive, but I will defend what I believe and why I do if asked. I’m not looking to bring it up if I don’t have to. I hope that in ALL of my religious discussions that I never instigate “heated debates”.

I found it amusing when my girlfriend told me that her grandparents had already asked her the following: “is he a christian”, “why he calls priests fathers”, “is he saved”… I also gather that she answered those questions as I have answered them in the past. She’s not even Catholic yet she knows why I am!

Peace,
Phil
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Just be careful, Phil. This is really not about doctrinal differences. Most young people LOVE their grandparents, sometimes more than their own parents. They may laugh at their old ways, old-fashioned religion, etc., but don’t cross the grandparents. My daughters were very protective of their aged grandmother and her elderly opinions. If I dared express those same opinions, I’d get it head-on! I wouldn’t bring religion up at all, and prepare carefully some brief answers. Talk about your common belief in Christ. That’s about all. And yes, you *think *that you’re saved…! 😉
 
Brendan said:
The verb ‘to pray’ means to ask. The root is Latin Precare - ‘to entreat, to implore’

Note the example given by Shakespear in Hamlet, Act 1, Scene II

Do Mennonites object to Shakespeare on the grounds that he portrays one character praying to another?
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No, they would be against Shakespeare on the grounds he is Frivolous entertainment. 😃
 
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