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ozarkernie
Guest
I’m wondering if some of you would be willing to articulate what you think of Anabaptists. (Amish, Mennonites, & Hutterites) What do you think of their origins, their beliefs, and their lifestyle?
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Pixie_Dust
Guest
I’ve never heard of Hutterites, but I do admire the Amish and Mennonite people for their dedication to living simple lives without a lot of modern trappings. Obviously the Amish do this more to the extreme than Mennonites.
So… a little Googling produced this:
It seems that all three of these groups were formed during the “Reformation” and founded by a man or group of men, further splintering the Church. Generally speaking, they are our brethren in Christ, though there are some definite doctrinal differences.
What do Anabaptists think of Catholics?
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St_Francis
Guest
The Catholic Church is the church founded by Christ Himself, so we think that churches founded by others are not the True Church.
Since the Catholic Church teaches what Christ taught the apostles, we believe the other churches are teaching various amounts of error, along with some of the truths taught by the Catholic Church.
Overall, the Church does not believe that the outer manifestations of lifestyle which differentiate these groups are necessary, but they are certainly admired by many individual Catholics, some of whom emulate them.
All that being said, however, the Church also recognizes that most of the people in these other spiritual communities have not necessarily rejected the Catholic Church, and that their members are striving to love Christ. We do not think that they are *bad, *just mistaken. Unfortunately, the mistakes could have eternal consequences, so we pray for them to worship God as fully as can be done, which is only in the Catholic Church.
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CB_Catholic
Guest
The Anabaptists do not believe in infant baptism, and insisted that those who were baptized as infants be rebaptized as adults. I believe that is the meaning of the term. Catholics and some other Protestant denominations do practice infant baptism, so we are in obvious dis agreement on this.
Their beliefs are mostly standard Protestant beliefs, although I don’t think they ascribe to OSAS, and believe that one can backslide and lose his salvation. They hold traditional Christian beliefs as far as Jesus Christ, the Trinity, etc., which are held in common with Catholics, but they do not believe in Sacred Tradition, the Eucharist, the
Communion of Saints, the role of Mary, the Sacraments, etc. that Catholics hold.
As to their lifestyle, there is nothing really that a Catholic would object to–nothing doctrinal or dogmatic to disagree with, and are to be admired for their modesty in dress and their hard-working ways. It is just their lifestyle and is not sinful or objectionable in any way.
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Publisher
Guest
Good to see you posting friend. I am not a Catholic but thought I’d post anyways. Over 20 years ago my wife and I were considering moving to Washington and join a Hutterite community who was seeking new members. We had taken steps to live our lives a bit more simple and “plain” and considered the Hutterites seriously. My wife spoke German…languages are daunting for me…when in college I was considering serving with the Amayra’s in Bolivia as the Friend’s Church has a large mission…but “life happened” and plans changed.
I have been content to remain among Friends and at 55 years of age, I am grateful for the teachings I have received and implemented into my life from the Society of Friends. The only time I’ve ever considered leaving the SoF was to join a Hutterite community…which would have required water baptism to place myself under the authority of the leadership.
Hope you stay and offer another voice to our common faith in Christ.
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PaulDupre
Guest
Yes, and they are often re-baptised after committing serious sin as a sign of committment to a new repentant life. A number of Protestant sects do this as well.
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ozarkernie
Guest
Thanks for sharing your perspectives.
It would be hard for me to say what Anabaptists think of Catholics, since we have an incredible diversity of belief and practice.
Many of us would think favorably of the Apostles Creed and believe ourselves to be part of THE catholic church. We would not view the Catholic church as being the head of THE catholic church.
Make sense?
In broad strokes, just as Muslims have trouble forgetting the crusades, we have trouble forgetting the Reformation whenever both Catholics and Protestants beheaded, drowned and burned over 5000 of our ancestors. I’m glad that the pope (while he was still a cardinal) felt bad about this and did what he could to officially apologize for what happened.
From our perspective THE catholic church is made up of all those who actually followed Christ and gave evidence of it by the fruit of their lives. We would not believe that just because a person prays a prayer, or joins a certain church that they are then automatically part of THE catholic church. From this perspective, many of us are OK with devout Catholics considering themselves part of THE catholic church.
Anytime a Christian believer (whether Catholic, Protestant, or otherwise) takes a stand for something that we think is according to the mind of Christ, we feel a bit of kinship with them.
I realize our perspective is quite unique, but since one of you asked, I attempted a reply.
It would be hard for me to say what Anabaptists think of Catholics, since we have an incredible diversity of belief and practice.
Many of us would think favorably of the Apostles Creed and believe ourselves to be part of THE catholic church. We would not view the Catholic church as being the head of THE catholic church.
Make sense?
In broad strokes, just as Muslims have trouble forgetting the crusades, we have trouble forgetting the Reformation whenever both Catholics and Protestants beheaded, drowned and burned over 5000 of our ancestors. I’m glad that the pope (while he was still a cardinal) felt bad about this and did what he could to officially apologize for what happened.
From our perspective THE catholic church is made up of all those who actually followed Christ and gave evidence of it by the fruit of their lives. We would not believe that just because a person prays a prayer, or joins a certain church that they are then automatically part of THE catholic church. From this perspective, many of us are OK with devout Catholics considering themselves part of THE catholic church.
Anytime a Christian believer (whether Catholic, Protestant, or otherwise) takes a stand for something that we think is according to the mind of Christ, we feel a bit of kinship with them.
I realize our perspective is quite unique, but since one of you asked, I attempted a reply.
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ozarkernie
Guest
As far as I know, the only rebaptizing that is done is if a person was baptized as an infant. Perhaps you know of some fringe group that baptizes again after a person commits a serious sin?
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brb3
Guest
That would seem the Biblical imperative … per Christ’s teaching.
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AmateurPianist
Guest
I for one have great respect for your history. I found a copy of Martyr’s Mirror over the internet and spent some time reading it.
You were the folks that were being killed for Jesus Christ and were the only ones as far as I can tell that weren’t into “killing other Christians for Jesus”.
Here is the story of one martyr, Michael Sattler.
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brb3
Guest
He was very misinformed about scriptures … per his testimony. Denying efficaciousness of baptism and denying the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
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AmateurPianist
Guest
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benidict
Guest
my ex- wife is a mennonite. her relatives are amish. while we were married, we spent alot of time among these people. which branch do you belong to? i enjoyed my time around the amish the most. especially down in arcola illinois where her relatives lived. its a different way of life. much quieter. completly different rythym from what most people live. mennonites, more open in some respects, but they all can cook. doesnt matter if its a funeral wedding, or just sunday dinner. it rocks! menno simons breakaway was the only one of the protestant movements that did not lead to violence from its adherants. munsterites not included, but they were under a different influence i believe, and menno simons soundly condemned their actions in his writings. while i disagree with believers baptism only, they do have similar views on salvation and living a Holy life, along with the Catholics. they have not been tainted by calvinism, and that is a good thing. hope this helps. Peace to you and yours
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reggieM
Guest
I admire the Amish lifestyle. I like the family orientation, simplicity, friendship and good work they do (a group around here makes good cookies
). Their origins and beliefs are a serious problem, but I feel the same about every Protestant group.
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benidict
Guest
the real book is very thick. i own one. and this is correct, they did not partake in the violence that gripped europe in those days. very admirable. they were and are still a peace church. the more conservative element i know, still hold to very strict ideas about use of force. they wont do it. i remember reading Michael sattlers story. just do not remember the details. will check it out. Peace
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Publisher
Guest
I understand that is your belief and the belief of your faith community.
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brb3
Guest
More importantly, do you understand/accept this to be the ‘teaching of Christ’ ?
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brb3
Guest
We both know it did not. Nevertheless … in the Middle ages life was rough, and one couldn’t appeal a verdict to a liberal Supreme Court.
In that day, the ‘ends justified the means’ in certain cases. Heretics were especially feared … as a ‘cancer’ upon the faith. Viewed to a certain extent as ‘sodomites’ who would polute/corrupt and lead others astray.
And indeed Luther and many others, before and since, have done just this.
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Anna_Scott
Guest
Hi AP,
I too respect the history of nonviolence. Most of the rest of us share a history of violence “in the name of Christ.” Pope John Paul II took a great step in acknowledging this tragic history. I think more Protestant Churches should have followed his example. There were a few that did, but not enough.
Anna
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Anna_Scott
Guest
Benidict,my ex- wife is a mennonite. her relatives are amish. while we were married, we spent alot of time among these people. which branch do you belong to? i enjoyed my time around the amish the most. especially down in arcola illinois where her relatives lived. its a different way of life. much quieter. completly different rythym from what most people live. mennonites, more open in some respects, but they all can cook. doesnt matter if its a funeral wedding, or just sunday dinner. it rocks! menno simons breakaway was the only one of the protestant movements that did not lead to violence from its adherants. munsterites not included, but they were under a different influence i believe, and menno simons soundly condemned their actions in his writings. while i disagree with believers baptism only, they do have similar views on salvation and living a Holy life, along with the Catholics. they have not been tainted by calvinism, and that is a good thing. hope this helps. Peace to you and yours
I didn’t know your ex-wife was a Mennonite. Sounds like you had a very interesting experience with Mennonite and Amish Christians. Sometimes that “simple” way of life looks very appealing.
Anna
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