Benjamin Eby was a great-great-grandson of Jacob Eby, who was ordained bishop of the Mennonites at Zurich, Switzerland in 1663. Jacob’s son, Theodor us Eby, left Switzerland in 1704 to escape the persecution of the Mennonites that was going on there. This Eby family settled in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in 1715. Benjamin Eby’s older brother, … Continue reading Who was Benjamin Eby?
Jesus Christ
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 1
PREFACE Kind Reader: Since there are many opinions regarding the Christian faith among Christians, and on this account each religious denomination has and seeks to make known its own individual beliefs, it is therefore necessary that each one, who searches for the truth, can prove the same by the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, I also thought … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 1
What is the New Birth?
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That … Continue reading What is the New Birth?
Succession of the apostolic faith
While many historians consider that there is no historical relationship or kinship of faith between the Cathars, Donatists, Waldensians, Mennonites, etc., we in the Anabaptist tradition believe they were all manifestations of one, holy, apostolic faith. The following paragraphs are excerpted from the author’s introduction to a massive book (1100 pages) compiled in 1660 by … Continue reading Succession of the apostolic faith
Things I learned from the Anglican Church of Canada
I was a member of the Anglican Church of Canada throughout the years of my youth . Fifty years ago, I concluded that it might well have an abundance of outward and visible form, but was sadly lacking in the true inward and spiritual grace. Since that time, the Anglican Church of Canada has abandoned … Continue reading Things I learned from the Anglican Church of Canada
Leadhead and the Golden Rule
I first took note of Norman when the camp leaders took us all on a hike to Lebret. He was a quiet boy, walking with us, yet alone. He seemed like the rest of us, except that he could not hold his head up straight. It tilted towards his right shoulder, almost resting on the … Continue reading Leadhead and the Golden Rule
Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of
It seems that the internet has enabled a decline in civility in society and even among Christians. In the days before the internet, the letters to the editor column in the newspaper was one way that people could make their voice heard. The letters were generally quite civil in tone, perhaps because the newspapers required … Continue reading Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of
The French Foreign Legion and the Church
(My wife has written about the nature of an army and you can read her posts at christineevelynvance - see link at lower right. This is a supplement to what she has written.) The Légion Étrangère was founded in 1831 as a unit of the French Army that would be open to voluntary enlistment by … Continue reading The French Foreign Legion and the Church
A Rock of Refuge
In 1951, when I was nine, my parents bought a small farm just outside of Craik, Saskatchewan. Our living was provided by the cream and butter from a few cows, the eggs from 200 hens and garden produce from two acres of market garden. My father also worked as janitor at the local eight-bed hospital. … Continue reading A Rock of Refuge
The Bible is One Book
There was one more thing I needed to do before I left for Manitoba — find a Bible. I knew where there was a small stack of nearly worn out Bibles, looked through them when no one else was around, selected one that seemed the right size and stashed it in my suitcase. My employer … Continue reading The Bible is One Book
Flatlander Faith 