"We seek and desire with yearning ardent hearts, yea at the cost of our life and blood, that the holy Gospel of Jesus Christ and His apostles, which alone is the true doctrine and will remain and will remain until Jesus Christ will reappear in the clouds, may be taught and preached throughout all the … Continue reading Decaying faith
Menno Simons
PIETISM
Hassle-free piety? Jesus said: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19) . The apostle Paul wrote: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]” (Ephesians 5:11). Those people who were … Continue reading PIETISM
PIETY
The Greek word Eusebia “denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Eusebia is most often translated godliness in the AV/KJV translation and by piété in French translations and pietà in Italian. Piety is characterized by a living relationship with … Continue reading PIETY
Letter from Menno Simons to the wife of Leenart Bouwens
The year is 1553, the Anabaptists in the Netherlands are being fiercely persecuted and Leenart Bouwens has just been elected to the ministry by the congregation at Sommeldyk. His wife fears for his life and writes to Menno Simons, hoping that he can relieve her husband from such a frightening responsibility. This is his replay. … Continue reading Letter from Menno Simons to the wife of Leenart Bouwens
We must use words
There is a saying that we hear from time to time that goes “preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words”. This is attributed to Francis of Assisi from long ago. I’m not sure why we should consider him to be a wise counsellor for Christians today when it comes to sharing … Continue reading We must use words
How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part three
By 1870, there were close to two million Germans living in Russia. For the most part they lived in self-governing colonies, exempt from taxation, military service and other obligations of Russian citizenship. They had their own German language schools, regulated their own affairs and kept apart from the Ukrainian and Russian people. Is it any … Continue reading How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part three
How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part two
The two most prominent leaders of the church that came to be known as Mennonites were Dietrich (Dirk) Philips of Flanders (now part of Belgium) and Menno Simons of Friesland (northern part of Netherlands). These leaders did not establish a new faith, or a new church, but simply gathered together the remnant of the Waldensians … Continue reading How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part two
Confused churches
Louis Riel, the 19th century Métis leader, was troubled by the things he experienced from the churches of his day. He read in the Bible about a Church of Jesus Christ that was characterized by love and peace. What he saw in both the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches was oppression and pride. The churches … Continue reading Confused churches
Uncomfortable truths taught by Menno
Yes, dear reader, true Christian faith as it is required in Scripture, is so living, active and strong in all those who through the grace of the Lord have rightly obtained it, that they do not hesitate to forsake father, mother, wife, children, money and possessions for the Word and testimony of the Lord; to … Continue reading Uncomfortable truths taught by Menno
Mennonite vs Menno
After centuries of persecution, the defenceless Christians of Europe were scattered and demoralized and the persecutors began to feel they were rid of these people whose existence was so troubling to them. They were troubling because they taught, and lived, a faith that testified of the truth and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. … Continue reading Mennonite vs Menno
Flatlander Faith 