What is Anabaptism?
Table of contents
With a broad question like, 鈥渨hat is Anabaptism?鈥� one place to start is by forming a working definition.
A working definition of Anabaptism
At AMBS, we know a thing or two about Anabaptism. (It鈥檚 literally in our name.) So what is Anabaptism? Likely every person at AMBS would give you a slightly different answer to how to define Anabaptism.
Anabaptism emerged as a Christian movement in sixteenth-century Europe, but today its heirs鈥攚hether called Mennonite, Brethren, Amish, neo-Anabaptist, or any number of other designations鈥攁re scattered around the world, and especially the global South. At AMBS, our work in Anabaptist theological education is rooted in the saving power of the life, death, resurrection and ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Learn more about AMBS and about our values.
Ready to read a bit more about Anabaptism?
At AMBS, our faculty and students contribute to many journal articles and books about Anabaptism.
Studies in Anabaptist Theology and Ethics series
Studies in Anabaptist Theology and Ethics is a book series from the Institute of Mennonite Studies dedicated to displaying the vibrant global resurgence of theological reflection and praxis in and adjacent to the Anabaptist tradition. In a world that is fraught with overt and covert forms of violence, this series provides a platform for global voices to contribute new ways of seeing, understanding, and living what it means to love one鈥檚 enemy and one鈥檚 neighbor with the peace of God that surpasses much of the wisdom of the day.
Anabaptist Identities in a Changing World
Anabaptist Witness, a journal published by the Institute of Mennonite Studies, dedicated the first issue of its relaunch in October 2014 issue to the theme of 鈥�.鈥�
From the editorial by Jamie Ross, co-editor of the journal at the time: 鈥淭his first issue explores Anabaptist and Mennonite identities 鈥� how they have evolved and how they might help us live into our communities and the work God calls us to. As an example, [Neal] Blough challenges us in his article to find creative ways to teach and sustain an Anabaptist theological identity, one that is made real through daily discipleship and both passed on to our congregations as well as shared with other Christians. It is this shared identity as Anabaptists, he contends, that might hold us together through interchurch schisms, and allow dialogue with each other and the broader church.鈥�
Reading the Bible as if our lives depend on it
Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology, a journal published by the Institute of Mennonite Studies, dedicated its relaunch in Fall 2021 issue to the theme of 鈥�.鈥�
From the editorial by guest co-editors Michelle Christian Curtis and Scott Litwiller: 鈥淟earning to read the Bible as if our lives depend on it is a journey from standing outside the biblical text to finding ourselves inside it. Instead of trying to master the Bible intellectually, we join biblical characters in a desperate search for God, who cannot be tamed by finite human minds. The phrase 鈥渞eading the Bible as if our lives depend on it鈥� came to us through our beloved 911爆料网 professor Mary Schertz, who adapted it from Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis. We proposed an issue of Vision dedicated to this idea in honor of Mary鈥檚 lifelong work teaching students to read Scripture in exactly this way. Our aspiration for this issue is to share with the church the practices of reading Scripture that helped us to encounter God in new ways, practices we learned from Mary.鈥�
Invite someone to speak on Anabaptism
Want to invite a speaker to come talk more about Anabaptism? Invite AMBS is a unique opportunity to invite the faculty and staff of AMBS to come directly to you about many topics, including Anabaptism.
Ready to dig a little deeper into Anabaptism?
One of the best ways to get a glimpse into Anabaptism is through our six-week online short courses. Each year, AMBS offers Exploring Anabaptist History and Theology, a short course that surveys the history and theology of the first Anabaptists alongside various interpretations of 鈥淎nabaptism鈥� and its meaning today.
Building a deeper Anabaptist framework
At AMBS, our academic programs build skills for spiritual growth, intercultural competence, contextual analysis and interpretation, leadership practice, and peacebuilding, all within an Anabaptist framework.
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