AN INTRODUCTION TO MENNONITE STUDIES

MENN 100

MENN 100

Short Intro to the Mennonites

Who are the Mennonites?

Descendants of a group of so-called “Radical Reformers” from the 16th-c. European Reformation

Who are the Mennonites?

Known today in North America more popularly

for their foodways, culture, music and coral

singing, religious characteristics, pacifism,

and rural lifestyle

Who are the Mennonites?

Population:

①  Fraser Valley – 18,000

Mennonites in the Fraser Valley

Who are the Mennonites?

Population:

①  Fraser Valley – 18,000

②  British Columbia – 25,000

Mennonites in British Columbia

Who are the Mennonites?

Population:

①  Fraser Valley – 18,000

②  British Columbia – 25,000

③  Canada – 136,000

Mennonites in Canada

Who are the Mennonites?

Population:

①  Fraser Valley – 18,000

②  British Columbia – 25,000

③  Canada – 136,000

④  United States – 387,000

Who are the Mennonites?

Population:

①  Fraser Valley – 18,000

②  British Columbia – 25,000

③  Canada – 136,000

④  United States – 387,000

⑤  Worldwide – 1.6 million

Who are the Mennonites?

Approximately 30 identifiable Mennonite

groups in North America and approximately 100

larger national bodies worldwide

Dutch Mennonite schisms

MENN 100

Expectations and Themes of the Course

Course Expectations…Or, Why take Mennonite Studies?

!  Understanding Mennonite history leads to a greater appreciation for Mennonite values and actions

!  Exploring issues of Mennonite identity will raise the difficult socio-economic, political, and religious questions

!  The Mennonite story is (or can be) part of our collective memory

!  Doing history helps us to more favourably make history, i.e. history functions as inspiration

MENN 100

Mennonite Studies Sources & Resources

Historiography

Roth, John D. "Recent Currents in the Historiography of the Radical Reformation." Church History 71, no. 3 (September 2002): 523-36.

"  Begins with analysis of Harold S. Bender’s The Anabaptist Vision "  Identifies current historiographical trends including moving

beyond “ radical” and “polygenesis” interpretations

Historiography

Stayer, James M. Werner Packull, and Klaus Deppermann. "From Monogenesis to Polygenesis: The Historical Discussion of Anabaptist Origins." Mennonite Quarterly Review 59 (1975): 83-121.

"  Suggested that there were multiple origins (“polygenesis”) of

Anabaptism rather than a single, Swiss origin

"  Three implications:

①  Anabaptism proper could not be measured by the Swiss Brethren

②  The definition of “Anabaptist” broadened

③  The tenets and practices of Anabaptism became less easily defined

Mennonite Historical Surveys

Smith, C. Henry. Smith's Story of the Mennonites, rev. and exp. by Cornelius Krahn, 5th ed., Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1981.

"  Considered a classic and monumental achievement

"  Yet, criticized for disregarding issues of theology, philosophy, ethics, piety, and community

Mennonite Historical Surveys

Loewen, Harry and Steven Nolt, Through Fire and Water: An Overview of Mennonite History, 2nd ed. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2010.

"  Most readable and “confessional” of the surveys

"  More for high school students and lay readers

Mennonite Historical Surveys

Dyck, Cornelius. An Introduction to Mennonite History, 3rd ed. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1993.

"  Best middle-ground text

"  Allows for the most insight into the “inner workings” of the Mennonite community

Pre-Anabaptist Origins

Davis, Kenneth R. Anabaptism and Asceticism: A Study in Intellectual Origins. Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History, Vol. 16. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1974.

"  Anabaptism was influenced by German Mysticism, the devotio moderna, and Erasmian Humanism

Pre-Anabaptist Origins

Packull, Werner O. Mysticism and the Early South German-Austrian Anabaptist Movement, 1525-1531. Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History, Vol. 19. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1977.

"  South German-Austrian Anabaptism was influenced by the Theologia Deutsch and German Mysticism

Pre-Anabaptist Origins

Snyder, C. Arnold. "The Monastic Origins of Swiss Anabaptist Sectarianism." Mennonite Quarterly Review 57, no. 1 (January 1983): 5-26.

"  The distinctives of the Swiss Brethren are derived from Benedictinism

Anabaptist Origins

Williams, George H. The Radical Reformation, 3rd ed. Kirksville, MO: Sixteenth Century Publishers, 1992.

"  Broadened the Anabaptist movement to include many leaders who were neglected until then

Anabaptist Origins

Estep, William R. The Anabaptist Story: An Introduction to Sixteenth- Century Anabaptism. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.

"  Very readable overview of Anabaptist origins from a non-Mennonite historian

Anabaptist Origins

Weaver, J. Denny. Becoming Anabaptist: The Origins and Significance of Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism, 2nd ed. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2006.

"  a well-organized and readable text that was the first to account for the polygenesis interpretation

Anabaptist Origins

Snyder, C. Arnold. Anabaptist History and Theology: An Introduction. Kitchener, ON: Pandora Press, 1995.

"  Has the distinct objective of providing a synthesis of the polygenesis origins and a core set of beliefs and practices

Anabaptist People

Goertz, Hans-Jürgen, ed. Profiles of Radical Reformers. Trans. Walter Klaassen. Kitchener, ON: Herald Press, 1982.

"  includes 21 biographical sketches of Radical Reformers

Anabaptist People

Snyder, C. Arnold and Linda Huebert Hecht, eds. Profiles of Anabaptist Women. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1996.

"  includes 25 biographical sketches and highlights contributions of Anabaptist women

Russian Experience

Kroeker, Wally. An Introduction to the Russian Mennonites. The Global Church series. Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2005.

"  Concise (122 pp.) and very readable introduction to Mennonites in Russia and their migration to North and South America

Russian Experience

Urry, James. None but Saints: The Transformation of Mennonite Life in Russia, 1789-1889, 2nd ed. Kitchener, ON: Pandora Press, 2007.

"  Scholarly, well-documented treatment of the Mennonites’ first 100 years in Russia

"  Gives adequate attention to the economic, social, and political infrastructure of the colonies

Mennonites in Canada

Epp, Frank H. (Vols. 1 & 2) and T.D. Regehr (Vol. 3), Mennonites in Canada, 1786-1920, 1920-1940, 1939-1970. 3 Vols. Toronto: Macmillan; U. of Toronto Press, 1974, 1982, 1996.

"  A very comprehensive, well-documented, scholarly three-volume outline of Mennonites in Canada from segregation and self-preservation to acculturation and integration

Russian Experience

Lehn, Cornelia. Frontier Challenge: A Story of the Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia. Clearbrook, BC: Conference of Mennonites in BC, 1990.

"  A readable yet informative outline of the history of Mennonites in British Columbia from settlement until after WWII

Global Mennonitism & Multicuralism

Global Mennonite History series. Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2006-2011.

"  A series that is partly academic and partly lay-educational that outlines the history of Mennonites on every continent

Anabaptist-Mennonite Primary Sources

Classics of the Radical Reformation. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1973– .

"  The most comprehensive series of early Anabaptist writings in English translation

Anabaptist-Mennonite Primary Sources

Wenger, J.C., ed. The Complete Writings of Menno Simons. Leonard Verduin, trans. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1956.

"  A sizable single tome that includes every extant writing of Menno Simons

Anabaptist-Mennonite Thought

Roth, John D. Beliefs: Mennonite Faith and Practice. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2005.

"  A concise and engaging introduction to Mennonite beliefs

"  Focuses on a Mennonite understanding of biblical interpretation, baptism, discipleship, and a visible church

Anabaptist-Mennonite Identity

Kauffman, J. Howard and Leo Driedger. The Mennonite Mosaic: Identity and Modernization. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1991.

"  Outlines conclusions on beliefs, practices, and social attitudes of Mennonites after increased acculturation

"  Weighs factors that have impacted fidelity to original Anabaptist beliefs / practices

Mennonites and Peace

Sampson, Cynthia and John Paul Lederach. From the Ground Up: Mennonite Contributions to International Peacebuilding. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

"  A compilation of essays on recent Mennonite involvement in peacemaking efforts around the world

Mennonites, Economics, & Social Justice

Redekop, Calvin, Victor A. Krahn, and Samuel J. Steiner, eds. Anabaptist/Mennonite Faith and Economics. Institute of Anabaptist and Mennonite Studies. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1994.

"  Excellent comprehensive resource on Mennonites and economics throughout its 500-year history

"  Looks at the economy and various Anabaptist-Mennonite issues based on geography, different eras, and various historical circumstances

Mennonites and Politics

Urry, James. Mennonites, Politics, and Peoplehood: Europe-Russia- Canada 1525 to 1980. Winnipeg, MB: University of Manitoba Press, 2006.

"  A scholarly exploration of Anabaptist-Mennonite involvement in politics and struggle to understand the appropriate apprehension of power

Mennonites and Ecology

Redekop, Calvin W., ed. Creation and the Environment: An Anabaptist Perspective on the Sustainable World. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000.

"  A compilation of essays that explore Anabaptist-Mennonite approaches to environmental care

Mennonites and Literature

Neufeld, Elsie K., ed. Half in the Sun: An Anthology of Mennonite Writing. Vancouver: Ronsdale Press, 2006.

"  An anthology of short writings by Mennonites who currently reside in BC

"  Each author explores themes related to Mennonite life, culture, struggles, and accomplishments

Anabaptist-Mennonite Reference Works

Bender, Harold S. and C. Henry Smith, eds., The Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vols. 1–4. Herald Press, 1955–1959; Dyck, Cornelius J. and Dennis D. Martin, eds., The Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1990.

"  The standard and comprehensive reference work on Anabaptist-Mennonite topics

"  Includes 13,688 articles by 2,700 contributors in the original first four volumes and 1,000 more, plus updates, in the fifth volume

"  All articles and some additions are on www.gameo.org (Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online)

Anabaptist-Mennonite Journals

Mennonite Quarterly Review

"  An interdisciplinary Anabaptist-Mennonite founded in 1927 that is the most scholarly and reputable of the journals

Conrad Grebel Review

"  A journal from Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, ON that is interdisciplinary and more theological in focus

Journal of Mennonite Studies

"  A journal founded in 1983 by the Chair of Mennonite Studies at the University of Winnipeg to address Mennonite topics, mostly dealing with contemporary North American themes

Anabaptist-Mennonite Classics

Braght, Thieleman J. van. Martyrs Mirror: The Story of Seventeen Centuries of Christian Martyrdom From the Time of Christ to A.D. 1660. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1938.

"  A very large tome (originally 1290 pages) of Christian martyrs since the early Church, first published in 1660 by Tieleman van Braght (1625-64)

"  Over half gives accounts of 803 Anabaptist martyrs up to the year 1660

"  Also includes 104 copper etchings by Jan Luyken (1649-1712)