Common Core

The Anabaptists, did have a common core of beliefs. There was much division with the descendants of Melchior Hoffman, but even in those divisions I believe that we can truly see some similarities, as well as with the Swiss, Dutch, and South German Anabaptists. It seems that wherever the Anabaptist lived whether it took on some local religious beliefs and practice. If a person lived in Reformed territory, they might seemed a little more reformed in typology they same is true for those residing in Lutheran territory. For example, Menno Simons furtherance of Luther's "kingdom theology" shows that Menno either believed the theology at one point or sought to critique in another. In any case, it was due to his close proximity to Lutheranism that he delved into what it mean to live in the Kingdom of God. In some ways Anabaptists were the spiritual critics of the their time.

The critiques of Anabaptism is the core of the movement. Without there being that moxy and freedom to evaluate the socio-political as well as religious movements that were beginning to take root in Norther Europe. Through there critical analysis and their new found relationship through the bible, thanks towards the printing press and the vernacular bibles that were being made more readily available. The anabaptists were able to discern what they thought was right.

Central to their orthodoxy, was the three-fold baptism, the Lord's Supper as a memorial meal,the creed as confession, anti-clericalism, and a common purse for the poor- which coincided with the Priesthood of all believers which was taken a further step that Luther's. They also believe in faith and work citing James 2:12, "Faith without works is dead." It is interesting that the book of James was the one of the books that Luther thought should be done away with. These were the things that Anabaptists recognized in each other when they came together.

Outside of the Anabaptist core there was a cacophony of different beliefs especially in regards whether to be sword bearers or staff bearers. These dissensions might be seen in the city of Strasbourg, population 20,000+. In Strasbourg there was a meeting on every corner. One wonders if this is due to theology as much of the Midwest can be depicted as, or whether it was more a case of running out of space. I believe it must have truly been both. People move to where they feel as the spirit is moving them, its interesting to see how the spirit moved in so many ways with such a small movement. How is the Reformation and the 16th century Anabaptist relationships a microcosm of what is at work today in Christianity. Is there a cry for unity, or are we still able to asses what is at the core of our beliefs and see the work of Christ across the aisles?