The issue of Politics and the Anabaptist thought process, is counter cultural to say the least- with the exception of Marpeck. The Anabaptists were unclear in the beginning of what role they were to play in Government. For the Swiss Bretheren they believed in swearing no oaths, and hold no offices.
They also believed one must be baptized as an adult. This was problematic because the infrastructure of the local government did not allow for a believer's church. The problems that arose from the believer's church is that the local church supported the government and vice verse. In an idyllic situation it was to be a symbiotic relationship. The saying in reference to the Anbaptist believers church was "two's company three's a crowd."
The Anabaptist would not swear oaths to the state. This led to many problems especially when the invasion of the Turks and the warfare that was happening between the Evangelicals and the Catholics. It was seen as a loyalty issue by the government. It was indeed a loyalty issue. The Anabaptist saw their world in two kingdoms. They must be loyal to the kingdom of Heaven, because all else would pass away. This loyalty was seen as anarchist in intent. The question of peace or a sword was at the fore with how to be a member of the kingdom of God. For the Swiss Brethren they believed that Christ never wielded a sword, and submitted to the state even until death and so should they. For the Muntzerites they believed in a more apocalyptic view of scripture, that they took up the sword to usher in the end age.
I myself see both sides to the coin. I understand about being loyal to the government and the kingdom of heaven. I am not so certain that you can't do both. Unfortunately, the government does not allow for conscience when it comes to morals. Even in the U.S. you have to register as a conscience objector, but you can't choose whether you serve or not based on the merits of just war if you fall out of the historic- peace churches.
No comments:
Post a Comment