Beschrijving

This book will help readers reflect on what it means to be Mennonite in the modern world. It contains thirty autobiographical essays by men and women from Canada, the United States, and Europe who consider themselves to be Mennonite. Whether theologians, historians, writers, businesspersons, farmers, professors, or politicians – all were given complete freedom to write as they see fit. Nearly all claim that one or more of the historic principles of peace, love, justice, tolerance, community building, and peoplehood either attracted them to the Mennonite faith or induced them to remain with the Mennonite people. For some the accidents of birth and family background are important Mennonite distinguishing marks. For others being Mennonite means identifying with the faith and life of the early Anabaptists and joining a church that goes under the name Mennonite. For still others being Mennonite means applying the gospel, as understood by Mennonites, to new situations which are entirely different from those of the distant past. Finally, there are persons on the fringes who identify with at least some aspects of Mennonite peoplehood. It is not difficult to recognize faith Mennonites among the authors. But when others speak of Mennonites in nonreligious terms, some readers may find it difficult to accept them as Mennonites at all. The final essay by John H. Yoder reminds Mennonites who are tempted to feel at home in today’s society and systems that the mission of the Anabaptist-Mennonite church is to proclaim and practice liberation from the many shackles of the world.