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Anabaptists (Greek ανα (again, twice) +βαπτιζω (baptize), thus "re-baptizers"^[1]) are Christians of the Radical Reformation. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " The virgin birth of Jesus is a religious Tenet of Christianity and Islam which holds that Mary miraculously conceived Jesus while The crucifixion of Jesus is an event recorded in all four Gospels (;;) which takes place after his arrest and trial and includes his scourging Within the body of Christian beliefs the resurrection of Jesus is a core event on which much of Christian doctrine and theology depend Church (disambiguation Christian Church and the word church are used to denote both a Christian association of people and a Place of worship The term New Covenant (; Greek:, diathēkē kainē is used in the Bible (both in the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament) to refer The Twelve Apostles (Greek apostolos, "someone sent out" e This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament The purpose of this timeline is to give a detailed account of Christianity from the beginning of the current era ( AD) to the present Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. Books of the Bible are listed differently in the canons of Jews and Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox Slavonic Orthodox Georgian Armenian Apostolic A Biblical canon or canon of scripture is a list or Set of Biblical books considered to be authoritative as Scripture by a particular religious The biblical apocrypha (from the Greek word ἀπόκρυφος meaning hidden) are books published in an edition of the Bible whose canonicity Christian Theology is discourse concerning Christian faith Christian theologians use biblical Exegesis, rational analysis and argument SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных In many religions the supreme Deity ( God) is given the title and attributions of Father. Christian views of Jesus consist of the teachings and beliefs held by Christian groups about Jesus including his divinity humanity and earthly life In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance This is an overview of the History of Christian Theology from the time of Christ to the present Christian Theology is discourse concerning Christian faith Christian theologians use biblical Exegesis, rational analysis and argument Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections Christian tradition is a collection of Traditions of practice or belief associated with Christianity. Early Christianity is commonly defined as the Christianity of the three centuries between the Crucifixion of Jesus ( c This is a general introduction to ecumenical councils For the Roman Catholic councils, see Catholic Ecumenical Councils. A creed is a statement of Belief — usually Religious belief — or Faith often recited as part of a religious service See also Evangelism, Christianization A Christian mission has been widely defined since the Lausanne Congress of 1974 as that which The East-West Schism, or the Great Schism, divided medieval Christendom into Eastern (Greek and Western (Latin branches which later became known as the The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Denominationalism|List of Christian denominations|Church (disambiguation A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name structure and doctrine within A sermon is an oration by a Prophet or member of the Clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, or religious topic Prayer is an important theme in Christianity, and there are several different forms of prayer Ecumenism (also oecumenism, œcumenism) refers to initiatives aimed at greater Religious unity or cooperation Christianity and other religions appear to share some elements Christian movements are theological, political or philosophical interpretations of Christianity that are not generally represented by a specific church Christian music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life A Liturgy is a set form of ceremony or pattern of worship Christian liturgy is a pattern for worship used (whether recommended or prescribed by a Christian congregation or The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when Christian symbolism is defined as the investing of outward things or actions with an inner meaning the expression of Christian ideas Christian art is Art produced in an attempt to illustrate supplement and portray in tangible form the principles of Christianity. Throughout the History of Christianity, a wide range of Christians and non-Christians alike have offered criticisms of Christianity, the Church, and Christians Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings The Radical Reformation was a 16th century response to what was believed to be both the corruption in the Roman Catholic Church and the expanding Magisterial Various groups at various times have been called Anabaptist, but the term is most commonly used to refer to the Anabaptists of 16th century Europe.

Believer's baptism and its variants (such as both baptisms were valid) was anathema to the religious beliefs of most all other sects and deemed one of the worst sorts of heresy, for if infant baptism was in error, then all those practising other faiths were damned in the black-white world view and mindset of the age, for it was also strongly held that a second baptism was invalid and an offense against God—meaning the two beliefs were irreconcilably different and opposed without common ground. Believer's baptism (occasionally called credobaptism, from the Latin word credo) is the Christian practice of Baptism as this is understood by Heresy is an introduced change to some system of belief especially a religion that conflicts with the previously established canon of that belief As one consequence, the Officials of the Holy Inquisition sought out and persecuted anabaptists with the same vigor that they persecuted jews, witches, in direct contrast to treatment given most other protestants. The term Inquisition can refer to any one of several institutions charged with trying and convicting heretics within the Roman Catholic Church and PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Witchcraft, in various historical anthropological religious and mythological contexts is the use of certain kinds of Supernatural or magical powers Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation.

The word anabaptism is used in this article to describe any of the 16th century "radical" dissenters. Today the descendants of the 16th century European movement (particularly the Amish, Hutterites, Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, Brethren in Christ, and other respective German Baptist variants) are the most common bodies referred to as Anabaptist. The Amish (ˈɑːmɪʃ are members of an Anabaptist Christian denomination best known for Simple living, Plain dress and resisting modern conveniences Hutterites are a communal branch of Anabaptists who like the Amish and Mennonites, trace their roots to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination originating from the Schwarzenau Brethren ("Schwarzenauer Neutäufer" organized in 1708 by eight The Brethren in Christ Church (often abbreviated BIC is an Anabaptist Christian denomination with roots in the Mennonite church Pietism, and The German Baptists have roots in Anabaptist theology and practice generally speaking

Contents 1 Origins 1.1 Forerunners 1.2 Views 1.2.1 Monogenesis 1.2.2 Polygenesis 1.2.3 Apostolic succession 2 Types 3 Zwickau prophets and the Peasants' War 4 Münster Rebellion 5 Persecutions and migrations 6 Today 6.1 Anabaptism and the 21st century 7 Heritage 8 Popular culture 9 See also 10 Footnotes and references 11 Bibliography 12 External links

Origins

Forerunners

Though the majority opinion is that Anabaptists began with the Radical Reformers in the 16th century, certain people and groups may still legitimately be considered their forerunners. Peter Chelcicky, 15th century Bohemian Reformer, taught most of the beliefs considered integral to Anabaptist theology. Petr Chelčický ('petr 'xeltšitski (c 1390 &ndash c 1460 was a Christian and political leader and author in 15th century Bohemia (now the Czech Republic Bohemia (Čechy; Bohemia Czechy is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands, currently the Medieval antecedents may include the Brethren of the Common Life, the Hussites, Dutch Sacramentists^[2][3] and some forms of monasticism. The Hussites were a Christian movement following the teachings of Czech reformer Jan Hus or John Huss (c The Waldensians also represent a faith similar to the Anabaptists. General description The earliest Waldensians believed in poverty and austerity promoting true poverty public preaching and the personal study of the scriptures

In the following points Anabaptists resembled the medieval dissenters:

1. Some followed Menno Simons in teaching that Jesus did not take the flesh from his mother, but either brought his body from heaven or had one made for him by the Word. Menno Simons (1496 – January 25[[ 561]] was an Anabaptist religious leader from Friesland (today a province of The Netherlands) Some even said that he passed through his mother, as water through a pipe, into the world. In pictures and sculptures of the 15th century and earlier, we often find represented this idea, originated by Marcion in the 2nd century. Marcion (Μαρκίων (ca 110 - 160) was a Christian Theologian who was excommunicated by the Early Christian church The Anabaptists were accused of denying the Incarnation of Christ: a charge that Menno Simons repeatedly rejected. The Incarnation is the belief in Christianity that Jesus Christ is the God of Israel in the flesh
2. They condemned oaths, and also the reference of disputes between believers to law-courts.
3. The believer must not bear arms or offer forcible resistance to wrongdoers, nor wield the sword. No Christian has the jus gladii. In Latin jus (ius gladii literally means "the right of the sword" referring to the legal authority of an individual or group to execute someone for a capital offense
4. Civil government (i. e. "Caesar") belongs to the world. Caesar (plural Caesars Latin: Caesar (plural Caesares is a Title of imperial character The believer, who belongs to God's kingdom, must not fill any office, nor hold any rank under government, which is to be passively obeyed.
5. Sinners or unfaithful ones are to be excommunicated, and excluded from the sacraments and from intercourse with believers unless they repent, according to 1 Corinthians 6:1–11 and Matt. 18:15 seq. But no force is to be used towards them.

They may have preserved among themselves the primitive manual of conduct called the Didache, for Bishop Longland in England condemned an Anabaptist for repeating one of its maxims "that alms should not be given before they did sweat in a man's hand. The Didache ( Koine Greek:, Didachē, meaning "Teaching" ˈdɪdəkiː in English ðiðaˈxi in Modern Greek) is the common name of a brief John Longland (died 1547 was the English Bishop of Lincoln from 1521 to his death in 1547 England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland " This was between 1518 and 1521.

Views

Research on the origins of the Anabaptists has been tainted both by the attempts of their enemies to slander them and the attempts of their friends to vindicate them. It was long popular to simply lump all Anabaptists as Munsterites and radicals associated with the Zwickau Prophets, Jan Matthys, John of Leiden (also Jan Bockelson van Leiden, Jan of Leyden), and Thomas Muentzer. The Zwickau Prophets were early sixteenth century Anabaptists in Zwickau in Saxony. Jan Matthys (also known as Jan Matthias, Johann Mathyszoon, et al John of Leiden ( Dutch: Jan van Leiden, Jan Beukelsz or Jan Beukelszoon; aka John Bockold or John Bockelson Thomas Müntzer (ca 1488 – 27 May 1525 was an early Reformation-era German theologian and Anabaptist Those desiring to correct this error tended to over-correct and deny all connections between the larger Anabaptist movement and this most radical element.

The modern era of Anabaptist historiography arose with the work of Roman Catholic scholar Carl Adolf Cornelius' publication of Die Geschichte des Münsterischen Aufruhrs in 1855 (The history of the Münster riot). Baptist historian Albert Henry Newman (1852–1933), who Bender said occupied "first position in the field of American Anabaptist Historiography," made a major contribution with his A History of Anti-Pedobaptism. Though a number of theories exist concerning origins, the three main ideas are that,

1. Anabaptists began in a single expression in Zürich and spread from there (Monogenesis),
2. Anabaptists began through several independent movements (polygenesis), and
3. Anabaptists are a continuation of New Testament Christianity (apostolic succession or church perpetuity). Zürich (, Zürich German: Züri, Zurich, Zurigo; in English generally Zurich) is the largest city in Switzerland and capital of the Polygenism is a theory of human origins positing that the human races are of different lineages either from a scientific or a religious basis

Monogenesis

Protestantism

The Reformation History Pre-Reformation Movements Waldensians  · Lollards  · Hussites Reformation churches Anglicanism · Anabaptism · Calvinism · Lutheranism · Zwinglianism Post-Reformation movements Baptists · Congregationalists · Pietism · Pentecostalism · Puritanism Great Awakenings Revivalism · Methodism · Evangelicalism Disciples of Christ Restorationism Adventism · Restoration Movement This box: view • talk • edit

A number of scholars (e. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time The History of Protestantism begins with the Reformation movement which began as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church and led to the fracturing of Christendom General description The earliest Waldensians believed in poverty and austerity promoting true poverty public preaching and the personal study of the scriptures Lollardy was the political and religious movement of the Lollards from the mid- 14th century to the English Reformation. The Hussites were a Christian movement following the teachings of Czech reformer Jan Hus or John Huss (c Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Calvinism (sometimes called the Reformed tradition, the Reformed faith, or Reformed theology) is a theological system and an approach to the Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther The study of the theology of Huldrych Zwingli since the 1990s has been facilitated by a modern critical edition of his works Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently Pietism was a movement within Lutheranism, lasting from the late 17th century to the mid-18th century and later Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the Baptism A Puritan of 16th and 17th century England was an associate of any number of religious groups advocating for more "purity" of Worship and Doctrine, The Great Awakenings refer to several periods of rapid and dramatic Religious revival in Anglo-American religious history generally recognized as beginning in the 1730s Revival in a Christian context generally refers to a specific period of spiritual renewal in the life of the Church Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations Evangelicalism is a theological movement tradition and system of beliefs most closely associated with Protestant Christianity, which identifies with the Gospel The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America For other usages see Restoration (general disambiguation Apokatastasis (universal restoration Christian Zionism (restoration of Israel and The term Adventist generally refers to someone who believes in the Second Advent of Jesus (popularly known as the Second coming) in the tradition of the Millerites This article is about the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement and churches that have a historical and/or theological connection to it (e g. Bender, Estep, Friedmann) have seen all the Anabaptists as rising out of the Swiss Brethren movement of Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, George Blaurock, et al. Swiss Brethren were Anabaptists a group of radical evangelical reformers who initially followed Ulrich Zwingli of Zürich. Conrad Grebel (c 1498 – 1526 son of a prominent Swiss merchant and councilman was a co-founder of the Swiss Brethren movement and is often called the "Father Felix Manz (c 1498 &ndash January 5 1527) was a co-founder of the original Swiss Brethren Anabaptist congregation in Zürich Jörg vom Haus Jacob (Georg Cajacob or George of the House of Jacob commonly known as George Blaurock (c The older view among Mennonite historians generally held that Anabaptism had its origins in Zürich, and that the Anabaptism of the Swiss Brethren was transmitted to South Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and North Germany, where it developed into its various branches. Zürich (, Zürich German: Züri, Zurich, Zurigo; in English generally Zurich) is the largest city in Switzerland and capital of the The monogenesis theory usually rejects the Münsterites and other radicals from the category of true Anabaptists. In this view the time of origin is January 21, 1525, when Grebel baptized Georg Blaurock, and Blaurock baptized other followers. Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. This remains the most popular single time posited for the establishment of Anabaptism. But in the last quarter of the 20th century, Deppermann, Packull, and others suggested that February 24, 1527 at Schleitheim is the proper date of the origin of Anabaptism. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the This correlates with the following polygenesis theory.

Polygenesis

James M. Stayer, Werner O. James M Stayer (born 1935) is a historian specializing in the German Reformation, particularly the Anabaptist movement Packull, and Klaus Deppermann disputed the idea of a single origin of Anabaptists in a 1975 essay entitled "From Monogenesis to Polygenesis". That article, emphasizing distinctive characteristics and distinct sources, has become a widely accepted treatment of the plural origins of Anabaptism. According to these authors, South German-Austrian Anabaptism "was a diluted form of Rhineland mysticism," Swiss Anabaptism "arose out of Reformed congregationalism", and Dutch Anabaptism was formed by "Social unrest and the apocalyptic visions of Melchior Hoffman". German mysticism, sometimes called Dominican mysticism or Rhineland mysticism, was a late medieval Christian mystical movement that was especially Congregationalist polity, often known as congregationalism is a system of Church governance in which every Local church congregation is independent Melchior Hoffman or Hofmann (c 1495 &ndash 1543 was an Anabaptist prophet and a visionary leader in northern Germany and the Netherlands Pilgram Marpeck's Vermanung of 1542 was deeply influenced by the Bekenntnisse of 1533 by Münster theologian Bernhard Rothmann. Pilgram Marpeck (died 1556 was an important South German Anabaptist leader in the 16th century Bernhard Rothmann, or Bernard Rothmann, (c 1495 &ndash c 1535 was a 16th century Reformer and an Anabaptist leader in the city of Münster (modern The Hutterites used Melchior Hoffman's commentary on the Apocalypse shortly after he wrote it. David Joris, a disciple of Hoffman, was the most important Anabaptist leader in the Netherlands before 1540. David Joris (c 1501 &ndash 1556 sometimes Jan Jorisz or Joriszoon was an important Anabaptist leader in the Netherlands before 1540 Grete Mecenseffy and Walter Klaassen established links between Thomas Müntzer and Hans Hut, and the work of Gottfried Seebaß and Werner Packull clearly showed the influence of Thomas Müntzer on the formation of South German Anabaptism. Steven Ozment's work linked Hans Denck and Hans Hut with Thomas Müntzer, Sebastian Franck, and others. Hans Denck (c 1495 – November 1527 was a German Theologian and Anabaptist leader during the Reformation. Hans Hut (c 1490– 1527-12-06) was a very active Anabaptist in Southern Germany and Austria. Sebastian Franck ( January 20 1499 – c 1543 was a 16th century German freethinker humanist, and radical reformer Calvin Pater has shown that Andreas Karlstadt influenced Swiss Anabaptism in areas including his view of Scripture, doctrine of the church, and views on baptism. Andreas Rudolph Bodenstein von Karlstadt (1486 &ndash December 24 1541) better known as Andreas Karlstadt or Andreas Carlstadt, was a

Apostolic succession

Another theory is that the 16th century Anabaptists were part of an apostolic succession of churches (or church perpetuity) from the time of Christ.

The opponents of this theory emphasize that these non-Catholic groups clearly differed from each other, that they held some heretical views, are not successors of the Apostles, or that they had no connection with one another with origins that are separate both in time and place. This view is held by some Baptists, some Mennonites, and a number of "true church" movements. ^[5] The writings of John T. Christian, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary professor, contain perhaps the best scholarly presentation of this successionist view. John Tyler Christian (1854–1925 was a Baptist preacher author and educator The Somewhat related to this is the theory that the Anabaptists are of Waldensian origin. Some hold the idea that the Waldenses are part of the apostolic succession, while others simply believe they were an independent group out of whom the Anabaptists arose. Estep asserts "the Waldenses disappeared in Switzerland a century before the rise of the Anabaptist movement. " Ludwig Keller, Thomas M. Lindsay, H. C. Vedder, Delbert Grätz, and Thieleman J. van Braght all held, in varying degrees, the position that the Anabaptists were of Waldensian origin. Thieleman J van Braght ( 29 January 1625, Dordrecht - 7 October 1664) was the Anabaptist author of the Martyrs

Types

Main article: Theology of Anabaptism

Different types exist among the Anabaptists, although the categorizations tend to vary with the scholar's viewpoint on origins. Anabaptists ("re-baptizers" from Greek ανα and βαπτιζω) are Christians of the Radical Reformation. Estep claims that in order to understand Anabaptism, one must "distinguish between the Anabaptists, inspirationists, and rationalists. " He classes the likes of Blaurock, Grebel, Balthasar Hubmaier, Manz, Marpeck, and Simons as Anabaptists. Balthasar Hubmaier (c 1480 – March 10 1528) was an influential German/Moravian Anabaptist leader He groups Müntzer, Storch, et al. as inspirationists, and anti-trinitarians such as Michael Servetus, Juan de Valdés, Sebastian Castellio, and Faustus Socinus as rationalists. Michael Servetus (also Miguel Servet or Miguel Serveto; 29 September, 1511 &ndash 27 October, 1553) was a Spanish Juan de Valdés (c 1509-1541 was Spanish religious writer younger of twin sons of Fernando de Valdés hereditary regidor of Cuenca in Castile Sebastian Castellio (also spelled Châtaillon Castellión and Castello ( 1515 – December 29, 1563) was a French preacher and theologian and Fausto Paolo Sozzini, also known as Faustus Socinus or Faust Socyn (Polish ( December 5, 1539 in Siena &ndash March 4 In Epistemology and in its broadest sense rationalism is "any view appealing to Reason as a source of knowledge or justification" (Lacey 286 Mark S. Ritchie follows this line of thought, saying, "The Anabaptists were one of several branches of 'Radical' reformers (i. e. reformers that went further than the mainstream Reformers) to arise out of the Renaissance and Reformation. Two other branches were Spirituals or Inspirationists, who believed that they had received direct revelation from the Spirit, and rationalists or anti-Trinitarians, who rebelled against traditional Christian doctrine, like Michael Servetus. " Most of the Anti-Trinitarian Anabaptists were modalistic monarchians and baptized in the shorter formula of the name of Jesus Christ. They also spoke in ecstatic languages and prophecies known as "speaking in tongues. " Holiness was a very important doctrine to them.

Those of the polygenesis viewpoint use Anabaptist to define the larger movement, and include the inspirationists and rationalists as true Anabaptists. James M. Stayer used the term Anabaptist for those who rebaptized persons already baptized in infancy. Walter Klaassen was perhaps the first Mennonite scholar to define Anabaptists that way in his 1960 Oxford dissertation. This represents a rejection of the previous standard held by Mennonite scholars such as Bender and Friedmann.

Another method of categorization acknowledges regional variations, such as Swiss Brethren (Grebel, Manz), Dutch and Frisian Anabaptism (Menno Simons, Dirk Philips), and South German Anabaptism (Hübmaier, Marpeck). Frisia ( West Frisian: Fryslân; North Frisian: Fraschlönj, Freesklöön, Freeskluin, Fresklun, and Dirk Philips (1504-1568 was an early Anabaptist writer and theologian.

Historians and sociologists have made further distinctions between radical Anabaptists, who were prepared to use violence in their attempts to build a New Jerusalem, and their pacifist brethren, later broadly known as Mennonites. In The Bible, the New Jerusalem (also called the tabernacle of God, holy city, city of God, celestial city, and heavenly Jerusalem The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively Radical Anabaptist groups included the Münsterites, who occupied and held the German city of Münster in 1534–5, and the Batenburgers, who persisted in various guises as late as the 1570s. Münster ( is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Batenburgers. A radical Anabaptist sect led by Jan van Batenburg which flourished briefly in the 1530s in the aftermath of the Münster Rebellion.

Zwickau prophets and the Peasants' War

Main articles: Thomas Müntzer, Zwickau prophets, and Peasants' War

On December 27, 1521, three "prophets", influenced by and in turn influencing Thomas Müntzer, appeared in Wittenberg from Zwickau: Thomas Dreschel, Nicolas Storch and Mark Thomas Stübner. Thomas Müntzer (ca 1488 – 27 May 1525 was an early Reformation-era German theologian and Anabaptist The Zwickau Prophets were early sixteenth century Anabaptists in Zwickau in Saxony. For other conflicts referred to as peasant wars or revolts see Peasant revolt (disambiguation. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the The Zwickau Prophets were early sixteenth century Anabaptists in Zwickau in Saxony. Thomas Müntzer (ca 1488 – 27 May 1525 was an early Reformation-era German theologian and Anabaptist Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a Town in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the Elbe Zwickau (ˈtsvɪkaʊ̯ Cvikov is a city in Germany, in the Bundesland Sachsen (Saxony situated in a valley at the foot of the Erzgebirge The crisis came in the Peasants' War in South Germany in 1525. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. In its origin a revolt against feudal oppression, it became, under the leadership of Müntzer, a war against all constituted authorities, and an attempt to establish by revolution an ideal Christian commonwealth, with absolute equality and the community of goods.

Münster Rebellion

Main articles: Münster Rebellion and Münster

A second and more determined attempt to establish a theocracy was made at Münster in Westphalia (1532–5), led by Bernhard Rothmann, Bernhard Knipperdolling, Jan Matthys and John of Leiden. The Münster Rebellion was an attempt by radical Anabaptists to establish a Theocracy in the German city of Münster. Münster ( is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia (Westfalen) is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Bielefeld, Bochum, Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Münster Bernhard Rothmann, or Bernard Rothmann, (c 1495 &ndash c 1535 was a 16th century Reformer and an Anabaptist leader in the city of Münster (modern Bernhard Knipperdolling (c 1495 &ndash January 22, 1536) was a German leader of the Münster Anabaptists He was also known as Bernd or Berndt Knipperdollinck Jan Matthys (also known as Jan Matthias, Johann Mathyszoon, et al John of Leiden ( Dutch: Jan van Leiden, Jan Beukelsz or Jan Beukelszoon; aka John Bockold or John Bockelson

Persecutions and migrations

Much of the historic Roman Catholic and Protestant literature has represented the Anabaptists as groups who preached false doctrine and led people into apostasy. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. That negative historiography remained popular for about four centuries. The Roman Catholics and Protestants alike persecuted the Anabaptists, resorted to torture and other types of physical abuse, in attempts both to curb the growth of the movement and bring about the salvation of the heretics (through recantation). The Protestants under Zwingli were the first to persecute the Anabaptists. Huldrych (or Ulrich) Zwingli (1 January 1484 &ndash 11 October 1531 was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Felix Manz became the first martyr in 1527.

On May 20, 1527, Roman Catholic authorities executed Michael Sattler. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Michael Sattler (1490-1527 was a monk who left the Roman Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation to become one of the early leaders of the Anabaptist King Ferdinand declared drowning (called the third baptism) "the best antidote to Anabaptism". It has been said that a "16th century man who did not drink to excess, curse, or abuse his workmen or family could be suspected of being an Anabaptist and thus persecuted. "^[6] Thousands died in Europe in the sixteenth century. ^[7] The Tudor regime, even those that were Protestant (Edward VI and Elizabeth I) persecuted Anabaptists as they were deemed too radical and therefore a danger to religious stability. Edward VI (12 October 1537 &ndash 6 July 1553 became King of England and Ireland on 28 January 1547 and was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine The persecution of Anabaptists was condoned by ancient laws of Theodosius and Justinian that were passed against the Donatists which decreed the death penalty for any who practiced rebaptism. Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus ( Greek: Φλάβιος Πέτρος Σαββάτιος Ιουστινιανός; known in English as Justinian I or The Donatists (named for the Berber Christian Donatus Magnus) were followers of a belief considered a Schism by the broader churches of the

Thieleman J. van Braght's Martyrs Mirror describes the persecution and execution of thousands of Anabaptists, such as Dirk Willems, in Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe between 1525 and 1660. The Martyrs Mirror or The Bloody Theater, first published in 1660 in Dutch by Thieleman J Dirk Willems (?? &ndash May 16 1569) was a martyred Anabaptist who is most famous for after his escape from prison turning around to rescue Continuing persecution in Europe was largely responsible for the mass immigrations to North America by Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites.

Today

Several existing denominational bodies may be legitimately regarded as the successors of the Continental Anabaptists—Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, Mennonites, and Bruderhof Communities. The Amish (ˈɑːmɪʃ are members of an Anabaptist Christian denomination best known for Simple living, Plain dress and resisting modern conveniences The Brethren are a number of Protestant Christian religious bodies using the word "brethren" in their names Hutterites are a communal branch of Anabaptists who like the Amish and Mennonites, trace their roots to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively The Bruderhof Communities (place of brothers are Christian religious communities with branches in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania in the Some writers prefer to distinguish institutionally lineal descendants (Amish, Hutterites, Mennonites) from the spiritual descendants (Brethren, Church of the Brethren, the Bruderhof Communities, Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists and the many parts of the Emerging Church in the UK, Australia and parts of the US). The Amish (ˈɑːmɪʃ are members of an Anabaptist Christian denomination best known for Simple living, Plain dress and resisting modern conveniences Hutterites are a communal branch of Anabaptists who like the Amish and Mennonites, trace their roots to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively The Brethren are a number of Protestant Christian religious bodies using the word "brethren" in their names The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination originating from the Schwarzenau Brethren ("Schwarzenauer Neutäufer" organized in 1708 by eight The Bruderhof Communities (place of brothers are Christian religious communities with branches in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania in the The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated " Adventist " Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished mainly by its observance Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. The emerging church (sometimes referred to as the emergent church movement) is a Christian movement whose participants seek to live their faith in modern society by Nevertheless, some historical connections have been demonstrated for all of these spiritual descendants, though perhaps not as clearly as the noted institutionally lineal descendants. Although many see the more well-known Anabaptist groups (Amish, Hutterites and Mennonites) as ethnic groups, the Anabaptist bodies of today are no longer comprised mostly of descendants of the Continental Anabaptists. The Amish (ˈɑːmɪʃ are members of an Anabaptist Christian denomination best known for Simple living, Plain dress and resisting modern conveniences Hutterites are a communal branch of Anabaptists who like the Amish and Mennonites, trace their roots to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496&ndash1561 though his teachings were a relatively Total worldwide membership of the Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and related churches totals 1,297,716 (as of 2003) with about 60 percent in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Brethren in Christ Church (often abbreviated BIC is an Anabaptist Christian denomination with roots in the Mennonite church Pietism, and ^[8]

In addition, it may be argued that one of the historical Anabaptist doctrines, specifically that one must volitionally, consciously, and personally relate to God, is a likewise found among much of Evangelical Protestantism, even though these churches may not be historically linked to the Anabaptists.

Anabaptism and the 21st century

In response to post-modernism, what some theologians are calling 'the end of Christendom', and the global ecological crisis, some churches and theologians draw upon Anabaptist traditions as a paradigm for Christian spirituality in the 21st century. Postmodernism literally means 'after the modernist movement' While " Modern " itself refers to something "related to the present" the movement of modernism This movement, sometimes referred to as 'neo-Anabaptism', includes theologians and communities who are from Christian denominations not part of the historic Peace Churches but who see in the 16th century radical reformers an authentic witness of early Christianity and of the life and teachings of Christ. Peace churches are Christian churches groups or communities advocating Christian pacifism. Some such thinkers include Stanley Hauerwas, Nancey Murphy, Glen Stassen, Lee Camp, Marva J. Stanley Hauerwas (b July 24, 1940) is a United Methodist Theologian, Ethicist, and professor of Law. Nancey Murphy is a Christian Theologian and Philosopher known for her works on theology and science Glen Harold Stassen is a noted United States Ethicist, professor and Baptist Theologian. Dawn, Richard B. Hays, Craig A. Richard B Hays is the George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School in Durham North Carolina. Carter, James McClendon, and Michael Cartwright.

Sojourners Magazine editor Jim Wallis has said that Mennonite Theologian John H. Yoder "inspired a whole generation of Christians to follow the way of Jesus into social action and peacemaking. Sojourners Magazine, a monthly publication of the Christian social justice organization Sojourners was first published in 1971 under the original title of The Post-American. The Reverend Jim Wallis (b June 4 1948, Detroit Michigan) is an evangelical Christian writer and political activist best known as the founder John Howard Yoder ( December 29 1927 – December 30, 1997) was a Christian theologian ethicist and Biblical scholar " The neo-Anabaptist communities and theologians are also a direct result of this legacy. Neo-Anabaptist communities are often identifiable by their desire to live as a prophetic alternative to larger society through their commitment to Christ’s Sermon on the Mount as normative for the Christian life when empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel of St Matthew, the Sermon on the Mount is a compilation of Jesus' sayings epitomizing his moral teaching. In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance Outworkings of this spirituality include simple yet joyful lifestyle, peace and justice making, the practice of nonviolence, communal living and the voluntary sharing of goods, particularly with those in need all as an outworking of seeking the kingdom of God. Nonviolence is a philosophy and strategy for social change that rejects the use of physical Violence.

Heritage

• Freedom of religion
• Priesthood of all believers
• Bible as the sole rule of faith and practice
• Pacifism

The Anabaptists were early promoters of a free church and freedom of religion (sometimes associated with separation of church and state). Freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community in public or private to manifest religion or belief in teaching practice worship and observance The universal priesthood or the priesthood of all believers, as it would come to be known in the present day is a Christian doctrine believed to be derived from several Separation of church and state is a Political and Legal Doctrine that Government and religious institutions are to be kept separate ^[9] When it was introduced by the Anabaptists in the 15th and 16th centuries, religious freedom independent of the state was unthinkable to both clerical and governmental leaders. Religious liberty was equated with anarchy; Kropotkin^[10] traces the birth of anarchist thought in Europe to these early Anabaptist communities.

According to Estep,^[11]

Where men believe in the freedom of religion, supported by a guarantee of separation of church and state, they have entered into that heritage. Where men have caught the Anabaptist vision of discipleship, they have become worthy of that heritage. Where corporate discipleship submits itself to the New Testament pattern of the church, the heir has then entered full possession of his legacy.

Popular culture

In Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22, the character of Chaplain Tappman identifies himself as an Anabaptist. Joseph Heller (May 1 1923 – December 12 1999 was an American Satirical novelist Short story writer and playwright Catch-22 is a satirical, historical Novel by the American author Joseph Heller, first published in 1961  Chaplain Captain Albert Taylor Tappman (AT Tappman (usually simply referred to as " The Chaplain " is a fictional character in Joseph He states that for this reason, it is not necessary to call him "Father".

Voltaire's novel, Candide, features a character named James, who identifies himself as an Anabaptist and helps the eponymous protagonist and his teacher Pangloss but later drowns in Lisbon harbor. François-Marie Arouet ( 21 November 1694 30 May 1778) better known by the Pen name Voltaire, was a French --> Candide ou l'Optimisme (1759 is a French Satire by the Enlightenment Philosopher Voltaire, English translations of which Lisbon (Lisboa liʒˈboɐ is the Capital and largest city of Portugal.

See also

• Abecedarians
• Ambrosians
• Amish
• Apostolic Christian Church
• Brethren in Christ
• Christian anarchism
• Christian Peacemaker Teams
• Mennonite
• Mennonite Central Committee
• Peace churches
• Protestant Reformation
• Radical Reformation
• Schleitheim Confession
• Shunning
• Simple living
• The Upside-Down Kingdom

Footnotes and references

Bibliography

• A History of Anti-Pedobaptism, From the Rise of Pedobaptism to A. D. 1609, by Albert H. Newman, (Google Books, ISBN 1579785360)
• Anabaptist Bibliography 1520-1630, by Hans Hillerbrand, (Google Books, ISBN 0910345031)
• Anabaptists and the Sword, by James M. Stayer, (Google Books, ISBN 0872910814)
• An Introduction to Mennonite History, by Cornelius J. James M Stayer (born 1935) is a historian specializing in the German Reformation, particularly the Anabaptist movement Dyck, (Google Books, ISBN 0836136209)
• Covenant and Community: The Life, Writings, and Hermeneutics of Pilgram Marpeck, by William Klassen, (Google Books)
• Hutterite Beginnings: Communitarian Experiments During the Reformation, by Werner O. Packull, (Google Books, ISBN 0801850487)
• In Editha's Days. A Tale of Religious Liberty, by Mary E. Bamford LCCN 06006296 (republished as The Bible Makes Us Baptists, Larry Harrison, ed. Mary Ellen Bamford ( 10 December 1857 - 21 May 1946) was an American author from Healdsburg California. ), (Google Books)
• Mennonite Encyclopedia, Harold S. Bender, Cornelius J. Dyck, Dennis D. Martin, Henry C. Smith, et al. , editors, (Google Books, ISBN 0836110188)
• Revelation & Revolution: Basic Writings of Thomas Muntzer, by Michael G. Baylor, (Google Books, ISBN 0934223165)
• The Anabaptist Story, by William R. Estep, (Google Books, ISBN 0802815944)
• The Anabaptist Vision, by Harold S. Bender, (Google Books, ISBN 0836113055)
• The Bloody Theater or Martyrs Mirror, by Thieleman J. van Braght, (Google Books, ISBN 083611390X)
• The Encyclopedia of American Religions, by J. Gordon Melton, (Google Books, ISBN 0810369044)
• The German Peasants' War & Anabaptist Community of Goods, by James M. Stayer, (Google Books, ISBN 0773508422)
• The Pursuit of the Millennium, by Norman Cohn, (Google Books, ISBN 0195004566)
• The Reformers and their Stepchildren, by Leonard Verduin, (Google Books, ISBN 0801092841)
• The Anatomy of a Hybrid : a Study in Church-State Relationships by Leonard Verduin, (Google Books, ISBN 0802816150)
• The Tailor King: The Rise and Fall of the Anabaptist Kingdom of Munster, by Anthony Arthur, (Google Books, ISBN 0312205155)
• The Radical Reformation, by George Hunston Williams, Third Edition. John Gordon Melton (b September 19, 1942) is an American religious scholar who was the founding director of the Institute for the Study of American James M Stayer (born 1935) is a historian specializing in the German Reformation, particularly the Anabaptist movement Sixteen Century Journal Publishers, 1992.

External links

• Anabaptism. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved on December 15, 2005.
• Mennonite Origins and the Mennonites of Europe. Bible Views. Retrieved on December 15, 2005.
• The Story of the Church: The Protestant Reformation: The Anabaptists and Other Radical Reformers. Ritchie Family Page. Retrieved on December 15, 2005.
• The Anabaptist Story. The Reformed Reader. Retrieved on December 15, 2005.
• "Der wedderdoeper eidt" / Oath of the Anabaptists of Münster
• The Rise and Fall of the Anabapists, by E. Belfort Bax 1903

Ernest Belfort Bax ( July 23, 1854 - November 26 1926) was a British socialist journalist and philosopher associated with

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