Entering a field of ongoing controversy, this book dares to offer a new model or vision — defenseless Christianity — for understanding Anabaptism, both present and past. An Anabaptism defined as defenseless Christianity should be seen as a nonviolent Christian movement with a world-reconciling theology despite the fact that some first-generation Anabaptists were not pacifists. In answer to recent challenges, the authors contend that Anabaptism as it developed and survived is properly understood as a nonviolent movement. At the same time, the authors acknowledge that there were multiple forms of Anabaptism in the sixteenth-century, requiring ongoing discussion within the movement about the meaning and purpose of the church. Since a prime characteristic of Anabaptism is the call to shape Christian practices within the story and life of Jesus Christ, the authors describe Anabaptism in a way to speaks to every Christian, whether or not they belong to one of the historic peace churches. The authors believe that the defenseless Christianity of historic Anabaptism has much to offer contemporary peace churches as well as the Christian church as a whole.
ISBN: 9781931038638 (2009) 136pp