Anabaptist Essentials: Ten Signs of a Unique Christian Faith

by Palmer Becker

Overview

What is the essence of Anabaptism?

Jesus. Community. Reconciliation. These sum up the core values of Anabaptist faith and life, writes pastor Palmer Becker in this concise new resource. In Anabaptist Essentials, Becker introduces readers to the key convictions and practices of Anabaptism, the Christian tradition of the Amish, Mennonites, and Brethren in Christ. From the believers within a sixteenth-century movement to those today who try to follow Jesus, create community, and practice peace, Anabaptists have a rich witness to offer the wider world. Designed for study by small groups and for use as a resource for Christian formation and conversation, this clear, readable guide to what makes Anabaptism unique will equip readers to live out a more radical commitment to Jesus.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781513800417
Publisher:	MennoMedia
Publication date:	03/07/2017
Edition description:	First edition
Pages:	182
Sales rank:	716,105
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Palmer Becker is a speaker, pastor, church planter, missionary, author, and educator. A graduate of Goshen College, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Regent College, and Fuller Theological Seminary, Becker most recently served as director of the Hesston College pastoral ministries program. His booklet What Is an Anabaptist Christian? has been translated into twenty languages.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

A Short History of Christianity 15

Part I Jesus Is the Center of Our Faith

1 Christianity Is Discipleship 29

2 Scripture Is Interpreted through Jesus 39

3 Jesus Is Lord 53

Part II Community Is the Center of Our Life

4 Forgiveness Is Essential for Community 67

5 God's Will Is Discerned in Community 81

6 Members Are Held Accountable 95

Part III Reconciliation Is the Center of Our Work

7 Individuals Are Reconciled to God 111

8 Members Are Reconciled to Each Other 125

9 Conflicts in the World Are Reconciled 137

Conclusions

10 The Holy Spirit's Work Is Essential 157

11 Concluding Reflections on Anabaptist Essentials 169

Notes 175

The Author 183

Editorial Reviews

01/09/2017
Becker (What Is an Anabaptist Christian?) offers a concise, informative, insightful history of Christian Anabaptists timed to the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The Anabaptist tradition, including Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, and Brethren in Christ, grew out the tumultuous Reformation in northern Europe, but found favor with neither Catholics nor Protestants—in part because Anabaptists refused to fight in war. Now Anabaptists are in 80 countries; two-thirds are in the Global South. Becker is a Canadian Mennonite pastor, educator, and missionary with a delightfully empirical mind. His book is built on three concepts (Jesus, community, reconciliation), from which proceed three key statements: “Jesus is the center of our faith; 2) community is the center of our lives; and 3) reconciliation is the center of our work.” The section on Anabaptists and conflict should be assigned reading for every Christian for its clear-eyed assessment of conflict and its effective nonviolent strategies for engaging and transforming it. “Reconciling conflict is hard work.... However, there is no greater joy than to live a reconciled life,” writes Becker. This slim volume, with illustrative graphics and discussion questions, is an easy, engaging read for those who want to learn, or be reminded of, what Christianity is all about. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly