Anabaptism: Difference between revisions
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[[James M. Stayer]], {{Ill|Werner O. Packull|de}}, and [[Klaus Deppermann]] disputed the idea of a single origin of Anabaptists in a 1975 essay entitled "From Monogenesis to Polygenesis", suggesting that February 24, 1527, at Schleitheim is the proper date of the origin of Anabaptism. On this date the Swiss Brethren wrote a declaration of belief called the [[Schleitheim Confession]]. The authors of the essay note the agreement among previous Anabaptist historians on polygenesis, even when disputing the date for a single starting point: "Hillerbrand and Bender (like Holl and Troeltsch) were in agreement that there was a single dispersion of Anabaptism …, which certainly ran through Zurich. The only question was whether or not it went back further to Saxony." | [[James M. Stayer]], {{Ill|Werner O. Packull|de}}, and [[Klaus Deppermann]] disputed the idea of a single origin of Anabaptists in a 1975 essay entitled "From Monogenesis to Polygenesis", suggesting that February 24, 1527, at Schleitheim is the proper date of the origin of Anabaptism. On this date the Swiss Brethren wrote a declaration of belief called the [[Schleitheim Confession]]. The authors of the essay note the agreement among previous Anabaptist historians on polygenesis, even when disputing the date for a single starting point: "Hillerbrand and Bender (like Holl and Troeltsch) were in agreement that there was a single dispersion of Anabaptism …, which certainly ran through Zurich. The only question was whether or not it went back further to Saxony." | ||
After criticizing the standard polygenetic history, the authors found six groups in early Anabaptism which could be collapsed into three originating "points of departure": "South German Anabaptism, the Swiss Brethren, and the [[Melchiorites]]". According to their polygenesis theory, South German–Austrian Anabaptism "was a diluted form of [[Rhineland mysticism]]", Swiss Anabaptism "arose out of Reformed [[Congregationalist polity|congregationalism]]", and Dutch Anabaptism was formed by "Social unrest and the apocalyptic visions of [[Melchior Hoffman]]". As examples of how the Anabaptist movement was influenced from sources other than the Swiss Brethren movement, mention has been made of how [[Pilgram Marpeck]]'s | After criticizing the standard polygenetic history, the authors found six groups in early Anabaptism which could be collapsed into three originating "points of departure": "South German Anabaptism, the Swiss Brethren, and the [[Melchiorites]]". According to their polygenesis theory, South German–Austrian Anabaptism "was a diluted form of [[Rhineland mysticism]]", Swiss Anabaptism "arose out of Reformed [[Congregationalist polity|congregationalism]]", and Dutch Anabaptism was formed by "Social unrest and the apocalyptic visions of [[Melchior Hoffman]]". As examples of how the Anabaptist movement was influenced from sources other than the Swiss Brethren movement, mention has been made of how [[Pilgram Marpeck]]'s ''Vermanung'' of 1542 was deeply influenced by the ''Bekenntnisse'' of 1533 by Münster theologian [[Bernhard Rothmann]]. Hoffman influenced the [[Hutterites]] when they used his commentary on the [[Apocalypse]] shortly after he wrote it. | ||
Others who have written in support of polygenesis include | Others who have written in support of polygenesis include [[Grete Mecenseffy]] and [[Walter Klaassen]], who established links between Müntzer and [[Hans Hut]]. In another work, Gottfried Seebaß and Werner Packull show the influence of Müntzer on the formation of South German Anabaptism. Similarly, author Steven Ozment links Hut and [[Hans Denck]] with Müntzer, [[Sebastian Franck]], and others. Author Calvin Pater shows how [[Andreas Karlstadt]] influenced Swiss Anabaptism in various areas, including his view of Scripture, doctrine of the church, and views on baptism. | ||
Several historians, including Thor Hall, Kenneth Davis, and Robert Kreider, have also noted the influence of [[Renaissance humanism|humanism]] on Radical Reformers in the three originating points of departure to account for how this brand of reform could develop independently from each other. Relatively recent research, begun in a more advanced and deliberate manner by Andrew P. Klager, also explores how the influence and a particular reading of the [[Church Fathers]] contributed to the development of distinctly Anabaptist beliefs and practices in separate regions of Europe in the early 16th century, including by [[Menno Simons]] in the Netherlands, Grebel in Switzerland, Müntzer in central Germany, Marpeck in the Tyrol, Peter Walpot in Moravia, and especially [[Balthasar Hubmaier]] in southern Germany, Switzerland, and Moravia. | Several historians, including Thor Hall, Kenneth Davis, and Robert Kreider, have also noted the influence of [[Renaissance humanism|humanism]] on Radical Reformers in the three originating points of departure to account for how this brand of reform could develop independently from each other. Relatively recent research, begun in a more advanced and deliberate manner by Andrew P. Klager, also explores how the influence and a particular reading of the [[Church Fathers]] contributed to the development of distinctly Anabaptist beliefs and practices in separate regions of Europe in the early 16th century, including by [[Menno Simons]] in the Netherlands, Grebel in Switzerland, Müntzer in central Germany, Marpeck in the Tyrol, Peter Walpot in Moravia, and especially [[Balthasar Hubmaier]] in southern Germany, Switzerland, and Moravia. | ||
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= Anabaptism = | = Anabaptism = | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|Part of a series on | |Part of a series on | ||
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== Lineage == | == Lineage == | ||
[ | [file:Christianity_Branches_without_text.svg/700px-Christianity_Branches_without_text.svg.png|left] | ||
=== Medieval forerunners === | === Medieval forerunners === | ||
''Main article: [[Proto-Protestantism]]'' | |||
Main article: Proto-Protestantism | |||
Anabaptists are considered to have begun with the Radical Reformation in the 16th century, but historians classify certain people and groups as their forerunners because of a similar approach to the interpretation and application of the Bible. For instance, Petr Chelčický, a 15th-century Bohemian reformer, taught most of the beliefs considered integral to Anabaptist theology. Medieval antecedents may include the Brethren of the Common Life, the Hussites, Dutch Sacramentists, and some forms of monasticism. The Waldensians also represent a faith similar to the Anabaptists. | Anabaptists are considered to have begun with the Radical Reformation in the 16th century, but historians classify certain people and groups as their forerunners because of a similar approach to the interpretation and application of the Bible. For instance, Petr Chelčický, a 15th-century Bohemian reformer, taught most of the beliefs considered integral to Anabaptist theology. Medieval antecedents may include the Brethren of the Common Life, the Hussites, Dutch Sacramentists, and some forms of monasticism. The Waldensians also represent a faith similar to the Anabaptists. | ||
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=== Zwickau prophets and the German Peasants' War === | === Zwickau prophets and the German Peasants' War === | ||
''Main article: Zwickau prophets]]'' | |||
Main article: Zwickau prophets | |||
[[null|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Titelblatt_12_Artikel.jpg|thumb|Twelve Articles of the Peasants pamphlet of 1525]] | [[null|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Titelblatt_12_Artikel.jpg|thumb|Twelve Articles of the Peasants pamphlet of 1525]] | ||
On December 27, 1521, three "prophets" from Zwickau appeared in Wittenberg who were influenced by (and, in turn, influencing) Thomas Müntzer – Thomas Dreschel, Nicholas Storch, and Mark Thomas Stübner. They preached an apocalyptic, radical alternative to Lutheranism. Their preaching helped to stir the feelings concerning the social crisis which erupted in the German Peasants' War in southern Germany in 1525 as a revolt against feudal oppression. | On December 27, 1521, three "prophets" from Zwickau appeared in Wittenberg who were influenced by (and, in turn, influencing) Thomas Müntzer – Thomas Dreschel, Nicholas Storch, and Mark Thomas Stübner. They preached an apocalyptic, radical alternative to Lutheranism. Their preaching helped to stir the feelings concerning the social crisis which erupted in the German Peasants' War in southern Germany in 1525 as a revolt against feudal oppression. | ||
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=== Views on origins === | === Views on origins === | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png | |https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png | ||
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==== Monogenesis ==== | ==== Monogenesis ==== | ||
Some scholars (e.g. Harold S. Bender, William Estep, Robert Friedmann) consider the Anabaptist movement to have developed from the Swiss Brethren movement. They generally argue that Anabaptism had its origins in Zürich and that the Anabaptism of the Swiss Brethren was transmitted to southern Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and northern Germany, where it developed into its various branches. The monogenesis theory usually rejects the Münsterites and other radicals from the category of true Anabaptists. In the monogenesis view the time of origin is January 21, 1525, when Conrad Grebel baptized George Blaurock, and Blaurock in turn baptized several others immediately. These baptisms were the first "re-baptisms" known in the movement. This continues to be the most widely accepted date posited for the establishment of Anabaptism. | Some scholars (e.g. Harold S. Bender, William Estep, Robert Friedmann) consider the Anabaptist movement to have developed from the Swiss Brethren movement. They generally argue that Anabaptism had its origins in Zürich and that the Anabaptism of the Swiss Brethren was transmitted to southern Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and northern Germany, where it developed into its various branches. The monogenesis theory usually rejects the Münsterites and other radicals from the category of true Anabaptists. In the monogenesis view the time of origin is January 21, 1525, when Conrad Grebel baptized George Blaurock, and Blaurock in turn baptized several others immediately. These baptisms were the first "re-baptisms" known in the movement. This continues to be the most widely accepted date posited for the establishment of Anabaptism. | ||
==== Polygenesis ==== | ==== Polygenesis ==== | ||
James M. Stayer, Werner O. Packull, and Klaus Deppermann disputed the idea of a single origin of Anabaptists in a 1975 essay entitled "From Monogenesis to Polygenesis", suggesting that February 24, 1527, at Schleitheim is the proper date of the origin of Anabaptism. On this date the Swiss Brethren wrote a declaration of belief called the Schleitheim Confession.<sup>[''page needed'']</sup> The authors of the essay note the agreement among previous Anabaptist historians on polygenesis, even when disputing the date for a single starting point: "Hillerbrand and Bender (like Holl and Troeltsch) were in agreement that there was a single dispersion of Anabaptism ..., which certainly ran through Zurich. The only question was whether or not it went back further to Saxony." | |||
James M. Stayer, Werner O. Packull | |||
After criticizing the standard polygenetic history, the authors found six groups in early Anabaptism which could be collapsed into three originating "points of departure": "South German Anabaptism, the Swiss Brethren, and the Melchiorites". According to their polygenesis theory, 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". As examples of how the Anabaptist movement was influenced from sources other than the Swiss Brethren movement, mention has been made of how Pilgram Marpeck's ''Vermanung'' of 1542 was deeply influenced by the ''Bekenntnisse'' of 1533 by Münster theologian Bernhard Rothmann. Hoffman influenced the Hutterites when they used his commentary on the Apocalypse shortly after he wrote it. | After criticizing the standard polygenetic history, the authors found six groups in early Anabaptism which could be collapsed into three originating "points of departure": "South German Anabaptism, the Swiss Brethren, and the Melchiorites". According to their polygenesis theory, 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". As examples of how the Anabaptist movement was influenced from sources other than the Swiss Brethren movement, mention has been made of how Pilgram Marpeck's ''Vermanung'' of 1542 was deeply influenced by the ''Bekenntnisse'' of 1533 by Münster theologian Bernhard Rothmann. Hoffman influenced the Hutterites when they used his commentary on the Apocalypse shortly after he wrote it. | ||
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==== Apostolic succession ==== | ==== Apostolic succession ==== | ||
Baptist successionists have at times pointed to 16th-century Anabaptists as part of an apostolic succession of churches ("church perpetuity") from the time of Christ. This view is held by some Baptists, some Mennonites, and some "true church" movements. The opponents of the Baptist successionism theory emphasize that these non-Catholic groups clearly differed from each other, that they held some heretical views, or that the groups had no connection with one another and had origins that were separate both in time and in place. | Baptist successionists have at times pointed to 16th-century Anabaptists as part of an apostolic succession of churches ("church perpetuity") from the time of Christ. This view is held by some Baptists, some Mennonites, and some "true church" movements. The opponents of the Baptist successionism theory emphasize that these non-Catholic groups clearly differed from each other, that they held some heretical views, or that the groups had no connection with one another and had origins that were separate both in time and in place. | ||
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Although Moravian Anabaptism was a transplant from other areas of Europe, [[Moravia]] soon became a center for the growing movement, largely because of the greater religious tolerance found there. Hans Hut was an early evangelist in the area, with one historian crediting him with baptizing more converts in two years than all the other Anabaptist evangelists put together. The coming of Balthasar Hübmaier to [[Nikolsburg]] was a definite boost for Anabaptist ideas to the area. With the great influx of religious refugees from all over Europe, many variations of Anabaptism appeared in Moravia, with Jarold Zeman documenting at least ten slightly different versions. | Although Moravian Anabaptism was a transplant from other areas of Europe, [[Moravia]] soon became a center for the growing movement, largely because of the greater religious tolerance found there. Hans Hut was an early evangelist in the area, with one historian crediting him with baptizing more converts in two years than all the other Anabaptist evangelists put together. The coming of Balthasar Hübmaier to [[Nikolsburg]] was a definite boost for Anabaptist ideas to the area. With the great influx of religious refugees from all over Europe, many variations of Anabaptism appeared in Moravia, with Jarold Zeman documenting at least ten slightly different versions. | ||
Jacob Wiedemann appeared at Nikolsburg and began to teach the pacifistic convictions of the Swiss Brethren, on which Hübmaier had been less authoritative. This would lead to a division between the | Jacob Wiedemann appeared at Nikolsburg and began to teach the pacifistic convictions of the Swiss Brethren, on which Hübmaier had been less authoritative. This would lead to a division between the ''Schwertler'' (sword-bearing) and the (staff-bearing). Wiedemann and those with him also promoted the practice of [[community of goods]]. With orders from the lords of [[Liechtenstein]] to leave Nikolsburg, about 200 withdrew to Moravia to form a community at [[Austerlitz, Netherlands|Austerlitz]]. | ||
Persecution in South Tyrol brought many refugees to Moravia, many of whom formed into communities that practised community of goods. Others came from [[Silesia]], Switzerland, German lands, and the Low Countries. With the passing of time and persecution, all the other versions of Anabaptism would die out in Moravia leaving only the Hutterites. Even the Hutterites would be dissipated by persecution, with a remnant fleeing to [[Transylvania]], then to Ukraine, and finally to North America in 1874. | Persecution in South Tyrol brought many refugees to Moravia, many of whom formed into communities that practised community of goods. Others came from [[Silesia]], Switzerland, German lands, and the Low Countries. With the passing of time and persecution, all the other versions of Anabaptism would die out in Moravia leaving only the Hutterites. Even the Hutterites would be dissipated by persecution, with a remnant fleeing to [[Transylvania]], then to Ukraine, and finally to North America in 1874. | ||
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== Spirituality == | == Spirituality == | ||
''Further information on this topic can be found at: | ''Further information on this topic can be found at: [[wikipedia:Hymnody_of_continental_Europe#Anabaptists|Hymnody of continental Europe (Anabaptists)]] | ||
[[File:Zürich - Schipfe IMG 1969.JPG|thumb|Memorial plate at [[Schipfe]] quarter in [[Zürich]] for the Anabaptists executed in the early 16th century by the Zürich city government]] | [[File:Zürich - Schipfe IMG 1969.JPG|thumb|Memorial plate at [[Schipfe]] quarter in [[Zürich]] for the Anabaptists executed in the early 16th century by the Zürich city government]] | ||