The State of Anabaptism in 2003

by Paul Emerson

We live in a day and an age where many of God’s people are burdened about many things. Every major denomination in Christendom is experiencing major shifts away from the life and vitality of their beginnings. I get letters representing them all. The letters basically express the same thing, words of concern over drift. Drift away from the original zeal and love for God. Drift away from the clear Biblical positions that others died for. I am concerned for the same things. This concern is one of the reasons for this magazine. I recently read a short article written by Paul Emerson, a Mennonite minister. He expressed the same sigh as he watches his church drift away from one of the most powerful testimonies of any group of God’s people in church history. The article, printed below, fits our burden in this magazine. God, send us more prophets who will not be silent. --The editor

As one views the descendants of Menno today, a mixed message is received. On the one extreme, there are those who represent a very obvious apostate drift in theology and Biblical application. They publicly sum up the leftward travel over the last 40 years with “We’ve come a long way, baby!” Others in this stream are busy redefining the person and work of Christ. The message of salvation is being accommodated to the leftist and pluralistic doctrines of men.

On the other extreme, there is a restlessness. An apparent fear exists that the Biblical theology espoused by Anabaptists for hundreds of years is not Anabaptist enough. A distorted herme-neutic is being suggested that makes the true meaning of Scripture dependent upon the consensus of a group of mere men. Since when does any man have a right to sit in judgment upon what God has said?! The apostolic doctrine of salvation is also being adjusted in some circles in order to deny the Biblical truth of substitutionary atonement. When one plays with this one, he is quite literally playing with fire! As church members become less devoted to obeying the clear teachings of Scripture, the more detailed rules seem to be needed in order to maintain a semblance of good order. People mourn regulation but do not realize that it came about because of their failure in self-discipline.

True Anabaptism has always been a movement of radical Christianity. Of late, it appears that many have exchanged radical Christianity for merely being radical. Much that is being represented as Anabaptist Christianity has no relation to Biblical Christianity whatever! The only answer is a fresh, soul-stirring life-changing revival. Pray for that Holy Spirit visitation.

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