Becoming Anabaptist

This wonderful book admirably covers the origin of the Anabaptist faith, from the very beginning of the Protestant Reformation to the death of Menno Simons in 1561. Anabaptism did not originate with one man in one place. Instead, the modern Anabaptist movement is a confluence of reform movements in three areas: Switzerland, Southern Germany and Moravia, and the Low Countries. And, in the final chapter of the book, the author, Professor of Religion at Bluffton (Mennonite) College, looks at the implication of the historic Anabaptist faith. Overall, I found this to be a fantastic book. The author gives a clear and concise history of Anabaptism, including the famous (or infamous) Anabaptist kingdom of Munster (1534-35). As I was reading along, I could not help but marvel at the excellence of the book. However, the final chapter, The Meaning of Anabaptism, I found much less appealing. As members of a hated and persecuted minority themselves, the Anabaptists have frequently campaigned for civil and human rights in many countries around the world. But, the author seems to unquestioningly link the modern Anabaptists to the modern American political Left. I found this to be rather disappointing, and in some ways a cheapening of Anabaptism, making its social reach dependent on a non-Christian movement. But, that said, this is a marvelous history of the Anabaptist faith, definitely the best one that I have seen so far. So, if you are interested in the history of the Anabaptists, then you simply MUST get this book. I highly recommend it.

Don't let the 176 pages fool you. This book is comprehensive survey concerning the origins of Anabaptism. Taking a "multiple origins" view of almost simultaneous origins in Switzerland and South Germany/Austria/Moravia and subseqent spread northward to Holland, Weaver presents a complex story with comendable economy.In section 3 he survey anabaptist historiograpy, starting with the establishment view of "they're fanatics" of Calvin and Luther, to the "anabaptist vision" of Harold Bender, to the (then) latest research of Werner Packull, Klaus Deppermann, and James M. Stayer.History writing often tells as much about the writer as it does the "story" and Anabaptist history is no exception! Along the Weaver raises some pertinent points about Anabaptist identity today!Popularly written intellectual history doesn't get any better!