Menno Simons and the Sword: From Oldeklooster to Wüstenfelde
This article traces the evolution of the attitudes of Anabaptist Menno Simons with respect to state-sponsored violence by examining the theme through his written works over the course of his career as a reformer. Particular attention is given to the circumstances that surround key writings. Menno’s...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Religions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/11/1356 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850266710742925312 |
|---|---|
| author | Scott McGinnis |
| author_facet | Scott McGinnis |
| author_sort | Scott McGinnis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article traces the evolution of the attitudes of Anabaptist Menno Simons with respect to state-sponsored violence by examining the theme through his written works over the course of his career as a reformer. Particular attention is given to the circumstances that surround key writings. Menno’s sometimes deliberate ambiguity and the evolution in his beliefs reflect his precarious position as an itinerant preacher, as well as the fragile state of the group of would-be revolutionaries and other dissenters whose leadership he inherited shortly after renouncing his role as a priest. The position he ultimately took against the execution of criminals is unusual for his day and shows the extent of his thoroughgoing rejection of violence for Christians. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a9437944db284fcbb97993bb1a8c82e6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-a9437944db284fcbb97993bb1a8c82e62025-08-20T01:54:04ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-11-011511135610.3390/rel15111356Menno Simons and the Sword: From Oldeklooster to WüstenfeldeScott McGinnis0Department of Biblical and Religious Studies, Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229, USAThis article traces the evolution of the attitudes of Anabaptist Menno Simons with respect to state-sponsored violence by examining the theme through his written works over the course of his career as a reformer. Particular attention is given to the circumstances that surround key writings. Menno’s sometimes deliberate ambiguity and the evolution in his beliefs reflect his precarious position as an itinerant preacher, as well as the fragile state of the group of would-be revolutionaries and other dissenters whose leadership he inherited shortly after renouncing his role as a priest. The position he ultimately took against the execution of criminals is unusual for his day and shows the extent of his thoroughgoing rejection of violence for Christians.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/11/1356Menno Simonspacificismcapital punishmentreligious toleration |
| spellingShingle | Scott McGinnis Menno Simons and the Sword: From Oldeklooster to Wüstenfelde Religions Menno Simons pacificism capital punishment religious toleration |
| title | Menno Simons and the Sword: From Oldeklooster to Wüstenfelde |
| title_full | Menno Simons and the Sword: From Oldeklooster to Wüstenfelde |
| title_fullStr | Menno Simons and the Sword: From Oldeklooster to Wüstenfelde |
| title_full_unstemmed | Menno Simons and the Sword: From Oldeklooster to Wüstenfelde |
| title_short | Menno Simons and the Sword: From Oldeklooster to Wüstenfelde |
| title_sort | menno simons and the sword from oldeklooster to wustenfelde |
| topic | Menno Simons pacificism capital punishment religious toleration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/11/1356 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT scottmcginnis mennosimonsandtheswordfromoldekloostertowustenfelde |