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Menno Simons: the Road to a Voluntary Church

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Menno Simons: the Road to a Voluntary Church MENNO SIMONS: THE ROAD TO A VOLUNTARY CHURCH by IRVIN BUCKWALTER HORST The announcement of a critical edition of Menno Simons' writings provides an appropriate opportunity to re-examine the influence of this author and in par­ ticular his reforming work. It is the purpose of this article to trace historically several important stages in the development of the Dutch Anabaptist view of the church under the leadership of Menno Simons, that is, from about 1536 to 1561. A major issue at the time of the Reformation faced by all the parties was the re­ definition of the church according to scriptural principles and the need of the times. For all parties, Lutheran, Zwinglian and Anabaptist, were parties in schism from the established Roman Catholic Church and thus had to meet theologically as well as practically a crisis pertaining to their very existence. As the years went by Catholic polemic about schism was focused on all the Protes­ tant parties, but the Lutherans and Zwinglians, although often at odds among themselves on doctrinal issues, directed their charges of separation against the Anabaptists. A recent article in discussing this matter came to the conclusion 'that the charge of schism made against the Anabaptists by Protestants in the six­ teenth century was valid only if Protestants were prepared to admit their own schism from Rome' . 1 This question is particularly relevant for the Netherlands where the Anabaptists separated directly from the Catholic church and not from any Protestant party. A parity in schismatic origin sharpens the issue about authority and the nature of the church within Protestantism. If we look at the most recent studies of Menno Simons we also find a broader and more critical approach than traditionally had been the case. In these studies, as in Reformation research in general, a new interest exists on the part of so­ called profane historians without any commitment to a particular religious tradi­ tion. The result has been a levelling of historical criticism with the whithering away of apologetic concerns or attempts to justify a traditional viewpoint. In a full-length study of Menno, for example, which appeared some ten years ago, an anthropological investigation showed the Frisian environment and the sectarian influences of Sacramentarianism and early Anabaptism in the region had shaped his religious ideas. Consequently the centre of his theology was shifted from Christology to the subjective experience of the new birth. 2 Other scholars from 1 Walter Klaassen, 'The Anabaptist Understanding of the Separation of the Church', Church History, 46 ( 1977) 436. 2 Christoph Bornhauser, Leben und Lehre Menno Simons'. Ein Kampf um das FundamenJ des Glaubens (etwas 1496-1561). Neukirchen-Vluyn, 1973. MENNO SIMONS: THE ROAD TO A VOLUNTARY CHURCH 195 outside the tradition have placed Menno alongside Luther and Calvin and made comparative studies regarding their views of the Trinity, the church and other doctrines. In these investigations the Dutch reformer occupies a key position as the spokesmen for a third option. Not only in regard to basic doctrines was Men­ no' s position of influence but also in relation to ethics and especially on the mat­ ter of the relation of the church to the social order. 3 While some are inclined to criticize the new studies as reductionist, it is clear that they have had a positive influence on Anabaptist studies by way of placing the subject within the broader context of the Protestant Reformation. And what about Menno Simons studies within the tradition, that is, within the brotherhood which took on his name? Here he occupies a secure place as a reformer of the third way, as the molder (if not the founder) of a nonconformist ethic which found expression in a community of believers and a disciplined way oflife. His writings are highly regarded and remain in print - with some textual problems unsolved - as conducive to evangelical faith and upright living. We find here the fullest account to date of Menno's theology and ethics. 4 Other specialist studies trace the continuity of Dutch Anabaptism from the late Middle Ages and explicate his doctrine of the church. 5 Within the tradition also, but then in the Netherlands, Menno's theological views have had their due in recent years. There is a deep respect for his consequential Christology, the way in which his view of the incarnation relates to the doctrine of salvation but also to his ethics. 6 Criticism is not absent from these studies, and it would be wrong to believe that sympathetic treatments cannot be impartial and fair in their inter­ pretation of controversial subjects. All of these interests, whether arising from deconfessionalization or from the tradition, will profit greatly from a scholarly edition ofMenno's writings. Certainly no one today would question the need for such an edition but would be more inclined to express surprise about the long delay in its appearance. 7 How much of a case can be made for Dutch Anabaptism as a distinctive move­ ment, especially identified by the principle and practice of voluntarism? We 'John R. Loeschen, The Divine Community: Trinity, Church, and Ethics in Reformation Theologies. Kirksville, 1981. John Tonkin, The Church and the Secular Order in reformation Thought. New York/Lon­ don, 1971. • William Echard Keeney, The Development of Dutch Anabaptist Thought and Practice.from 1539-1564. Nieuwkoop, 1968. 'Cornelius Krahn, Dutch Anabaptism. Origin, Spread, Lift and Thought (1450-1600). The Hague, 1968. Also see the same author's older but still indispensable study, Menno Simons (1496-1561). Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte und Theologie tier Taufgesinnten. Karlsruhe, 1936. 6 Sjouke Voolstra, Het Woord is Viets gewordm, de melchioritische-menniste incarnatieleer. Kampen, 1982. J.A. Oosterbaan, 'Een doperse christologie', Nederlands Theologisch Tijdschrift, 35 (1982) 32-4 7. 7 See the chapter by H.W. Meihuizen, 'A New Edition of Menno Simons' Writings', in this book. Meihuizen has edited Menno Simons, Dat Fundament des Christelyclcen Leers. The Hague, 1967. Also see his, Menno Simons, ijveraar voor het htrstel van de nieuwtestamentische gemeente 1496-1561. Haarlem, 1961. .
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