MENNONITES: The Next Generation

The Mennonite existence is changing. We are more engrained in politics, activism, consumerism, and economic investment than ever. We have droves of Mennonites carrying weapons, shedding their doctrine, but yet somehow still holding on to their Mennonite cultural roots. Little of the original doctrine of sacrifice and submission still exists, yet you see that most Mennonites go to Mennonite churches, work for fellow Mennonites, marry Mennonites, and socialize with Mennonites, but somehow refuse to call themselves what they are; Mennonite. A leopard may not change his spots, and simply not calling someone a Mennonite does not make them something else. If we are not pleased with what the previous generations of Mennonites have done, we do not need to try to remove our heritage, instead we need to improve our understanding of our history so that we can minister in an educated manner.

In this denial of our heritage, I find there are indeed some things that need to go. Old traditions that are simply the specters of a dead world need to die. But many parts of doctrine are being tossed out with tradition; this does not need to be so. We do not need to abandon solid, Christ-centered theology for doctrine taught elsewhere simply because we are ashamed of our fore-bears. Indeed, I see things that are not Christian at all, but simply American, (Capitalism, American Liberty, Patriotism) being taught by our generation as if it is divine.  These things may not be evil, but they are not of God, yet they are taught as such, making them equal with Christianity. This idol worship is very wrong. Capitalism may be good for the nation and useful to us, but that does not make it a morally good thing. Nor does it make it a morally bad one. However, we have starting incorporating it into Christianity, and that is wrong. 

We as a culture have come to a fork in the road: either we hold to our theology, that which is good and Christian (not simply the traditions), or we abandon the constructs of having a Mennonite society completely- close the doors and join the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. If we do not wish to be mennonite, let us not be so. But this nonsense of just removing the label and continuing as Mennonites in our culture is just pandering to our own ego. 

Rough waters are ahead for Mennonite Churches. As we become indistinguishable from our neighbors in all but last name, one may ask, "Have we just become to self-righteous to interact with the world?" For most of our generation marry, interact, and serve only those with the same culture as we ourselves have. If we have no doctrinal reason to separate ourselves from those around us, why do we do so? Why must we be our own sub-group? If we really want to stop being Mennonite, we should stop congregating within ourselves and actually assimilate with the culture around us. If we do not have any religious differences with our neighbors then the only reason we do not join them must be based on something more selfish; our pride.

It is time for our generation to take a stand in what we believe and teach as Mennonites. We need to do one of two things: abandon ship, or set about the maintenance that has been lacking for generations. The latter choice may be messy, painful, and difficult, but it needs to be done. I must play the hand we have been dealt, we are Mennonite. We do not have an American heritage, Canadian heritage, Mexican heritage, or Russian one. Our forefathers did not bleed and die for these nations, we have not right to appropriate them as if they did. We must accept our own heritage and build upon it. We can complain all we like, that does nothing. We must assess our situation and decide what we wish to do with what we have inherited.
I am delighted with some aspects of my heritage, and ashamed of other parts. Yet I will take and learn from it; not abandon it.

I cannot deny who I am, instead I will learn from it. I advise you to do the same. 

Backpedaling our Faith

I have recently been talking to people about the Mennonite Doctrine of Non-resistance. There seems to be a great deal of concern about this doctrine, and wether or not our churches should still teach this, or if we remove it from Church Doctrine should let each member decide for themselves. Let's see what Jesus taught.  Out of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew:


38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 


Here we see Jesus commanding us to turn the other cheek. This is not some Old Testament law that we have been freed from, nor is it the words of an Apostle to one of the first century churches. This is an explicit command of our LORD and Savior that He addresses to all of us. As if this wasn't clear enough, He continues on this subject later in the chapter. 


43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and theunrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

God, in human form, came down and commanded this teaching. It isn't an easy teaching, but it is a clear one. Nowhere does Jesus give us an exception to this command. Even His own life was an example of how to live out this truth. 

We cannot say that Jesus didn't command this. He did. Explicitly. He gave no exemptions; no addendum saying He didn't mean it. Our choice is simply this, do we accept what Jesus said or do we try to find a way around it? Can we choose which parts of Christ's commands to follow? If so, which are ok? Do we get to negate Christ's words? Do we just want a Savior, or do we accept His authority as LORD as well? Can backpedal on such a clear command and still profess to teach His Word? What Word are we teaching if not love? Can we as a church condone those who obey our fleshly inclination here, and if so, what does can the Church condemn? If we stop teaching the commands of Christ, why are we claiming to represent Him? 

I have heard many people advocate the church remove this clause from our Constitution, that we remain silent on the matter. They would advocate that everyone do what is right in the sight of their own eyes instead of offending those who do not want to obey this command. Is this the legacy we wish to leave to our children? That we backpedal on Christ's commands that our forefathers died for simply because we no longer like the command? How can we profess to be obedient followers if we cannot actually at least support His commands in teaching? 

Not only this, but the main argument against this doctrine is not based on war any longer, but on defending ourselves with violent or deadly force. The theoretical, "What would you do if your family was at gunpoint?" argument is the most common one, and this disturbs me on a psychological level. I personally do not know of anyone who has ever been in such a situation, nor do I feel it likely. However, there are those who argue this just so they have a reason to justify taking up violence against another person. As Christians we should seek the path of peace, not look for a socially acceptable excuse to kill people. I am concerned by the fact that so many people are trying to find the one loophole where they could shoot someone. We should focus on love and peace, not look for hypothetical situations where we could kill people. The fact that it is so enjoyed by so many should concern us. We should have an obsession with saving life, not taking it. The fantasy of killing an intruder is just the adult version of the teenage, "save the girl" fantasy, just with more murder involved. We need to be mature in Christ, follow His commands, even when they cost us something. 

Christ's command was explicit either we obey or disobey. Ignoring a command is disobeying it. Choose you this day.