1. AN INTRODUCTION TO
MENNONITE STUDIES
MENN 100

2. Short Intro to the Mennonites
MENN 100

3. Who are the Mennonites?
Descendants of a
group of so-called
“Radical Reformers”
from the 16th-c.
European
Reformation

4. Who are the Mennonites?
Known today in North
America more popularly
for their foodways,
culture, music and coral
singing, religious
characteristics, pacifism,
and rural lifestyle

5. Who are the Mennonites?
Population:
① Fraser Valley – 18,000

6. Mennonites in the Fraser Valley

7. Who are the Mennonites?
Population:
① Fraser Valley – 18,000
② British Columbia – 25,000

8. Mennonites in
British
Columbia

9. Who are the Mennonites?
Population:
① Fraser Valley – 18,000
② British Columbia – 25,000
③ Canada – 136,000

10. Mennonites in Canada

11. Who are the Mennonites?
Population:
① Fraser Valley – 18,000
② British Columbia – 25,000
③ Canada – 136,000
④ United States – 387,000

13. Who are the Mennonites?
Population:
① Fraser Valley – 18,000
② British Columbia – 25,000
③ Canada – 136,000
④ United States – 387,000
⑤ Worldwide – 1.6 million

15. Who are the Mennonites?
Dutch Mennonite schisms
Approximately 30
identifiable Mennonite
groups in North America
and approximately 100
larger national bodies
worldwide

16. Expectations and Themes of the Course
MENN 100

17. Course Expectations…Or, Why take Mennonite Studies?
!
!
!
!
Understanding Mennonite history leads to a greater appreciation for
Mennonite values and actions
Exploring issues of Mennonite identity will raise the difficult socio-economic,
political, and religious questions
The Mennonite story is (or can be) part of our collective memory
Doing history helps us to more favourably make history, i.e. history functions
as inspiration

18. Mennonite Studies Sources & Resources
MENN 100

19. Historiography
Roth, John D. "Recent Currents in the Historiography of the Radical Reformation."
Church History 71, no. 3 (September 2002): 523-36.
"
"
Begins with analysis of Harold S. Bender’s The Anabaptist Vision
Identifies current historiographical trends including moving
beyond “ radical” and “polygenesis” interpretations

20. Historiography
Stayer, James M. Werner Packull, and Klaus Deppermann. "From Monogenesis to
Polygenesis: The Historical Discussion of Anabaptist Origins." Mennonite Quarterly
Review 59 (1975): 83-121.
"
"
Suggested that there were multiple origins (“polygenesis”) of
Anabaptism rather than a single, Swiss origin
Three implications:
①
Anabaptism proper could not be measured by the Swiss Brethren
②
The definition of “Anabaptist” broadened
③
The tenets and practices of Anabaptism became less easily defined

21. Mennonite Historical Surveys
Smith, C. Henry. Smith's Story of the Mennonites, rev. and exp.
by Cornelius Krahn, 5th ed., Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1981.
"
Considered a classic and monumental achievement
"
Yet, criticized for disregarding issues of theology, philosophy,
ethics, piety, and community

22. Mennonite Historical Surveys
Loewen, Harry and Steven Nolt, Through Fire and Water: An
Overview of Mennonite History, 2nd ed. Scottdale, PA: Herald
Press, 2010.
"
Most readable and “confessional” of the surveys
"
More for high school students and lay readers

23. Mennonite Historical Surveys
Dyck, Cornelius. An Introduction to Mennonite History, 3rd ed.
Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1993.
"
Best middle-ground text
"
Allows for the most insight into the “inner workings” of the
Mennonite community

24. Pre-Anabaptist Origins
Davis, Kenneth R. Anabaptism and Asceticism: A Study in Intellectual
Origins. Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History, Vol. 16.
Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1974.
"
Anabaptism was influenced by German Mysticism, the devotio
moderna, and Erasmian Humanism

25. Pre-Anabaptist Origins
Packull, Werner O. Mysticism and the Early South German-Austrian
Anabaptist Movement, 1525-1531. Studies in Anabaptist and
Mennonite History, Vol. 19. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1977.
"
South German-Austrian Anabaptism was influenced by the
Theologia Deutsch and German Mysticism

26. Pre-Anabaptist Origins
Snyder, C. Arnold. "The Monastic Origins of Swiss Anabaptist
Sectarianism." Mennonite Quarterly Review 57, no. 1 (January
1983): 5-26.
"
The distinctives of the Swiss Brethren are derived from
Benedictinism

27. Anabaptist Origins
Williams, George H. The Radical Reformation, 3rd ed. Kirksville,
MO: Sixteenth Century Publishers, 1992.
"
Broadened the Anabaptist movement to include many leaders
who were neglected until then

28. Anabaptist Origins
Estep, William R. The Anabaptist Story: An Introduction to SixteenthCentury Anabaptism. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.
"
Very readable overview of Anabaptist origins from a nonMennonite historian

29. Anabaptist Origins
Weaver, J. Denny. Becoming Anabaptist: The Origins and
Significance of Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism, 2nd ed. Scottdale,
PA: Herald Press, 2006.
"
a well-organized and readable text that was the first to
account for the polygenesis interpretation

30. Anabaptist Origins
Snyder, C. Arnold. Anabaptist History and Theology: An
Introduction. Kitchener, ON: Pandora Press, 1995.
"
Has the distinct objective of providing a synthesis of the
polygenesis origins and a core set of beliefs and practices

31. Anabaptist People
Goertz, Hans-Jürgen, ed. Profiles of Radical Reformers. Trans.
Walter Klaassen. Kitchener, ON: Herald Press, 1982.
"
includes 21 biographical sketches of Radical Reformers

32. Anabaptist People
Snyder, C. Arnold and Linda Huebert Hecht, eds. Profiles of
Anabaptist Women. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University
Press, 1996.
"
includes 25 biographical sketches and highlights contributions
of Anabaptist women

33. Russian Experience
Kroeker, Wally. An Introduction to the Russian Mennonites. The
Global Church series. Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2005.
"
Concise (122 pp.) and very readable introduction to
Mennonites in Russia and their migration to North and South
America

34. Russian Experience
Urry, James. None but Saints: The Transformation of Mennonite Life
in Russia, 1789-1889, 2nd ed. Kitchener, ON: Pandora Press,
2007.
"
Scholarly, well-documented treatment of the Mennonites’ first
100 years in Russia
"
Gives adequate attention to the economic, social, and political
infrastructure of the colonies

35. Mennonites in Canada
Epp, Frank H. (Vols. 1 & 2) and T.D. Regehr (Vol. 3), Mennonites in
Canada, 1786-1920, 1920-1940, 1939-1970. 3 Vols. Toronto:
Macmillan; U. of Toronto Press, 1974, 1982, 1996.
" A very comprehensive, well-documented, scholarly
three-volume outline of Mennonites in Canada from
segregation and self-preservation to acculturation and
integration

36. Russian Experience
Lehn, Cornelia. Frontier Challenge: A Story of the Conference of
Mennonites in British Columbia. Clearbrook, BC: Conference of
Mennonites in BC, 1990.
"
A readable yet informative outline of the history of
Mennonites in British Columbia from settlement until after
WWII

37. Global Mennonitism & Multicuralism
Global Mennonite History series. Intercourse, PA: Good Books,
2006-2011.
" A series that is partly academic and partly layeducational that outlines the history of Mennonites on
every continent

38. Anabaptist-Mennonite Primary Sources
Classics of the Radical Reformation. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press,
1973– .
" The most comprehensive series of early Anabaptist
writings in English translation

39. Anabaptist-Mennonite Primary Sources
Wenger, J.C., ed. The Complete Writings of Menno Simons.
Leonard Verduin, trans. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1956.
"
A sizable single tome that includes every extant writing of
Menno Simons

40. Anabaptist-Mennonite Thought
Roth, John D. Beliefs: Mennonite Faith and Practice. Scottdale, PA:
Herald Press, 2005.
"
A concise and engaging introduction to Mennonite beliefs
"
Focuses on a Mennonite understanding of biblical
interpretation, baptism, discipleship, and a visible church

41. Anabaptist-Mennonite Identity
Kauffman, J. Howard and Leo Driedger. The Mennonite Mosaic:
Identity and Modernization. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1991.
"
Outlines conclusions on beliefs, practices, and social attitudes
of Mennonites after increased acculturation
"
Weighs factors that have impacted fidelity to original
Anabaptist beliefs / practices

42. Mennonites and Peace
Sampson, Cynthia and John Paul Lederach. From the Ground Up:
Mennonite Contributions to International Peacebuilding. Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2000.
"
A compilation of essays on recent Mennonite involvement in
peacemaking efforts around the world

43. Mennonites, Economics, & Social Justice
Redekop, Calvin, Victor A. Krahn, and Samuel J. Steiner, eds.
Anabaptist/Mennonite Faith and Economics. Institute of Anabaptist
and Mennonite Studies. Lanham, MD: University Press of America,
1994.
"
Excellent comprehensive resource on Mennonites and
economics throughout its 500-year history
"
Looks at the economy and various Anabaptist-Mennonite issues
based on geography, different eras, and various historical
circumstances

44. Mennonites and Politics
Urry, James. Mennonites, Politics, and Peoplehood: Europe-RussiaCanada 1525 to 1980. Winnipeg, MB: University of Manitoba
Press, 2006.
"
A scholarly exploration of Anabaptist-Mennonite involvement
in politics and struggle to understand the appropriate
apprehension of power

45. Mennonites and Ecology
Redekop, Calvin W., ed. Creation and the Environment: An
Anabaptist Perspective on the Sustainable World. Baltimore, MD:
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000.
"
A compilation of essays that explore Anabaptist-Mennonite
approaches to environmental care

46. Mennonites and Literature
Neufeld, Elsie K., ed. Half in the Sun: An Anthology of Mennonite
Writing. Vancouver: Ronsdale Press, 2006.
"
An anthology of short writings by Mennonites who currently
reside in BC
"
Each author explores themes related to Mennonite life, culture,
struggles, and accomplishments

47. Anabaptist-Mennonite Reference Works
Bender, Harold S. and C. Henry Smith, eds., The Mennonite
Encyclopedia, Vols. 1–4. Herald Press, 1955–1959; Dyck,
Cornelius J. and Dennis D. Martin, eds., The Mennonite
Encyclopedia, Vol. 5. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1990.
"
The standard and comprehensive reference work on
Anabaptist-Mennonite topics
"
Includes 13,688 articles by 2,700 contributors in the original
first four volumes and 1,000 more, plus updates, in the fifth
volume
"
All articles and some additions are on www.gameo.org
(Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online)

48. Anabaptist-Mennonite Journals
Mennonite Quarterly Review
"
An interdisciplinary Anabaptist-Mennonite founded in 1927
that is the most scholarly and reputable of the journals
Conrad Grebel Review
"
A journal from Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo,
ON that is interdisciplinary and more theological in focus
Journal of Mennonite Studies
"
A journal founded in 1983 by the Chair of Mennonite Studies
at the University of Winnipeg to address Mennonite topics,
mostly dealing with contemporary North American themes

49. Anabaptist-Mennonite Classics
Braght, Thieleman J. van. Martyrs Mirror: The Story of Seventeen
Centuries of Christian Martyrdom From the Time of Christ to A.D.
1660. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1938.
"
A very large tome (originally 1290 pages) of Christian
martyrs since the early Church, first published in 1660 by
Tieleman van Braght (1625-64)
"
Over half gives accounts of 803 Anabaptist martyrs up to the
year 1660
"
Also includes 104 copper etchings by Jan Luyken (1649-1712)