unshackled - Latest Comments in Anabaptist, me?

Re: Anabaptist, me?

H Kauffman — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:05:52 -0000

[quote comment="29"]I wonder, from this post, how much experience you have of non-US and/or Non-historic-anabaptist-denomination-anabaptism you have? I as because much of what you write here simply does not ring true for me. That is, it gives an incomplete picture, at best.[/quote]

The problem may be: not that we know too little of the A's in other areas, but that we know too much.

Re: Anabaptist, me?

artkauffman — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 21:53:34 -0000

Graham, thanks for your kind comments.

As you guessed, I have little or no experience with Anabaptists outside the United States. In my short entourage of the Anabaptist blogosphere, I have been immensely encouraged by the people who are making the label work for them.

On this blog, I may or may not stick with trying to work with the label. I think it's sick that Americans have reduced Anabaptism to a denomination. So in a way it's the denomination I'm fighting as well as the unpleasant stereotypes I outlined in my post.

Kind people like you encourage me to "press on" in ecumenical effort and postmodern radicalness.

Re: Anabaptist, me?

graham — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 08:50:34 -0000

Hi Art,

Good to see you blogging again.

I wonder, from this post, how much experience you have of non-US and/or Non-historic-anabaptist-denomination-anabaptism you have? I as because much of what you write here simply does not ring true for me. That is, it gives an incomplete picture, at best.

Nevertheless, if the label doesn't work for you, there's nothing sacred about it. I've spoken to a couple of disgruntled Mennonites who said that if they lived in the UK they would be happier identifying as anabaptist. I presume the same is true for other countries, or for groups that are anabaptistic, but not direct descendants (e.g. Quakers and co.).

But I'm rambling now! :-)

Re: Anabaptist, me?

jason77 — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 07:51:09 -0000

oh yes, the sleeping giant! How did he come to sleep in the first place? History gives us a milky white version of the tale, but jaded as I am at times....I think the tale is darker then they let on...

Re: Anabaptist, me?

H Kauffman — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:45:58 -0000

You hit the nail on the head; skipping wide the typical etiquette and protocol as is your (commendable) style. However, the comfy fireside cubicle which you speak of will not be voluntarily (much less enthusiastically) relinquished until something happens. And if/when that happens, I just hope we are all prepared for mass hysteria and many 'a night of disputation that will result. And until that Hysteria comes and completes His task, all our futile conjectures and all our vain pontifications about the misfortune of others will shackle us to hopeless defeat after hopeless defeat. I’m afraid that the A’s are too reluctant to push the envelope and rock the boat in that regard. Too messy. But once the ferret does come out of his hole, the throes of winter will be very unforgiving concerning him. I almost wish I could help him: give him food, shelter, and warm him up, and give him some books on how to smile. Almost. But then I realize that the inevitable must come to pass and the sleeping giant must first fall and rupture his skull on the sidewalk and come to his senses, before anything else can be done for him. Only by God's scandalous grace can the A’s keep stumbling forward. Heavenward.

Re: Anabaptist, me?

jason77 — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 08:13:47 -0000

Glad to see this blog up and active! I too am very wary of labels and denominationalism. I simply view myself as a pilgrim or Christ follower...to me that concept alone is weighty enough to ponder on