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The Anabaptists (whose descendants are Mennonites, Hutterites, and Amish), the Quakers (Friends, Society of), and the Brethren (a movement originating in Germany in the late 17th cent., soon transplanted to Pennsylvania) are the historic peace churches (HPC). While each has a separate theological and historical identity, they share common impulses. Jesus’ teaching of love of enemies and his nonresistant death inspired these believers to do likewise because of their conviction that the Holy Spirit was at work in their lives no less than in the early church. The public and collecti…

1. History The Dutch and German term “Mennists,” used in derision to designate the followers of the Dutch Anabaptist leader Menno Simons (1496–1561), was translated into English as “Mennonites,” which is used in most countries today as their name. Similarly, the term “Anabaptist” was originally one of derision. In the 6th-century Justinian Code “Anabaptist” described dissident religious movements that “rebaptized” people who had received infant baptism. Justinian’s ancient laws against them were invoked against the new dissidents of the 16th century. 1.1. Genesis The origin of…

1. Theology and Ethics 1.1. Term “Force” is a term with many nuances. In the sense of violence it can denote unlawful acts that threaten, harm, or destroy the life or liberty (freedom) of a person (or animal), the property of someone, or social order. It may also be used for the lawful force that a government must have in order to give stability to society. The lack of precision derives from the matter itself and is reflected in Greek and Latin as well as English, French, and German. In using the term…