Anabaptism 1525/2025: FIVE Centuries, Five Lectures

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Dr. John Roth spoke about "Restoration or Renewal? Early Anabaptism and its Reformation Context." Although sixteenth-century Anabaptists based their teachings on Scripture and the example of the early church, the Catholic Church and Protestant Reformers alike regarded their ideas as so threatening to social order that they responded with harsh punishments, including the death penalty. This lecture will reflect on the distinctive insights of the Anabaptist movement while also noting its deep debts to medieval Catholicism and the emerging Protestant Reformation.

Dr. Mary Sprunger, Professor of History at Eastern Mennonite University, spoke about "Dutch Mennonites in the City and of the City." Unlike elsewhere in Europe, Mennonites in seventeenth-century Holland were able to participate fully in the economic, social and cultural life of Dutch cities without fear of religious persecution. Despite increasing wealth and accommodation, these prosperous Mennonites contributed greatly to Anabaptist identity and survival by funding migrations to America and producing influential works like the Dordrecht Confession and the Martyrs Mirror.

Elwood Yoder spoke about "Farmers in Search of Land, Renewal, and Religious Freedom." Most eighteenth-century Mennonite families farmed for a living. However, political difficulties, wars, and persecution pushed them to search for new land for large families. They found increased tolerance for their beliefs, though many migrated to Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ontario, Poland, Prussia, and Ukrainian Russia in the eighteenth century. Mennonites became known for innovations in agricultural methods and increased productivity. An Amish division took place in the early eighteenth century.  Amish and Mennonites sought to renew their faith, find religious freedom, and settle on fertile land where they could farm and prosper. 

Caleb Schrock-Hurst spoke about  "Migration, Modernization, and Mission." Nineteenth-century Mennonites worldwide grappled with the realities of technological and social innovation, which presented new challenges and opportunities to cohesion and faithfulness. The rise of modern nationalism and various technological developments led to significant migrations and divisions, setting the stage for global Anabaptist growth in the twentieth century. 

Caleb Schrock-Hurst has served on the staff of the Virginia Mennonite Conference and earned a  Master of Arts in Religion at Eastern Mennonite Seminary.  He and his wife, Stephanie, intend to serve with the Mennonite Mission Network in Taiwan beginning sometime in 2025.

Dr. Andrew Suderman, Associate Professor in Theology, Peace and Mission at EMU, spoke about "Anabaptism Today: Being Reminded of an Anabaptist Vision."  Throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, the  Anabaptist movement has become a global phenomenon. The majority of those who call themselves Anabaptists are no longer in the North Atlantic region; the majority are in the majority world.  This truly global perspective, and the contexts from which it arises,  has challenged – and continues to challenge – the North Atlantic-centric character that has largely been seen as normative regarding an “Anabaptist identity.” Yet, this global movement continues to offer and remind those of the North Atlantic of an  Anabaptist vision and the contribution it provides in and for the world.

Along with his work at EMU, Dr. Suderman is the Director of Global Partnerships at Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite World Conference's Peace Commission Secretary.

This lecture series was sponsored by the Shenandoah Mennonite Historians, planned by Caleb Schrock-Hurst and Elwood Yoder, and partially funded by the Kennel-Charles Lecture Series at Eastern Mennonite School.

 This lecture series was a grassroots collaboration by historians, theologians, and church leaders to mark the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism. All who are interested in the Reformation, the history of Anabaptism and Mennonites, and the Anabaptist churches today are welcome. 

The Shenandoah Mennonite Historians have promoted the study, interest, and awareness of Mennonite History since 1993. They conduct tours, hold an annual meeting, and produce a quarterly journal called Shenandoah Mennonite Historian. The Historian officers who endorsed this lecture series are Jim Hershberger, Chair; EMU Professor Emeritus of History, Gerald Brunk; Jim Rush; Gary Smucker; Norman Wenger; and Elwood Yoder.