What should Anabaptists (and Protestants) learn from this scholar who stayed with the Catholic church? Why did Erasmus refuse to leave his church? Stephen Russell tells about the life, writings, and convictions of Desiderius Erasmus.
Looking at one man like this, Erasmus, who did not become a protestant and did not become an Anabaptist and yet greatly shaped both: I think it should help us realize we need to try to understand history, understand people where they were, and see how that can help us understand our own roots and understand where we are today.
Read Erasmus’ and Luther’s discourse on the will: https://amzn.to/2VokF7x
As a youth, Stephen Russell was politically active in the pro-life movement. As he grew in his understanding of life and Christ, he recognized that speaking to the heart was more effective than changing political policy.
“If I impose a Christian morality on others, I haven’t really helped them move forward in their own lives.”
I live in a country where voting is mandatory, is it okay to vote? Why don’t Anabaptists just call themselves “Early Church”? Today Jaran Miller, Reagan Schrock, and Marlin Sommers respond to questions from our audience.
Jaran, Reagan, and Marlin are all on the Anabaptist Perspectives administrative team.
I live in a country where voting is mandatory, is it okay to vote? Why don’t Anabaptists just call themselves “Early Church”? Today Jaran Miller, Reagan Schrock, and Marlin Sommers respond to questions from our audience.
Jaran, Reagan, and Marlin are all on the Anabaptist Perspectives administrative team.
How can higher education strengthen one’s faith? What about going to college leads people away from Christ? Vince Beiler discusses how his education interacts with his faith. Vince asks, “[W]hen Christians who join academia become agnostic, is the problem with the Christian or with the organization they entered?
What is the Christian response to the trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin? What does real justice for George Floyd look like? How should the Church help to fix racism? Zack Johnson discusses ideal justice. The Christian’s hope is in total love for God and humans.
Zachary Johnson serves as Dean of Students at Sattler College. He formerly worked for the US Air force before receiving honorable discharge as a conscientious objector.
What is it like to live closely with Christians from a different culture? Daniel shares stories of his interaction with the Chinese church. His faith was challenged and he saw the need to accept the simple interpretation of the Bible.
It is impossible to live without tradition. How can we minimize the liabilities? How can we use tradition for our benefit?
“The most destructive traditions that are there claim not to be traditions. Our job is many times to excavate a little bit behind and say, ‘Well, there is actually continuity here. This is a tradition too: here are the strengths, here are the liabilities.”
This is the final episode of a three-part series with Kyle Stoltzfus about tradition and heritage. Consider listening to episodes 127 and 129 first.
What is the importance of knowing Hebrew? Why would one go to Cambridge to study language? Vince Beiler explains how understanding the original languages of the Bible helps us to understand it better.
“So much [of] what you see in the Hebrew Bible is an open ended discussion, an invitation to think about something on a much deeper level.”
Does being human require tradition? What are examples of tradition in Scripture? Kyle Stoltzfus explains the necessity of tradition in Christianity.
“This is about benefiting from, appreciating, and participating in a cultural legacy larger than oneself. The central burden is that we are recipients of spiritual and moral wealth. We can respond in a variety of ways to this: indulgently, critically, or constructively.”
This is the second part of a three-part series with Kyle. Consider listening to episode 127 if you have not already.
Music: "The Basket" by Blue Dot Sessions
Daniel felt God’s call to serve in China. While planting churches in China, he started applying parts of the Bible that are frequently associated with Anabaptism. Listen to Daniel’s encouraging journey of being sold out to Christ and his work.
In an upcoming episode Daniel shares more stories of the Chinese church.
We all have a cultural heritage. How does it affect us? What are right ways to view our heritage? Kyle Stoltzfus wants us to recognize traditions that are helpful and essential in Christian living.
“When we build with heritage, we recognize tools that we have been handed. We learn to exercise ourselves and apply ourselves to the tools that we actually have in our hands.”
In future episodes, Kyle will expand on understanding our heritage and legacy.
What are benefits of having intellectual pursuits? What are some of the challenges that come along with focusing on the intellect? Michael Hochstetler talks about the process he went through trying to balance attentiveness to the intellect, emotions, and spirit. He encourages those with intellectual interests to reach out and to show interest in those with less intellectual interests.
“Do I want people to say [about me], ‘That guy was really smart’ or do I want people to say, ‘He loved God. He loved people.”
Michael is a counselor at Life Ministries in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
How is Christianity distinct from world religions? What does Anabaptism add to Christendom? Stephen Russell discusses two ways that Christianity is different than world religions: entry by choice and separation from governments. He considers how the early church, early Anabaptists, and the church today view these topics. Stephen also discusses the importance of Christian community.
How can we study the Bible with those who do not have a Christian background? Which parts of the scriptures do these people find the hardest to understand? Ernest Eby, from State College Pennsylvania, shares his experience helping others understand the Bible.
"If people can tell that you care, they are going to be more open to Bible studies and they are going to be more likely to become part of the church. If people sense that you view them as a project, and all you want to do is convert them, they will quickly lose interest."
How does studying science challenge a Christian’s faith? In what ways do conservative Anabaptists tend to view science wrongly? In this episode, John Mark Kuhns discusses how higher education and the study of science affected his faith in God. John Mark encourages us to correctly understand how science works to find truth. This episode is the second part of an interview with John Mark.