In 2010, the Lutheran World Federation assembly requested forgiveness for having persecuted Anabaptists in the sixteenth century. The Mennonite World Conference representatives did indeed offer that forgiveness on behalf of Anabaptists. What led to this event?
The Roots of the Lutheran Protestant Reformation
The Roman Catholic Church had a near monopoly on the Christian religion throughout Europe from its origins in the Roman empire until several opponents emerged in the 1400s and 1500s.
Martin Luther had been a Catholic monk and priest, earning a Doctor of Theology degree from the University of Wittenberg. He published his "95 Theses" on Oct. 31, 1517 by nailing the document to the church door in Wittenberg. His primary target was the sale of "indulgences", which when purchased aided in the forgiveness of certain sins.
Luther was not the first to publicly disagree with current Catholic practices, but his action received a great deal of attention. In 1521, Luther formally asserted his beliefs and was condemned by Emperor Charles the Fifth. Regardless of his legal status in the Holy Roman Empire, until his death in 1546, Luther continued studying, writing and preaching.
From the beginning, Luther's actions had political ramifications. After being condemned in 1521, he came under the protection of the Elector of Saxony. In 1523, his "Of Earthly Government" treatise supported the theory of secular authority.
In the Peasants' War of 1524, the rebels claimed support from the writings of several Reformers, including Luther. However, he then published views against rebellion and against the violence that war entails.
By 1532, Protestants gained official tolerance, at least in the countries that were not whole-heartedly Roman Catholic.
Luther was not particularly tolerant of those more radical than himself. This include the Anabaptists, who disagreed with Luther both on religious grounds and also in terms of political allegiance.
The Origins of Anabaptism
Other European Christians also disagreed with various Roman Catholic doctrines. One point was that only adult believers should be baptized, when they first confessed their faith in God. This was contrary to the Catholic practice of baptizing infants; a practice strongly endorsed and followed by Martin Luther.
Since the first generation of these "radical Reformers" had been baptized as Catholic infants, their detractors called them Anabaptists, or "repeat baptizers". The first adult baptism was performed around 1525.
Different leaders emerged, particularly in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Most also were pacificists, who would neither defend themselves "with the sword" nor serve in their country's armed forces. Huldrych Zwingli was an exception; he took control of the Swiss canton of Zurich. Some think that Luther's opinion of the Anabaptist threat was a response to the most politically radical leaders.
The term "Mennonite" came from one of the leaders, Menno Simons. Originally a Catholic priest in the Netherlands, Simons joined the Anabaptist movement in the 1530s. Both Martin Luther and Menno Simons were prolific writers and also exercised personal leadership through preaching ministries.
Since most Anabaptists were pacifist, they were heavily persecuted in most Catholic and Protestant countries. Most survived by fleeing to either Russia or North America.
One of the most famous martyrs was Dirk Willemsz. While fleeing across a frozen river, he noticed that his pursuer had broken through the ice. He turned back, saved the other man, and was arrested.
Early Doctrinal Conflict Between Lutherans and Anabaptists
The Swiss Brethren formulated the Schleitheim Confession in 1527 to state their uniquely Anabaptist beliefs, including opposition to military service and infant baptism. Article 1 stated "Baptism shall be given to all who have learned repentance...This excludes all infant baptism, the highest and chief abomination of the Pope".
Article 4 stated that a "separation shall be made from the evil...in the world...civic affairs, the oaths sworn in unbelief...Therefore there will also unquestionably fall from us the unchristian, devilish weapons of force — such as (the) sword".
By 1530, Martin Luther had condemned the doctrine forbidding infant baptism. In the Augsberg Confession of 1530, Article 9 states "One should also baptize children...Rejected, therefore, are the Anabaptists who teach that baptism of children is not right". (Corrected from "Article 19" to "Article 9" on April 4, 2012).
In article 16, the doctrine is that Christians may "exercise political authority...administer justice according to imperial and other existing laws...serve as soldiers...take required oaths".
Doctrinal differences were not accommodated. By 1558, the civil authorities in Lutheran states were given a mandate to actively persecute Anabaptists.
The Mennonite Response to the Lutheran Invitation of 1980
In 1980, the German Lutheran church invited the Mennonite Church to join in celebrating the 450th anniversary of the Augsberg Confession, but were surprised to learn that the Mennonites still identified themselves as Anabaptists. As such, they were condemned by the Augsberg Confession.
The two denominations eventually began a lengthy process to re-acquaint themselves with the doctrinal and historic issues, with a view toward reconciliation. The Lutheran-Mennonite Study Commission formally began working in 2005, and produced its report in 2010.
The reconciliation between the Lutheran church and the Mennonite church took place on July 22, 2010 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Closing Notes about the 2010 Lutheran and Mennonite Reconciliation
Although Mennonite denominations have not repudiated the Schleitheim Confession, several "confessions" have been adopted since then. The 1995 "Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective...", for one, no longer has such polemic phrases as "...the highest and chief abomination..." in the article on baptism.
Both Menno Simons and Martin Luther insisted that the Bible was the only basis for doctrine and religious practices.
During the early decades and centuries of the Reformation era, secular and religious allegiances were matters of life or death. Vigourous debate and grim deeds were easily justified in terms of saving souls for Heaven and maintaining civil order on earth. Intolerance and persecution were virtues when seen in that framework. The reconciliation between Lutherans and Mennonites is part of a new era of religious tolerance.
Updated: Mennonites and Lutherans in the United States
(Updated April 5, 2012): Two denominational conferences in the United States will hold a similar reconciliation event in the spring of 2012. Please see "American Lutherans and Mennonites to Reconcile in 2012" for further details.
References:
- Reimer and Jorgenson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Mennonite Church Canada, "Healing Memories, Reconciling in Christ", 2010, PDF referenced Feb. 3, 2012.
- Byron Rempel-Burkholder, Mennonite Weekly Review, "Lutherans, Anabaptists reconcile", Aug. 2, 2010, referenced Feb. 3, 2012.
- Lutheran World Federation, "Lutherans Take Historic Step in Asking for Forgiveness from Mennonites", July 22, 2010, referenced Feb. 3, 2012.
- "Martin Luther and Bible History", 2008, referenced Feb. 3, 2012.
- Encyclopaedia Brittanica, "Luther, Martin" and "Lutheran Churches", published 1977, referenced Feb. 3, 2012.
Mike DeHaan - Copyright (c) Mike DeHaan, B. Math., of DeHaan Services. Well written and well researched freelance articles; ghost writing for clients.
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