“Be not conformed….”: Mennonite Traditions

In a recent conversation with a friend I came to some conclusions about Mennonite traditions that have to do with separation from the world. The key verse which Mennonites base most of their nonconformity on is of course Rom. 12:2. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” There is some grounds on which to argue that the “conformed” is not talking about, or at least not primarily about physical things. My goal here is not to address the depths of this verse, so I will go on.

Mennonites have tended to say that since we should not be conformed, we should look different, act different, and speak different. I agree that we should not look, act, or speak in a sinful way, but let us be careful that we do not say things are wrong that are not wrong. I agree that we should not dress in a way that looks like a satanist, but does the Bible condemn certain kinds of clothes other than those that are immodest, that demonstrate pride, or that identify us with sin? I agree that we should not dwell on music that is evil and that glorifies sin, but does the Bible condemn instruments? These are just a few examples, but I think they demonstrate the point I am trying to make. Conservative Mennonites have tended to define what is evil and what is not simply because the rest of the world does it. They have tended to define many things that the rest of the world does as evil simply because it is “like them”. We need to be careful what we label sin and what conservative Mennonite tradition has said is good. It may be good for some, but is it necessary for all?

Some have argued that it does not matter that our traditions make it difficult for others to join our churches. They say we should not patronize sinners. If they are serious they will come. I agree that we should not remove Scriptural commands to make it easy for others to join our church, but there is a New Testament precedent for removing unnecessary traditions to make it easier for others to join. The whole point of Paul’s presentation to the Jerusalem Council was that the Mosaic law was not part of the Gospel and that it should not be required of converts. Acts 15:10 “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” If it is helpful for you to continue in the Conservative Mennonite traditions, continue practicing them with my blessing, I hold to quite a few myself. Let’s avoid preaching a gospel that is not Christ’s and requiring heavy yokes that are not a necessary part of His Kingdom.

Culture and Scriptural Commands

P.(pre)S.-I spend the 22-26 traveling to, at, and from Atlanta Georgia for the International Woodworking and Furnituremaking Show. I had a good time, an amazing hotel (indoor/outdoor swimming pool, suana, dry suana, 48 floors, glass elevators), and no internet. I am back and at lunch today I struck upon this cognition.

Most problems between Mennonites could be solved if we could come to an agreement on what is culture, what is Scriptural commands, and what is culture that is so good that it should be kept even if it is not a command. Much of the disagreements between Mennonites which cause church splits, build relational walls, and cause an inability to cooperate in Kingdom work are caused by the struggle between culture and Scriptural commands and where the two start, stop, and overlap. I do have opinions about where these lines are. I will not state them here. I will ask some questions and would appreciate your responses. If you respond I will answer anything you ask me. I do not wish to spout opinions outside of dialog because they may be misunderstood and only be a catalyst for distracting argumentation.

What are the commands of Scripture?

What are the statements in Scripture which only apply to New Testament civilizations?

What are the areas of conservative Mennonite culture that are not Scriptural commands?

What are the areas of conservative Mennonite culture that are not Scriptural commands, but should be practiced by all Christians?

How much should the good things of Mennonite culture be an issue in hindering fellowship and cooperation with others?

How do we handle other Mennonites who value Mennonite culture to a greater or lesser degree than we do?

What parts of Mennonite culture are very good for Mennonites, but are not necessarily helpful for most potential converts?

What important questions have I missed and who has all the answers?

Drop in a Bucket

I was recently talking to a man in charge of a children’s ministry in Lancaster City. He told me that there are three Mennonite groups doing children’s ministries in the city, but the city is by no means covered. My speeding mind came to an abrupt halt as that thought penetrated my central processing unit. Lancaster is a very small city. It is only the eigth largest city in Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia there are far fewer children’s ministries per capita. In most other cities of the world there are fewer or none. Think of all the children that know nothing of the Kingdom of God. Add to that all the teens, adults, and elderly who do not either. There may be some of these who have heard of Jesus, but that is not enough. We need tell and show these people what it means to be a part of the Kingdom. We cannot be content with handing out tracts. The Gospel needs to be communicated through relationship. Paul went to places and preached, but when he was done preaching he stayed for a year or so to show them how to live. We need to go to our neighbors, our coworkers, our nearby cities, and the many other places where no one is bringing the presense of the Kingdom. We need to build relationships that allow others to see what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We need to be a light in our area, even if it is small. Every life is significant. Even Jesus, while on earth, only established, at most a few hundred followers in a space of several hundred square miles. It is the nature of the Kingdom to grow by each person doing their individual part. Together the Body can make a mighty force changing our cities and the world from the hearts of individuals out.

Personal Nonresistance=Death to Self

Anabaptists frequently talk about nonresistance and how that is to influence our interaction with our democratic society. We consider how we are to be impacting society and how to use change the world, not by force and coercion, but by love. We talk about the war in Iraq and abortion and the poor and other very relevant and important areas and try to decide how we as members of the Kingdom of God are to respond, how we are to bring our weapon of love into the fray.

I have recently been considering a more personal and more painful aspect of nonresistance, me and my relationships with people. How do I come across to them? Am I filled with love? Do they experience a complete lack of selfish resistance from me? When I share my beliefs, do they see them not as me pushing my agenda, but the Word of God lovingly communicated through me? Does my nonresistance extend into my personal life? Am I completely dead to myself and my pride so that I feel no compulsion or need to defend myself?

Finding Balance

It is important to try to figure out what one believes. It is important to study the Scripture. But both of these can very easily become a self-satisfying excuse for doing one of the few, and most important, commands given by Jesus. ”Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Jesus did not give a lot of commands, but most of them revolve around two theme: loving God and loving others. All too often we get caught up in figuring out the details of our theology and how the next guy wears the wrong kind of suit, and we fail to expend energy and time calling people into relationship with Jesus. Is someone’s belief about the holy kiss or head veiling type or even head veiling worthy of taking all our time and efforts while our neighbors and coworkers are living outside of the joy of Christ?

Kingdom Greatness

“Now he (Christ) knew that his hour was drawing near, and insisted on washing the others’ feet, showing them once more that every act of true humility is a sort of grace whereby the soul grows as the will, or ego, diminishes. Whosoever would be great in this world,…, is small; and whoever, through his sense of God’s greatness, realises his own smallness, becomes spiritually great.” Malcolm Muggeridge from Jesus Rediscovered

So foolish to this world, so like our Lord’s backward Kingdom. We get very content with the cliches, but if you really stop and think about it, the whole greatness equals smallness thing is almost funny, yet its true.

The Only Way to Truly Accomplish Good in the World is With a Truly Good Weapon

A difficulty that has hounded Christians for many centuries has been determining what power is right to be used by the Church and what power is right to be used by the government. Along with this are questions of church and government relationships. I have come to believe firmly that the Church is not to use the same powers as the government to gain victory over its opponent. It is not my intent here to give a detailed defense of non-resistance. Rather to consider what power and weapons God has given to the State and what to the Church.

Jesus told Herod very clearly that His Kingdom was not of this world. His Kingdom was of a different world, and it uses a different weapon. Jesus stated that if His Kingdom were of this world, His followers would fight. But since His followers were not of this world, they used a different kind of weapon. I am going to continue as though this point is verified because this is not the point I wish to advance here.

The struggle for Christians has been what to do with the weapons of the state. If it is bad for the Church to use weapons of the sword or of coercion, is it bad for the state to do so as well? Many Christians seem to think so and they attempt to force the government to stop using the sword to punish evildoers by using another form of coercion, protesting. They hold forward that the government should not use violence, or at least should use it very sparingly. I find in Scripture that the government has been used by God as a mechanism to maintain life and social order in a sinful world. He uses the State and its use of the sword for good. Many people look at this and say, “Great, God ordains the state as His minister and it is used to accomplish good, and therefore, I can be a part of this.” The problem with this is that even though God is using the sword to accomplish good, He does not condone its use by men. It is an instrument of death and God is to be the one who gives and takes life. God is an expert at taking that which is not good and using it for good. Killing and death are not good, still God takes this evil and uses it to accomplish good on earth (The punishment of criminals).

One reason the Church is not to use this weapon of coercion is that the weapon is still a weapon of coercion and the death it causes is associated with the fall no matter how much good it does. Instead the Church is to use a weapon that is good and they are to use it to accomplish good. The weapon of the Church is love. This weapon seems weak and insignificant when compared to the illusion of power that comes from holding a sword or gun in your hand, but over and over the gun and the sword have been conquered by the power of love. Love is the weapon of the Kingdom and it the only way to truly accomplish good is by using a truly good tool.

(Scriptural base is Romans 13 and Jesus discussion with Herod in John 18.)

P.S.-I apologize for not informing ya’ll of my plans to visit South Carolina for a week. I did this and had no internet there. I am back with a good tan and a new post.