For hundreds of years, the Middle East was home to a thriving church network. Who were these people? What can we learn from them? Lucas Hilty explains a largely forgotten piece of the church’s history, and brings out lessons for us today. The Patient Ferment of the Early Church This is the 219th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.  Sign-up for our monthly email newsletter which...

Roseanne Bauman offers a definition of forgiveness, looks at an example of forgiveness from the Bible, and speaks about her own story of forgiveness. Forgiveness requires a commitment to not dwell on the injury mentally, to not bring it up and accuse the other person with it ever again, and to not gossip about it. This commitment must be chosen over and over again. Roseanne’s previous episodes: What if My Friend is Abused? Responding to Abuse: Past and Present This is the 218th episode of...

In the West, we have abundant access to the Bible. But in many parts of the world, believers and sometimes even pastors don’t have access to God’s Word. Tony High shares about the power of the Scriptures in places that don’t have access to it, and how the Bible is so transformative in the lives of those that read it. Tony High is director of Heralds of Hope Ministries Training2Send was mentioned, and how they are shipping English Bibles to believers in West Africa. If you have Bibles you...

John Coblentz writes, “The church in its current state is not always glorious to us. We are still imperfect - our music is at times off-key, our theology is at times wide of the mark, and our interactions with each other fall short of the love we profess.” John encourages us to see what God wants to do and to work for the broader church, even in the face of difficulty, failed or abusive relationships, and the inherent tendency to shrink our associations to those like us. John talks about...

We’re seeing growing conflict once again in the Middle East, with America and its allies getting more involved. How should we be thinking about it? How do we avoid the temptation to take sides and think of this in patriotic terms of “our” country beating the “enemy”? Stephen Russell shares how he came to believe in nonresistance, and principles for how the Anabaptist people should be thinking about politics, war, and foreign policy. Instead of trusting in worldly nations, we should be...

God’s Assembly (”Church”), says John Coblentz, is to show God’s glory, not just to people but to the principalities and powers. We should see local churches within the bigger picture of what God is doing in gathering a people. John shares the pain he has felt over division in the church and ways he has purposed to walk in unity. An Anabaptist View of Church - Val Yoder John Coblentz’s devotional commentary on Ephesians This is the 214th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and...

This is the xxxth episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.  Sign-up for our monthly email newsletter which contains new and featured content! Join us on Patreon or become a website partner to enjoy bonus content! Visit our YouTube channel or connect on Facebook. Read essays from our blog or listen to them on our podcast, Essays for King Jesus Subscribe on your podcast provider of...

This is a lecture that was recorded at a ministry training event. David Bercot focused on how to explain the Trinity to those who are not Christians. Watch David's episode on how he was once a Jehovah’s Witness Bercot’s further teaching on the Trinity The history and full text of the Nicene Creed Bercot’s episode on Infant Baptism This is the 213th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and...

How should we view the current nation of Israel, and how does it relate to the church today? Paul Lamicela takes us through Scripture to explain how we should relate to the current Israeli nation, Jesus as the King of Israel, how this connects with prophecy, Zionism, and much more. Sign-up for our monthly email newsletter which contains new and featured content! Join us on Patreon or become a website partner to enjoy bonus content! Visit our YouTube channel or connect on Facebook. Read...

How should we read the Book of Revelation? What is apocalyptic literature, and how does the first century context help us better understand this book? And what is the Mark of the Beast? Paul Lamicela answers these questions and much more in this interview. Paul’s website Paul’s Episode about Galatians Paul’s Episode about Biblical Storyline This is the 211th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life...

Samantha shares the tidbits and quirks that surprised her in joining the Mennonite world. What are some of the unexpected cultural elements within the Mennonite church that are often confusing to those coming from the outside? For example, what is the Mennonite game? Why do Mennonites often play harmonicas and accordions? What’s with the prevalence of Mennonite choirs and singing groups? Is "Mennonite" a Faith Culture or an Ethnic Culture? Samantha’s Testimony This is the 210th episode of...

David Bercot explains why he was an Anglican priest, why apostolic succession was initially convincing, and how he ultimately left and joined the Anabaptists. What is it about the High Church traditions that are appealing? How does this fit with the teachings of the Ante-Nicene fathers, and are the Anabaptists correct in their interpretation of the early church writings? Scroll Publishing Bercot’s series on infant baptism. Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs. Bercot's Episode: I Was Once A...

The Anabaptist movement began and continues to have high ideals. Often the people who are attracted also have high ideals. Samantha speaks from her experience as one who did not grow up among Mennonites and the challenges of joining the Mennonite church. Samantha’s Testimony The Inner Ring by C. S. Lewis This is the 208th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.  Sign-up for our monthly...

Who is Jesus? Dale Eby reviews basic historical claims most scholars would agree on whether or not they are believers. He presses into the question of what it means to know the risen Christ. This is the 207th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.  Sign-up for our monthly email newsletter which contains new and featured content! Join us on Patreon or become a website partner to enjoy...

Amata Thomas, a bishop for Christian Believers Fellowship, discusses how business and finance training can integrate with discipleship and evangelism. He explains how Open Hands, the ministry that he works for, coordinates savings groups where participants support each other in completing a training program that moves trainees away from financial vulnerability, exposes them more deeply to Christ and his word, and encourages restoration of four fundamental relationships: God, others, self, and...

In this roundtable conversation, Reagan, Marlin, and Kyle discuss artificial intelligence, what that means for life in the church, and to live well in a world of AI generated content and conversations. Is AI actually intelligent? How is it helpful? What are the implications for future human interactions, and how is this technology a risk to humanity? Our previous series on the internet, algorithms, and proper use of technology: Software and the Heart: Internet Filtering and Accountability Why...

There are signs of impending death. How can we live the vision? Chester Weaver shares threats to the Christian vitality of Anabaptism and calls us to steady faithfulness. Harold Bender books Mennonite Experience in America Series Smith’s Story of the Mennonites 5th edition - C Henry Smith Introduction of Mennonite History - Cornelius Dyck This is the 204th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and...

Jesus appealed to prophecies and to his “works” do call people to faith in him. Peter and Paul used apologetic methods suited for their audiences. Daniel Yoder thoughtfully introduces a few topics and methods of Christian apologetics (from the Greek apologia, “defense, answer”) and defends the importance of this mode of thinking for strengthening believers and for engaging with unbelievers. While Anabaptists may have invested less in formal apologetics than some other traditions, the early...

What should a business owner do when your customers try to take advantage and cheat you? Gary Schrock started a business building roof and floor systems in 2006 and tells of his experiences working with difficult customers, how to respond when people cheat and steal from us, and how to be honest even when that is costly. Kevin Brechbill - Business That Serves the Kingdom This is the 202nd episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects...

Sister Judy was converted at 26. She shares her Christian life story. Why does she wear a habit? What has she learned from varied church settings? Sister Judy encourages us to find deeper life in Christ and fellowship with the fellow-disciples he brings to us. Access the Martyr’s Mirror online Access the Ante-Nicene Fathers online See all our episodes with David Bercot View Brother Bercot’s “An Anabaptist View of Salvation” on YouTube This is the 201st episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a...

{Note: Tuesday Nov. 28 is the Annual Giving Tuesday event. Your Giving Tuesday donations help support our remaining income budget need for 2023. For our part of Giving Tuesday, all Partner bonus content is freely available on our website from now till Giving Tuesday. This material is normally exclusive to our monthly donors. https://anabaptistperspectives.org/partners/. } Anabaptism has grown far beyond its European and North American past. Amata Thomas recounts the growth of the Mennonite...

Integration into a new church community does not happen automatically and often comes with difficulty. What does it take to successfully put deep roots into a new community? Melvin Lehman brings pastoral experience to questions from audience members and asks us to remember that participating in strong communities come at a price. Though building communities that is both strong and welcoming comes with challenges, Melvin encourages us to embrace the task. This is the 199th episode of...

To preach is to explain the Scripture and apply it to the life of the hearer. Paul Emerson calls those preaching to study, to pray, and to present the results simply so Scripture can speak to the listener. Paul gives guidance on Bible study and Greek and Hebrew that are useful to anyone, preacher or not. Getting Ready to Share from Scripture Episode — Verlon Miller The Inside-Out Sandwich Episode — Marlin Sommers The Inside-Out Sandwich Essay — Marlin Sommers Studying the Word of God Essay —...

God can bring redemption after abortion. Dale Eby speaks from his many conversations with women (and occasionally the men involved) who are considering abortion, feel pressured toward abortion, or who have had an abortion. This is the 197th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.  Sign-up for our monthly email newsletter which contains new and featured content! Join us on Patreon or...

Suffering, from a worldly perspective, is meaningless. Dale Eby walks us through perspectives on suffering and redemption while acknowledging the hard realities that we don’t know how to respond to. What is the cause of suffering? How does God use it in our lives? What is the Christian’s ultimate hope with regard to suffering? This is the 196th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and...