CHURCH: History and Today June 2

Good morning again, and welcome to the second last adult SS class this spring! We have covered a lot of ground in this class, and today marks the final chapter about Mennonites. Last week we looked at the Mennonites in this area. I should also mention that there were large migrations of Mennonites to western Canada, with large communities in Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. But today we want to look at Mennonite movement in Latin America and then talk a little bit about the Baptists. We wanted to see how different churches in the Pembina Valley got here, and while most of them are Mennonite churches, there are some other ones that we have lightly touched on and others that we will touch on.

When we talk about Latin America, we are basically talking about everything south of the US. This is because most of the countries there speak Spanish or Portuguese, which originate from Latin. The first group to move from North America to Latin America were Old Colony and Sommerfelder Mennonites from Manitoba and Saskatchewan. “Both groups felt threatened by a new law passed by the Manitoba legislature in 1915 providing for provincial control of education and the use of the English language in all schools. They considered this law to be a violation of the promises given to their fathers when they first came from Russian in 1874. The loss of German meant to them the gradual loss of their Mennonite faith and culture through assimilation into the Canadian environment.” (Dyck, 322).

What have Mennonites in Canada lost as a result of changing Canadian culture? How do our language and culture relate to our faith?

Because of these new laws, scouting parties were sent out to find the best new home, and the team recommended Mexico. So from 1922 to 1926 thousands left for Mexico. Most of them settled in Chihuahua, with others settling farther south in Durango. In 1948 another migration happened, including about 100 Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites (they did not take on the name change to EMC). By 1950, there were about 50,000 Mennonites in Mexico in the late 1980’s, even though there were large movements out of Mexico farther south! Most of these would be part of the Old Colony Church, although there are some other denominations present. A General Conference church was established in Cuauhtemoc by Mennonites from Russia who couldn’t come into Canada in 1929-30. There is also a Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Church in Mexico as well.

In the 1950’s there was a drought in Mexico that led to several hundred people moving back to Canada, and in 1958 there were several communities started in Belize.

In 1926 there were also many who left from Canada to Paraguay. The first of these left Altona, MB. Others from Russia joined them and settled nearby. The first settlements in Paraguay are in the region now called the Chaco. The Russian Mennonites wanted to settle in NA, but neither the US or Canada would take them in, so the moved to Paraguay. Because life was very difficult at times some of these families moved farther east and established the first colony in East Paraguay. After WWII more families came from Europe and settled in both Chaco and East Paraguay. And finally, in 1948 another group came from North America to settle in the colonies to preserve their religious and cultural freedom.

Though difficult at first, most of these colonies have prospered. They established their own schools and churches. While some communities are more conservative, many are influenced by European standards, and thus have a strong education system and teacher’s training program. Many of the churches have an active Sunday, prayer meeting and Bible study program. They are very active in missions to the native Paraguayan population. In 1990 there were over 16,000 baptized members of Mennonite churches in Paraguay. There are also several thousand Mennonites in Brazil, who are under the state-run school program, thus there are several excellent schools among the Mennonites there. There is also a Bible Institute which was established by the MB Churches of South America. They have also started a relief aid program for helping with the immense poverty in the country. They help in city slums and in child-care programs, combining their strong evangelical focus with their actions.

What are some ways that we in Canada help with humanitarian efforts? What are some areas in which we could improve?

In Brazil

In 1948 there were 750 Mennonites moved from Europe (I believe it was Prussia) to Uruguay. In 1986 there were less than 1,000 Mennonites in Uruguay, but they did establish a seminary in 1956. However, it closed, and theological training was continued in Asuncion, Paraguay where Uruguayan students could study.

There are many missionary programs among North American Mennonite congregations in Latin America, including outreach programs in Argentina, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica, Cuba, and more. From what I found, the total number of Mennonites today (not just ethnic Mennonites) is approximately 2.1 million.

In the 1500’s the first Anabaptists did not emphasize missions very much, but today there are Anabaptist missionary programs around the world. How did Mennonites get such a strong missionary focus?

Early Anabaptists believed that the teachings of Jesus should be taken literally. It is still clear today that among some this has led to a severe legalism. While there are some negatives, how has this belief shaped Anabaptism positively?

Before we go further, what do we know about the Baptists, including how they came about and their beliefs?

To talk about the Baptists we need to do a VERY short summary of the reformation in England. Rewind your brains to the 1500’s again. Martin Luther has just done his thing and news about him and like-minded people is spreading. These ideas reach the ears of the King of England, Henry VIII. He had open ears to these ideas because he didn’t like the Pope, since the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Spain. Since the Pope would not help Henry took matters into his own hands. He changed laws and reinstated ancient laws as the first step to his break with Rome. There were already a number of people in England who were advocating change in the church, so Henry worked with them. So while many of those involved with the English Reformation were sincere in their desire for something better in church life and practice, King Henry VIII had no sympathy for Protestantism. For him it was a political move above all others. He actually seemed to agree with Catholic practices for the most part.

Fast forward a few years. Mary Tudor, the daughter of Henry’s annulled marriage, has become queen. She is very anti-Protestant, and thus turns against all the Protestant changes that have come about in the last few years, and she comes to be known as ‘Bloody Mary.’

In 1558 Mary died, leaving the throne to her half-sister, Queen Elizabeth. Under her leadership much of what is part of the Anglican tradition came into being. She and the church leaders brought about the final break of the Church in England with the Church in Rome. And so, many of the theological teachings of the Anglican church mirror very closely those of the Reformers on mainland Europe. However, they blended the teachings of the Reformers with the practices and liturgy of the Catholic church. It was kind of a ‘middle ground,’ a theology that most of the people in England could live with instead of being heavily influenced by only one group.

What are some benefits of trying to appease a large number of people in terms of theology? What are the drawbacks?

In 1558 Mary died, leaving the throne to her half-sister, Queen Elizabeth. Under her leadership much of what is part of the Anglican tradition came into being. She and the church leaders brought about the final break of the Church in England with the Church in Rome. And so, many of the theological teachings of the Anglican church mirror very closely those of the Reformers on mainland Europe. However, they blended the teachings of the Reformers with the practices and liturgy of the Catholic church. It was kind of a ‘middle ground,’ a theology that most of the people in England could live with instead of being heavily influenced by only one group.

However. There were still many people in England who didn’t think that the Church of England was going far enough in its break with Rome. They weren’t organized in a specific body, and they didn’t agree with each other on how far these changes should go. But all of them were given the name “Puritans,” since they all wanted to purify the church. Many of them wanted to get rid of most of the traditional elements of church service, and they opposed drunkenness very strongly (although they were comfortable with responsible use of alcohol). “They also insisted on the need for a sober life, guided by the commandments of Scripture, and lacking in luxury and ostentation.” (Gonzalez, 194). Some also declared that churches should each be independent of all others, and were called “Independents.”

What are some benefits of trying to appease a large number of people in terms of theology? What are the drawbacks?

This is where the Baptists come in. One of they key leaders was a man named John Smyth (1554-1612). He was an Anglican priest who eventually decided that the Anglican church had not gone far enough in their reforms. Because of this he moved to Amsterdam. “Partly through his study of Scripture, and partly through contact with the Mennonites - whose pacifism and refusal to take oaths he adopted - he eventually became convinced that infant baptism is not valid, and therefore proceeded first to baptize himself with a bucket and a ladle, by pouring water over his head, and then to baptize his followers - for which his critics dubbed him “the self-baptizer.” (Gonzalez, 195) Through disagreement with a fellow Baptist, Thomas Helwys, Helwys moved back to England with his followers and started the first Baptist church in England. Baptists generally came to be known in two major camps, the General Baptists and the Particular Baptists. This is because the General Baptists followed a more Arminian doctrine of salvation, which taught that salvation was generally available to all, while the Particular Baptists took a more Calvinist view, that only the predestined would be saved.

However. There were still many people in England who didn’t think that the Church of England was going far enough in its break with Rome. They weren’t organized in a specific body, and they didn’t agree with each other on how far these changes should go. But all of them were given the name “Puritans,” since they all wanted to purify the church. Many of them wanted to get rid of most of the traditional elements of church service, and they opposed drunkenness very strongly (although they were comfortable with responsible use of alcohol). “They also insisted on the need for a sober life, guided by the commandments of Scripture, and lacking in luxury and ostentation.” (Gonzalez, 194). Some also declared that churches should each be independent of all others, and were called “Independents.”

After a drawn-out civil war between the traditionalist Anglican side and the Puritan side, the Puritans came out on top

In 1607 the first successful British colonization of North America started. While it started out fairly Puritan in nature, Puritan influence there eventually waned. While Baptist influence spread across the Thirteen Colonies, as they were then known, they had their first strongest influence in Rhode Island. We talked about the General and Particular Baptists a bit earlier, and both of these Baptist groups also came to North America… some followed the Arminianism of the General Baptists, and others the Calvinism of the Particular Baptists. The Baptist movement spread throughout the colonies, even though its followers were persecuted in several of them. Entire congregations were expelled from Massachusetts. This did not suffice to stop the supposed contagion…Baptist groups surfaced in every colony.

This is where the Baptists come in. One of they key leaders was a man named John Smyth (1554-1612). He was an Anglican priest who eventually decided that the Anglican church had not gone far enough in their reforms. Because of this he moved to Amsterdam. “Partly through his study of Scripture, and partly through contact with the Mennonites - whose pacifism and refusal to take oaths he adopted - he eventually became convinced that infant baptism is not valid, and therefore proceeded first to baptize himself with a bucket and a ladle, by pouring water over his head, and then to baptize his followers - for which his critics dubbed him “the self-baptizer.” (Gonzalez, 195) Through disagreement with a fellow Baptist, Thomas Helwys, Helwys moved back to England with his followers and started the first Baptist church in England. Baptists generally came to be known in two major camps, the General Baptists and the Particular Baptists. This is because the General Baptists followed a more Arminian doctrine of salvation, which taught that salvation was generally available to all, while the Particular Baptists took a more Calvinist view, that only the predestined would be saved.

In the 1700’s the Great Awakening took place. It began with a pastor named Jonathan Edwards, who believed strongly in the need for a personal experience of conversion. His sermons and messages gained a response that surprised even him. “In that year of 1734, people began responding to his sermons, some with emotional outbursts, but many with a remarkable change in their lives, and with increased attention to devotional practices.” (Gonzalez, 288) Other pastors followed in the years to come, continuing the movement. Many accused these pastors of “undermining the solemnity of worship, and of substituting emotion for study and devotion.” (Gonzalez, 289)

What roles do emotion and study play in worship? How do we balance our emotions and the need for serious study in our worship times?

At first

In 1607 the first successful British colonization of North America started. While it started out fairly Puritan in nature, Puritan influence there eventually waned. While Baptist influence spread across the Thirteen Colonies, as they were then known, they had their first strongest influence in Rhode Island. We talked about the General and Particular Baptists a bit earlier, and both of these Baptist groups also came to North America… some followed the Arminianism of the General Baptists, and others the Calvinism of the Particular Baptists. The Baptist movement spread throughout the colonies, even though its followers were persecuted in several of them. Entire congregations were expelled from Massachusetts. This did not suffice to stop the supposed contagion…Baptist groups surfaced in every colony.

At the beginning, it was mostly Congregationalists and Presbyterians (two other Christian groups that we won’t be able to look into) that led this Great Awakening, but in the end it was the Methodists and the Baptists who took it forward. “Indeed, if an experience of conversion had such central importance in Christian life, this raised doubts regarding infant baptism. Therefore, many Congregationalists and Presbyterians, led by the Awakening’s emphasis on personal experience, eventually rejected infant baptism and became Baptist. Entire congregations did so.” (Gonzalez, 289)

In the 1700’s the Great Awakening took place. It began with a pastor named Jonathan Edwards, who believed strongly in the need for a personal experience of conversion. His sermons and messages gained a response that surprised even him. “In that year of 1734, people began responding to his sermons, some with emotional outbursts, but many with a remarkable change in their lives, and with increased attention to devotional practices.” (Gonzalez, 288) Other pastors followed in the years to come, continuing the movement. Many accused these pastors of “undermining the solemnity of worship, and of substituting emotion for study and devotion.” (Gonzalez, 289)

Baptists and Methodists both became more aware of the need to evangelize to others. This led them to the Western frontier that was still being settled by Europeans to preach to these settlers. As a result, Baptists and Methodists are the most numerous in these newly settled areas.

What roles do emotion and study play in worship? How do we balance our emotions and the need for serious study in our worship times?

At the end of the 1700’s, a second Great Awakening took place. One of the big outcomes of this was that many of the Baptist churches started working together in Conventions. Remember that at first, many Baptists thought church congregations should be independent of each other. But for the sake of missions many of them started working together. There was also another huge increase in Baptist and Methodist church attendance. Today, there are approximately 50 million self-professed Baptists in the US, which makes up about 40% of all Baptists worldwide. A large number of these congregations are found in the American midwest, southwest and south, although there are Baptist congregations in every state. These American Baptists make up a large portion of Evangelical Christians in North America, which we will talk about a little bit next week.

At the beginning, it was mostly Congregationalists and Presbyterians (two other Christian groups that we won’t be able to look into) that led this Great Awakening, but in the end it was the Methodists and the Baptists who took it forward. “Indeed, if an experience of conversion had such central importance in Christian life, this raised doubts regarding infant baptism. Therefore, many Congregationalists and Presbyterians, led by the Awakening’s emphasis on personal experience, eventually rejected infant baptism and became Baptist. Entire congregations did so.” (Gonzalez, 289)

Baptists and Methodists both became more aware of the need to evangelize to others. This led them to the Western frontier that was still being settled by Europeans to preach to these settlers. As a result, Baptists and Methodists are the most numerous in these newly settled areas.

At the end of the 1700’s, a second Great Awakening took place. One of the big outcomes of this was that many of the Baptist churches started working together in Conventions. Remember that at first, many Baptists thought church congregations should be independent of each other. But for the sake of missions many of them started working together. There was also another huge increase in Baptist and Methodist church attendance. Today, there are approximately 50 million self-professed Baptists in the US, which makes up about 40% of all Baptists worldwide. A large number of these congregations are found in the American midwest, southwest and south, although there are Baptist congregations in every state. These American Baptists make up a large portion of Evangelical Christians in North America, which we will talk about a little bit next week.

CHURCH: History and Today June 2

Intro

Mennonites in Latin America

Baptists

John Smyth

Baptists in North America

John Smyth

Baptists in North America