Anabaptist Perspectives

It is good to work and to be invested in our work. Distributism fits well with traditional Anabaptist values, even though it has largely been articulated by Catholic thinkers. Stephen Russell urges us to “look at distributism and see how it fits with what we have traditionally tried to do, and learn from it”. These themes include valuing craftsmanship, family businesses, and widespread ownership o...

What does Scripture have to say about loaning money at interest? Do Old Testament prohibitions apply to us? How does collecting interest fit with working with our own hands and being productive?  Stephen Russell gives us glimpses into how the church has thought about this over the last two millenia, and how Christian thinking changed as economic systems changed. Stephen calls us to see God’s...

Is the kingdom message socialism? What does the New Testament say about interest and lending? What about interest on business loans? And what really is laying up treasures in heaven? John calls us back to the willingness to give and share as the foundational issue for all of these questions.  This is the 150th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that...

Money has rarely been far removed from the biblical narratives or major conversations of the church since the New Testament. Between the close of the New Testament and the protestant reformation, the church had much to say about usury. Stephen Russell, a student of history, orients us to the church’s premodern stance on usury.  Recommended Resource: https://www.crisismagazine.com/2011/catholi...

Kevin Brechbill urges business owners to pay employees well think carefully about where to give money, and to build accountability and transparency around their role as business owners. Recommended Resources:  Money, Possessions, Eternity by Randy Alcorn. https://amzn.to/3ujopoy This is the 148th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various as...

What are the basic ideas for understanding how Christians should value and relate to money? John D. Martin points us to the Old Testament year of Jubilee and Jesus’s teachings about laying up treasures. He challenges us to embrace Jesus’s values and ensure we are worshiping him, not money. Recommended Resources: Through the Eye of a Needle by Roger Hertzler: https://scrollpublishing.com/products/t...

This is a sample chapter from David’s Bercot’s book  In God We Don’t Trust . We helped produce the audiobook version, and are excited to share a few chapters with you during the month of December. You can find the complete book at the links below or on any major audiobook platform.  If you would like to make a year-end donation to Anabaptist Perspectives, you can do so at:&nbsp...

This is a sample chapter from David’s Bercot’s book  In God We Don’t Trust . We helped produce the audiobook version, and are excited to share a few chapters with you during the month of December. You can find the complete book at the links below or on any major audiobook platform.  If you would like to make a year-end donation to Anabaptist Perspectives, you can do so at:&nbsp...

This is a sample chapter from David’s Bercot’s book  In God We Don’t Trust . We helped produce the audiobook version, and are excited to share a few chapters with you during the month of December. You can find the complete book at the links below or on any major audiobook platform.  If you would like to make a year-end donation to Anabaptist Perspectives, you can do so at: &nbs...

This week our special Ask Anabaptist Anything Podcast (normally reserved for monthly partners) is available for all supporters and fans. Thanks so much for your interest and support for Anabaptist Perspectives! In this piece Reagan and Jaran give a brief update and explain why our financial partners are so important to the mission. We are excited to continue producing content for Season 4 and foll...

Biblically, stewardship includes our skills and social roles, not just our use of money. It is about the role we play in God’s household. Marlin Sommers, Kyle Stoltzfus, and Reagan Schrock discuss these concepts and how they can practically play out. Marlin shows us how being a manager in God’s household is much more involved than it is often given credit for. This conversation is based around thr...

Why do we need so many Bible translations? How can we take advantage of this broad variety? Marlin Sommers, Kyle Stoltzfus, and Reagan Schrock discuss two essays about translations that Marlin wrote. Read the first essay: https://anabaptistperspectives.org/why-new-bible-translations-matter-an-example/ Read the second essay: https://anabaptistperspectives.org/choosing-translations-for-bible-study/...

What does the Bible mean when it uses the term “powers”? Can understanding powers and Anabaptist history help Anabaptists today understand themselves better? Marlin interviews Kyle Stoltzfus about his essay “Seeking Better Vision: Anabaptists, History, and the Powers” https://anabaptistperspectives.org/seeking-better-vision/. This is the 144th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, a...

What kind of stories do displaced women have? How does abuse affect people? Kate works in Athens Greece with displaced woman who have experienced trauma and abuse. She shares about her work of bringing healing to these people. “The impact of trauma, he [Jesus] overcame when he resurrected that third day.” This is the 143rd episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel th...

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 realiz...

Allen Roth tells about planting Followers of Jesus Mennonite Church. In 1986, Allen and Carolyn Roth moved to Brooklyn, New York to help plant a church. Allen also shares about the types of ministry that he has seen work well and those that have not. “Success is defined in people coming to Christ, in becoming committed members of the church, in reaching out in their own neighborhood, in starting a...

How can you help someone who is new in your country to feel at home? What traits do Anabaptists specifically have that are attractive to foreigners? Ernest Eby shares stories and examples of ministry to the international scholars at Penn State University. “Before the world was created, God had appointed that the international people living close to you would be placed there so that they would seek...

What is success in teaching? “One [success] is that over time students become more like Jesus. On a more academic side, one of the things that I look for in my students is that over time they become better thinkers.” John Kuhns loves learning and strives to pass this to his students by teaching well. John is a teacher at Faith Builders Christian School. https://www.fbep.org/ministries/fbcs This is...

Can owning a company help one serve God? How does a business develop a Kingdom focus? Verlon Miller describes what he has seen on the inside of Anabaptist businesses as a business advisor. Verlon has been blessed to see the generosity many business owners have. Find more information about Gehman Business Advisors: https://www.gehmanaccounting.com/gehman-business-advisors You can become a Patron wi...

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.” Blinded By Might: https://amzn.to/3ADzVx8 You can become a Patron with...

I live in a country where voting is mandatory, is it okay to vote? What is the correct response to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions? Why don’t Anabaptists just call themselves “Early Church”? Today Jaran Miller, Reagan Schrock, and Marlin Sommers respond to three questions from our audience. Jaran, Reagan, and Marlin are all on the Anabaptist Perspectives administrative team. In Episode 132 they...

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? This is the 135th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube cha...

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. https://www.sattlercollege.org/ He formerly worked for the US Air force...

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. See our previous episode for more of Daniel's personal journey following Christ. https://youtu.be/R3IvctNiVhk Patrons can view a bonus clip where Daniel Willis tells...

Do foreign missions cause more harm or good? How can missionaries keep from merging their culture and the gospel? Three members of the Anabaptist Perspectives administrative team, Jaran, Marlin, and Reagan, discuss feedback that we have received from our audience. Jaran, Marlin, and Reagan are all frequent contributors to our Patron exclusive Ask Anabaptist Perspectives Anything Podcast. https://w...