Anabaptist Theological Perspectives

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives examines a conversation between Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro to explore what it means to "imitate Christ." Guests/topics discussed include Peterson’s practical triad—speak the truth, accept suffering, confront malevolence—and how those ideas resonate with early Anabaptist emphases on bearing the cross and practical holiness. The episode c...

Host Jerry Eicher reflects on the Anabaptist roots of religious freedom in an episode timed for July 4th. Guests and voices referenced include Steve Stuzman (Straight Paths Ministry), Gene Edwards, and Walter Beachy. The conversation traces the Anabaptist conviction of the church as local gathered believers, their rejection of state-backed religion and infant baptism, and the brutal persecution th...

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives reacts to the Supreme Court’s 5–4 decision on birthright citizenship, focusing on Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s surprising vote and Justice Kavanaugh’s different reasoning. He explains the legal stakes of the 14th Amendment debate — jus soli versus textualist readings like “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” — and what the ruling could mean polit...

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives examines cessationalism—the claim that apostolic sign gifts (tongues, prophecy, healings) ended with the early church—and argues for reading the biblical story as an arc rather than a single fact. He walks through 1 Corinthians 12–13, contrasts frontier missionary contexts (e.g., Haiti) with mature Christian life, and explains why physical m...

Host Jerry Eicher (Anabaptist Theological Perspectives) examines two recent cases—a fatal stabbing at a Frisco ISD high school track meet and disputed sexual-abuse allegations—and argues that modern culture often treats visible suffering as automatic proof of moral rightness. Drawing on Romans 1:16–17, Eicher explores what “the righteousness of God” means, critiques a...

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives addresses a current controversy: Catholic exorcist Stephen Rossetti was removed from his post after asserting that many UFO phenomena are demonic deceptions. Eicher summarizes the Archdiocese of Washington and Cardinal Robert McElroy's response, and notes recent papal remarks about the James Webb Telescope and the possibility of life beyond Earth...

Jerry Eicher, retired Mennonite minister and author (65), host of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives, reflects on the cultural and theological challenges facing conservative churches today. He draws on decades of pastoral experience and writings. See jerryeicher.com. Feminist influence is reshaping congregational life, marriage, and male spiritual leadership. The episode traces Bible-based argume...

Host Jerry Eicher (Anaphaptist) explores the theological landscape of suffering, inspired by Jordan Peterson’s phrase “the unbearable catastrophe of being.” In this episode he contrasts modern Christian responses, Eastern religious views, and Reformed thinking while probing why suffering exists and how it can point toward meaning. Eicher examines Christ’s participation in suffering—from Genesis an...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTyXdyIACrg&t=20s Copy and paste for video on Youtube.   In this episode the speaker (a pastor) preaches on "God of the Whole House," using a three-level house image (basement, main floor, upstairs) to explain how God redeems the whole person. He reads and reflects on Isaiah 63, Malachi 3, John, and 1 John, emphasizing God’s plans to refine and r...

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives walks listeners through the week’s hottest religious controversies, offering an Anabaptist lens on tensions between faith and politics. Topics include viral videos from southern Lebanon showing an Israeli soldier desecrating statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, the historical and contemporary contours of Jewish–Christian animosity, and why...

Jerry Eicher — retired Mennonite minister, business owner and author — discusses his novel When Hearts Break, a literary Amish drama that confronts childhood sexual abuse, the long road to healing, and the moral complexities of community life. The episode covers Eicher's critique of Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love, his intent to depict realistic pathways to recovery rather than institu...

Host Jerry Eicher (Anabaptist Theological Perspectives) explores the ‘dark side’ of human impulses and how Scripture and psychology approach it. Drawing on John 1 and Pauline teaching, he compares Freudian repression with Jungian integration and reflects on voices like Jordan Peterson and contemporary conservative counseling trends. Topics include conscience, the shadow self, the problems of repre...

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives examines Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine, focusing on the book’s final chapter and its spiritual warning about technology’s threat to human identity. Topics include the ‘machine’ as a dehumanizing force, the need for divine submission over isolated self-reliance, the Tower of Babel and the role of local identity and nations, why culture war...

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives examines the cultural and theological tensions between contemporary feminism and traditional Christian teachings about gender, marriage, and sexual desire. Drawing on Genesis 3, pastoral counseling, and popular Christian and secular voices, the episode probes why many women are drawn to narratives of domination in fiction and how that inters...

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives examines a focused subset of the head-covering debate, centering on 1 Corinthians 11:15 and the idea that a womans long hair is her given "glory." He critiques readings that claim hair itself is the sole covering and argues instead that the covering must hide the hairs glory, which is the textually identifiable concern. Eicher explores the biblic...

Host Jerry Eicher explores the intersection of feminism, sexual abuse, and conservative Anabaptist practice, centering recent news about an Amish men’s retreat leader and broader debates within Mennonite and Amish communities. Guests and voices referenced include testimony from Jason Stoll about men’s retreats and spiritual healing, quotes from dating coach Pat Stedman, and discussion...

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives offers a reflective poetic meditation on Christ’s life, suffering, and resurrection. Drawing from the Wednesday crucifixion timeline, the episode explores the fulfillment of prophetic shadows, the humility of Christ’s birth, the depth of his suffering for humanity’s sins, and the transformative joy of resurrection. The episode b...

Host Jerry Eicher walks listeners through an alternative Holy Week timeline that places the crucifixion on Wednesday. Drawing primarily on details from John’s Gospel and selected early church writings, he explores how a Wednesday crucifixion can resolve puzzles around “three days and three nights,” the timing of the women buying and preparing spices, and the occurrence of back-to...

In this candid episode, Jerry Eicher shares his personal testimony at Oakhill Mennonite  spanning Amish childhood, missionary years in Central America, and the lifelong impact of faith. He recounts family dynamics, cultural contrasts within Amish communities, and vivid childhood moments—from snowy errands for kerosene to a haunting experience that led his mother to deep prayer. The epis...

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives reflects on Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine and explores how our technologically driven, AI-dominated world undermines human flourishing and spiritual authority. Eicher examines Kingsnorth’s critique of the Reformation’s role in empowering the autonomous self and warns that unchecked technological and social trends threaten the very fr...

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives highlights a viral performance by a small Calvary Bible School choir in Calico Rock, Arkansas: a layered, high-quality rendition of Dovid Edel’s 2018 song "Taddy My King." He praises the choir’s excellence and unusual choice to sing a Jewish song in English, and invites listeners to watch and appreciate the music. Using the performanc...

This episode features Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives reflecting on the theological roots of obedience and sacrifice and why those virtues are eroding in both church and culture. Drawing on the Genesis creation scene, Jerry argues that obedience—our obligation to surround ourselves with Scripture and offer options to God—and sacrificial self-giving are foundational to Christian...

Host Jerry Eicher explores Jonathan Pageau's “Reflections on the Void” and conversations with Jordan Peterson and John Lennox to ask why doing good can be misunderstood and why sacrifice remains central. Guests and references include Jonathan Pageau's (podcast), Peterson and Lennox (conversation), and a critique of themes in King’s North’s Against the Machine. The episode u...

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives announces an adapted version of the Heidelberg Catechism tailored for Anabaptist readers. He explains the history and structure of the 1563 catechism—its pastoral tone, 52 weekly themes, and focus on guilt, grace, and gratitude—and describes how he revised key points to reflect Anabaptist convictions. The episode covers why there is a need for a...

In this sermon-style episode the host continues a deep study on sacrifice, obedience, and mercy as a three-tier pattern running through the Old Testament and into the New. Topics include the tension between faith and works (Paul’s teachings vs. Old Testament practice), the Book of Job and Satan’s challenge about merit, moralism, and how God trains us to love goodness for its own sake. Listeners ca...