Becoming Anabaptist: The Origin and Significance of Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism [Paperback]

J. Denny Weaver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2005

When Becoming Anabaptist appeared in 1987, it was the first major study to incorporate the new history of multiple beginnings and a diverse Anabaptism into a synthesis of meanings for the late 20th century. J. Denny Weaver’s attempt was welcomed and widely acclaimed by scholars and by church leaders alike. In this second edition, Weaver provides a "masterful treatment of his beloved Anabaptist vision, he writes in measured, scholarly, orderly fashion. With Denny Weaver as your guide, I am sure that you will find it a great joy to walk through the adventure called Anabaptism."—William H. Willimon in the Foreword

Editorial Reviews

Review

"J. Denny WeaverÂ’s study is invaluable." -- Christianity Today

"Weaver helps members of the Free Church in our task of becoming Anabaptist." --Brethren Life and Thought

From the Author

A second, revised, and expanded edition of Becoming Anabaptist is evidence that the first edition has garnered a certain amount of respect. A second, revised edition also indicates that the useful life of the first edition has ended. Conversations with colleagues who have used the book, whether in classroom teaching or in congregational settings, revealed significant interest in a new edition. I am grateful that Herald Press staff agreed with that assessment, and it has been a pleasure to work with Levi Miller in producing this edition.

The two editions of this book stand as bookends to my career. The first edition was my first book and came relatively early in my professional career. The second edition comes quite near the end of my teaching career. Much has happened in between. On the side of Anabaptist scholarship, there were a number of revisions and additions to the "polygenesis" school of thought, which shaped the first edition. The current edition has incorporated much from those efforts to go "beyond" polygenesis. The effort to move beyond polygenesis has also provoked a new debate about the significance and meaning of Anabaptism. I have not pursued that debate in the five chapters of the book, but interested readers may engage it in the interpretive essay in the appendix.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Herald Pr; 2nd edition (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0836134346
• ISBN-13: 978-0836134346
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,179,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. Denny Weaver is Professor Emeritus and The Harry and Jean Yoder Scholar in Bible and Religion at Bluffton University where he taught for 31 years. His most recent books include The Nonviolent Atonement, 2nd edition, and the co-authored Defenseless Christianity: Anabaptism for a Nonviolent Church. His many articles and chapters in edited books as well as speaking engagements address a variety of topics related to nonviolence, violence in traditional theology, atonement theology, the character of God, violence in society, and Anabaptist history and theology. He has lectured in the United Kingdom, the Congo, and in Germany. He is editor of The C. Henry Smith Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous history of the Anabaptist faith, August 6, 2004

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Becoming Anabaptist: The Origin and Significance of Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism (Paperback)

This wonderful book admirably covers the origin of the Anabaptist faith, from the very beginning of the Protestant Reformation to the death of Menno Simons in 1561. Anabaptism did not originate with one man in one place. Instead, the modern Anabaptist movement is a confluence of reform movements in three areas: Switzerland, Southern Germany and Moravia, and the Low Countries. And, in the final chapter of the book, the author, Professor of Religion at Bluffton (Mennonite) College, looks at the implication of the historic Anabaptist faith.

Overall, I found this to be a fantastic book. The author gives a clear and concise history of Anabaptism, including the famous (or infamous) Anabaptist kingdom of Munster (1534-35). As I was reading along, I could not help but marvel at the excellence of the book.

However, the final chapter, The Meaning of Anabaptism, I found much less appealing. As members of a hated and persecuted minority themselves, the Anabaptists have frequently campaigned for civil and human rights in many countries around the world. But, the author seems to unquestioningly link the modern Anabaptists to the modern American political Left. I found this to be rather disappointing, and in some ways a cheapening of Anabaptism, making its social reach dependent on a non-Christian movement.

But, that said, this is a marvelous history of the Anabaptist faith, definitely the best one that I have seen so far. So, if you are interested in the history of the Anabaptists, then you simply MUST get this book. I highly recommend it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars *the* one volume introduction to Anabaptist Historiography, June 14, 2003

By 

E. Martin "scalawagg" (US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Becoming Anabaptist: The Origin and Significance of Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism (Paperback)

Don't let the 176 pages fool you. This book is comprehensive survey concerning the origins of Anabaptism. Taking a "multiple origins" view of almost simultaneous origins in Switzerland and South Germany/Austria/Moravia and subseqent spread northward to Holland, Weaver presents a complex story with comendable economy.

In section 3 he survey anabaptist historiograpy, starting with the establishment view of "they're fanatics" of Calvin and Luther, to the "anabaptist vision" of Harold Bender, to the (then) latest research of Werner Packull, Klaus Deppermann, and James M. Stayer.

History writing often tells as much about the writer as it does the "story" and Anabaptist history is no exception! Along the Weaver raises some pertinent points about Anabaptist identity today!

Popularly written intellectual history doesn't get any better!