A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

salvation. 1 The search of the early Brethren for biblical patterns and principles for the fellowship of believers did not occur in a theological vacuum, however, but in a definite church-related and historical context. In their attempts to understand biblical revelation the brethren were influenced (perhaps much more than they realized) by their spiritual heritage as well as by the literature and ministries of contemporary evangelicals. Even a cursory survey of the theological pilgrimage of the Mennonite Brethren Church through a period of some 112 years shows that the various theological influences to which the brotherhood has been exposed have not always been properly integrated into M.B. theology. In the early years as well as in later times the biblicism of the Mennonite Brethren has been threatened by various schools of theological thought. No definitive study of the nature of Mennonite Brethren theology is possible within the scope of this chapter. 8 However, a brief survey of several historical movements, both earlier and later, and their influence on Mennonite Brethren distinctives, follows. I. Historical Roots of Mennonite Brethren Theology The early Brethren emphasized an experiential Christianity, based on the teachings of the New Testament, but they also had a remarkable appreciation for the historical dimension of faith. P. M. Friesen, eminent Mennonite Brethren historian, more than sixty years ago summarized the ideological roots and formative influences of Mennonite Brethren theology in these words: Therefore we as Mennonites, are heirs in spirit and blood, of the Waldenses, the Bohemian Brethren, the South German and Swiss, and (in blood) over- whelmingly of the Dutch Anabaptists, for the latter were first named "Mennonites." Herein also lies proof of our indubitable kinship to the "Renewed (Zinzendorf-Herrnhut) Brethren Church" and to those of the Dutch Anabaptists, partly the strict Mennonites of Amsterdam, partly the free Anabaptists who "adhere to Menno's guidelines," the Rhynsburger Brethren, or Collegiants, also known as Dunkards (that is immersionists) , who between 1611 and 1640 gave rise to the English Baptists. Their members included Milton . . . Bunyan . . . Carey . . . and C. H. Spurgeon. From Count Zinzendorf's songs, essentially, (and) from Spurgeon's Sermons and other writings, there have flowed upon us streams of blessing. And is it necessary to mention Oncken, Koebner and August Liebig? Menno Simons, courageously and humbly, recovering that "which was from the beginning" has erected a wonderfully simple and convenient house for us, in which we dwell "on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, where Jesus Christ is the cornerstone." Those already named, as well as the evangelical UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL REVELATION 363 Pietists: Phi], Hiller, Gerh. Tersteegen, Ludwig Hofacker, Fr. W. Krummacher and many others through their writings, and Pastor Eduard