A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

he inevitable judgment of God," they wrote, "because the public godlessness and wickedness are crying to God in heaven." 38 In the new movement, therefore, one could find a strong ethical emphasis. In the social and cultural context of that time, a life of discipleship for Mennonite Brethren was related to specific moral problems. Since drinking of alcoholic beverages had become a grave social problem, the Brethren agreed on a pathway of complete abstinence. Because many of them had been enslaved by the tobacco habit prior to their conversion, the Brethren took a strong stand against the use of tobacco. Outside observers would occasionally refer to them as the church of the "non-smokers." Opposition to dancing, card-playing and the commercial movie theatre have also characterized Mennonite Brethren ethics through the years. The scriptural teaching that the believer's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) was a basic motivation in refraining from such practices. 39 Although separation from the world was no doubt often understood in far too narrow terms, there was nevertheless a genuine desire not to be conformed to the world. Nonresistance, a particular aspect of discipleship, is a distinctive which Mennonite Brethren have in common with historic peace churches. Mennonite Brethren believe that Christians should not participate in war or violence but exercise Christian love toward all men. 5. Brotherhood Emphasis Even before 1860 the members of the new life movement among the Mennonites in South Russia were known as "Brethren." The official name of the new group, "Mennonite Brethren Church" was consequently not the result of an artificial or arbitrary process of selection, but rather the expression of a new and vital relationship which the Brethren had experienced in their fellowship. In the early M.B. Church there was a real revival of the biblical concept of koinonia in which the root idea is "participating in something in which others also participate," that is "a conscious sharing with someone else in a joint possession, usually on a continuing basis."'" 1 Like their Anabaptist forefathers, the Mennonite Brethren have conceived of the church as a brotherhood in which there are no classes, no clergy and laity, no artificial distinctions but a fellowship of equals. 372 HISTORY OF THE MENNON1TE BRETHREN CHURCH The New Testament designation of "brother" and "sister" were revived and given a new and deeper meaning. These terms indicated to them that members of the church were closely bound together by the ties of love and mutual concern, and that they should act toward each other as members of a great family of whom God is the Father. Menno's high regard for the "church" also finds expression in Mennonite Brethren theology. The Brethren always viewed the Christian life as being lived in the context of the fellowship of believers. In a very real sense one could describe their the