THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

Many of the congregations in the Palatinate, Switzerland and Alsace are still in existence today [during Deknatel’s lifetime]; even in Northern Hungary congregations of those who fled there from Moravia still exist. 27 Occasionally we [of Deknatel’s time] receive letters from the former as well as the latter. Without a doubt, the latter are of Waldensian 28 origin. g) From all of this it is apparent that Menno was a faithful instrument of the Reformation and the most formidable founder [actually only reorganizer!] of our church, comparable to Luther and Calvin in their churches. For Menno was not only exceptionally talented, blessed, zealous and suited to this task; in addition he was not an uneducated man. He knew Latin and Greek: the former can be seen from the introduction, marginal notes and conclusion to his essay on Christian baptism; the latter from his co mm ents upon and evaluation of Greek words scattered throughout his writings. [Thus far Deknatel. Ramseyer says that Menno had, through intensive studies, prepared him self very well for the priesthood. Even his enemies conceded that his writings proved him to be exceptionally learned for his time. Mosheim, previously referred to, stated that he had been so well educated that many had looked on him as on an oracle. The English Baptist professor, Dr. Cramp, says in his History of the Baptists: “Menno was a scholar of the first rank.”] 3. a) Menno' s Doctrine Menno’s doctrine is fully presented in the three books referred to above: “Foundation of Christian Doctrine.” (Cf. below IV, 2). To our knowledge, the Mennonite Publishing Company’s edition, Elkhart, Indiana, of Mennos Saemtliche Werke is the best known. b) Menno’s doctrines on church discipline, baptism and communion are, for our purposes, satisfactorily treated in his “Withdrawal from the Catholic Church” 29 The following quotations from his Be- kenntnis von dem Dreieinigen ewigen und wahren Gott Vater Sohn und Heiligen Geist (Confession of the Triune, Eternal and True God: Father, Son and Holy Ghost) and other writings characterize his position on the important doctrinal issues concerning God and Christ. “We believe and confess, in accordance with the Scriptures, that this one, eternal, omnipotent, inscrutable, invisible, inexpressible and indescribable God is the eternal incomprehensible Father with His incomprehensible Son and Holy Ghost. We confess that the Father is true God, the Son is true God, and the Holy Ghost is true 16 ORIGINS God— not according to human or comprehensible means, but according to spiritual and incomprehensible means.” ‘‘I teach everyone simply and correctly that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, the Son of God and of man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and bom of the virgin Mary, a poor, miserable [capable of suffering] man, like unto us in all things except without sin.” “We believe and confess that the Holy Spirit is a true, substantial or per