An edition of A People Apart: Ethnicity and the Mennonite Brethren
(1987)
A People Apart
Ethnicity and the Mennonite Brethren
by John H. Redekop
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This book represents the findings of a 1985 research project undertaken by Dr. John H. Redekop, commissioned by the Board of Spiritual and Social Concerns of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches to study the issue of ethnicity and Mennonite Brethren. The first part of the book summarizes the responses to a national survey administered by Redekop. He then concludes with a three-fold proposal, calling on Mennonite Brethren: 1) to adopt a more welcoming attitude toward non-ethnic Mennonites who have joined their church, 2) to demonstrate full acceptance of the various ethnic and racial backgrounds represented by fellow Christian believers in their church, and 3) to change their denominational name from Mennonite Brethren to Evangelical Anabaptist, swapping the ethnic category for a theological category.
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Mennonites, Mennonite Brethren, Ethnicity, Social science researchShowing 1 featured edition. View all 1 editions?
| Edition | Availability |
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A People Apart: Ethnicity and the Mennonite Brethren
1987, Kindred Productions
Paperback
in English
0919797687 9780919797680
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Book Details
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction.
1. Why study the question of ethnicity?.
Page 1
2. Terms and definitions.
Page 2
3. Research methods.
Page 6
4. Are we truly open-minded?.
Page 7
5. Author's personal stance and commitment.
Page 8
6. The scope of the study.
Page 9
Chapter 2: Questions, Assumptions, Hypotheses.
Part A. The Basic Questions.
Page 11
Part B. Some Key Assumptions.
Page 12
1. The term "Mennonite" has a positive connotation.
Page 12
2. The Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith must be retained.
Page 13
3. The retention of the Evangelical-Anabaptist distinctiveness is not necessarily related to the retention of the name "Mennonite.".
Page 15
4. If Mennonite Brethren do not take corrective action, retention of Anabaptist theology will become problematic.
Page 17
5. Mennonite Brethren should be guided by our understanding of God's word.
Page 17
6. The present generation has a responsibility to do what needs to be done.
Page 18
7. The strong arguments are not all on one side.
Page 18
8. There is no option which will please everyone.
Page 19
9. It is possible to deal with this topic and maintain unity and good will.
Page 19
10. We commit ourselves to consider all evidence fairly.
Page 19
11. Unless there are compelling reasons, there should be no change.
Page 19
12. It is more important to agree on goals than on interpretation of past or present.
Page 19
Part C: The Basic Hypotheses.
Page 19
Chapter 3. Religion and Ethnicity: A National Survey.
1. Introduction.
Page 22
2. Explanation concerning the questionnaire.
Page 25
3. Life situation response (national sample).
Page 26
4. Comparison of opinions and perceptions.
Page 27
5. Conclusion.
Page 54
Questionnaire.
Page 55
Chapter 4. Are Mennonites Ethnic?.
1. Is ethno-religious ethnic?.
Page 57
2. Mennonites listed as ethnics.
Page 58
3. Teaching about Mennonites in schools.
Page 58
4. The Mennonite press.
Page 59
Mennonitische Rundschau.
Page 59
Mennonite Mirror.
Page 60
Festival Quarterly.
Page 61
Mennonite Reporter.
Page 61
Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Page 62
5. Mennonite culture.
Page 65
Mennonite names.
Page 69
Mennonite clothing.
Page 70
Mennonite quilts.
Page 71
Mennonite painting.
Page 71
Mennonite music.
Page 72
Mennonite drama and film.
Page 73
Mennonite literature.
Page 74
Mennonite language; Low German.
Page 74
Mennonite food.
Page 75
Mennonite religion.
Page 77
Mennonite museums.
Page 78
Mennonite relief sales.
Page 79
6. Views of "new" Mennonites.
Page 81
7. Mennonites as tourist attractions.
Page 84
8. Mennonites in the Media.
Page 86
9. Statements by Mennonites about Mennonites.
Page 87
10. Views of Mennonites who have left the Mennonite Church.
Page 90
11. Description of Mennonites in scholarly literature.
Page 92
12. Field research dealing with Mennonite ethnicity.
Page 95
13. Statements by governmental and other officials concerning Mennonite ethnicity.
Page 97
14. Conclusion: Mennonites are ethnic.
Page 112
Chapter 5. Are Mennonite Brethren Ethnic?.
1. The present situation.
Page 119
2. The San Jose survey.
Page 122
Chapter 6. Mennonites and Ethnicity; Some Religious and Historical Considerations.
1. Ethnicity as a problem in church ministries.
Page 131
2. What does the Bible say about ethnicity?.
Page 132
3. What did the early Anabaptists say about ethnicity?.
Page 135
4. The development of ethnicity.
Page 137
Chapter 7. Coming to Terms with Ethnicity: The Options.
1. Fusing Mennonite ethnicity and Anabaptist Christianity.
Page 143
2. Seeing the Anabaptist church as part of the Mennonite ethnic group.
Page 144
3. Seeing the Mennonite ethnic group and the Anabaptist church as overlapping communities.
Page 144
4. Viewing the Mennonite ethnic groups and the Anabaptist church as distinct entities but still calling both Mennonite.
Page 145
5. Trying to reform and revise Mennonite ethnicity.
Page 146
6. Denying Mennonite ethnicity.
Page 146
7. Denying Mennonite ethnicity and rejecting Anabaptist theology.
Page 147
8. Partially separating Mennonite ethnicity from Anabaptist theology and affirming both.
Page 148
Chapter 8. A Modest Proposal.
1. Concerning attitude.
Page 152
2. Concerning actions.
Page 152
3. Concerning the name.
Page 153
a. How serious is the erosion of Anabaptist theology.
Page 154
b. Must we take action now?.
Page 155
c. Should we "risk" a name change?.
Page 156
d. Have there been other name changes?.
Page 160
e. Is "Evangelical Anabaptist" the best alternative?.
Page 160
Chapter 9. Questions Commonly Asked.
1. Why talk about Mennonitism? There is no problem.
Page 167
2. Would a name change constitute a betrayal of our Anabaptist traditions and beliefs?.
Page 168
3. Would a formal name change create a loss of identity?.
Page 169
4. "But I don't want a name change!".
Page 173
5. Does Mennonite diversity in the global scene not prove that "Mennonite" does not mean a particular ethnicity?.
Page 173
6. Would a change of name confuse people?.
Page 175
7. Is not the situation already improving?.
Page 175
8. What's wrong with being an ethnic church? Aren't all people ethnic?.
Page 176
9. Are not the ethnic churches in North America growing rapidly?.
Page 177
10. Would any other name not produce the same problems?.
Page 177
11. Can't we educate the public?.
Page 177
12. How would a name change affect our relationship with other Mennonite conferences and inter-Mennonite agencies?.
Page 178
13. How would a Canadian conference name change affect our mission work overseas?.
Page 178
14. How would the proposed name change affect our denominational institutions?.
Page 179
15. Would Mennonite Brethren cease to be Mennonite Brethren?.
Page 179
16. Would a conference name change not make us appear to be dishonest?.
Page 179
17. Could a name change be undertaken without a similar change occurring in our sister MB conferences in the U.S.?.
Page 180
18. Would keeping the name Mennonite Brethren not help us to retain our theological distinctives?.
Page 180
Chapter 10. Conclusion.
Concluding comments.
Page 181
Chapter 11. Postscript.
Answering early responses.
Page 185
Subject Index.
Page 189
Name Index.
Page 197
Edition Notes
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| October 6, 2016 | Edited by Jon Isaak | Edited without comment. |
| October 6, 2016 | Edited by Jon Isaak | Edited without comment. |
| October 6, 2016 | Edited by Jon Isaak | Added new cover |
| October 6, 2016 | Edited by Jon Isaak | Edited without comment. |
| December 10, 2009 | Created by WorkBot | add works page |