The Mennonites' View on Spiritual Life
Of course, all of them are spiritual. False. Actually none of them really are. Also false.
The motto of "solo Scrittora" has long been forgotten by many of them. While some did have their practices built upon the Bible centuries ago, they are now just traditions. Yet they all claim to be following the Bible. Decide for yourself which ones are.
Now I'm not judging them or am writing this to condemn any of them. I'm writing from a spiritual viewpoint.
The Old Colonists are the least spiritual. Strict upholding of church rules is equated with salvation. Alcohol and tobacco are accepted as long as the consumer controls himself. Men have been known to cruelly whip their children and abuse their wives. In some cases, the police have become involved. The Bible is a book full of mistery to these Mennonites.
The Old Order (Hoover) are more spiritually minded; they use the Bible in their homes and churches and many actually believe in the new birth and adherence to the teachings of the New Testament. However there are those, both old and young, who even though they view the Christian life as a relationship with God, yet they uphold a ridgid moral life to the point where salvation is dependent on their works. This has created 2 groups of Old Order Mennonites, the rigid and traditional and the more liberal and spiritual. They dress nearly identical but their spiritual views and doctrines are different.
KG Mennonites certainly are not much different than the Old Order in that area. They are certainly more open to discuss Biblical items however unlike the more liberal Old Order, a personal relationship with our Saviour is nonexistent; also a good moral life is viewed as proof that you are a Christian. One thing they do not teach is that the new birth is a spiritual awakening that can be mentally, emotionally and physically experienced. To them, the new birth is what happens when a person agrees to be baptized and join the church. That person is now a "real" Christian. I have talked with those who did experience the new birth by studying the Bible and praying. The change displayed in their lives was astounding. I have also talked with those who wrinkled their foreheads and shrugged when I questioned them about accepting Jesus and being saved.
Beachy and Holdeman Mennonites teach the following and also have them as part of their written doctrines: repentance, admission and restitution of sins, the new birth, salvation dependent on your obedience to God's Word, the Holy Spirit and the reality of hell. Without repentance, there is no acknowledgement of sins, no new birth, no salvation, no relationship with God at all. Maintaining a strict, discplined life according to the church will not save you. According to them, the doctrines and guidelines are there as Biblical definitions to help you understand how to put His teachings into practice, thus safeguarding you against false doctrines and unorthodox views of the Bible. Dress code is to preserve unity and keep separation from the world.
Of course what they believe will be practiced differently between congregations, but the doctrinal views remain the same.
Liberal or freedom Mennonites abhor the word religion. God is not demanding dress codes and doctrines, He wants your heart. After accepting Him as your Saviour you are no longer vulnerable to Satan. Good works will be produced by the Holy Spirit as long as you do your best to follow God. Hell is nothing to worry about, Jesus has freed you from that place.
The motto of "solo Scrittora" has long been forgotten by many of them. While some did have their practices built upon the Bible centuries ago, they are now just traditions. Yet they all claim to be following the Bible. Decide for yourself which ones are.
Now I'm not judging them or am writing this to condemn any of them. I'm writing from a spiritual viewpoint.
The Old Colonists are the least spiritual. Strict upholding of church rules is equated with salvation. Alcohol and tobacco are accepted as long as the consumer controls himself. Men have been known to cruelly whip their children and abuse their wives. In some cases, the police have become involved. The Bible is a book full of mistery to these Mennonites.
The Old Order (Hoover) are more spiritually minded; they use the Bible in their homes and churches and many actually believe in the new birth and adherence to the teachings of the New Testament. However there are those, both old and young, who even though they view the Christian life as a relationship with God, yet they uphold a ridgid moral life to the point where salvation is dependent on their works. This has created 2 groups of Old Order Mennonites, the rigid and traditional and the more liberal and spiritual. They dress nearly identical but their spiritual views and doctrines are different.
KG Mennonites certainly are not much different than the Old Order in that area. They are certainly more open to discuss Biblical items however unlike the more liberal Old Order, a personal relationship with our Saviour is nonexistent; also a good moral life is viewed as proof that you are a Christian. One thing they do not teach is that the new birth is a spiritual awakening that can be mentally, emotionally and physically experienced. To them, the new birth is what happens when a person agrees to be baptized and join the church. That person is now a "real" Christian. I have talked with those who did experience the new birth by studying the Bible and praying. The change displayed in their lives was astounding. I have also talked with those who wrinkled their foreheads and shrugged when I questioned them about accepting Jesus and being saved.
Beachy and Holdeman Mennonites teach the following and also have them as part of their written doctrines: repentance, admission and restitution of sins, the new birth, salvation dependent on your obedience to God's Word, the Holy Spirit and the reality of hell. Without repentance, there is no acknowledgement of sins, no new birth, no salvation, no relationship with God at all. Maintaining a strict, discplined life according to the church will not save you. According to them, the doctrines and guidelines are there as Biblical definitions to help you understand how to put His teachings into practice, thus safeguarding you against false doctrines and unorthodox views of the Bible. Dress code is to preserve unity and keep separation from the world.
Of course what they believe will be practiced differently between congregations, but the doctrinal views remain the same.
Liberal or freedom Mennonites abhor the word religion. God is not demanding dress codes and doctrines, He wants your heart. After accepting Him as your Saviour you are no longer vulnerable to Satan. Good works will be produced by the Holy Spirit as long as you do your best to follow God. Hell is nothing to worry about, Jesus has freed you from that place.
