text: I recently finished The Complete Works of Menno Simons and thought it might be interesting to list some of the ways Menno Simons might raise some eyebrows..
  If you can think of any I missed, I would welcome a comment.
  Menno Told State Officials How They Should Live & Govern
  As you read the Complete Writings of Menno Simons you will likely be struck at how often he addresses magistrates. Menno sounds like John the Baptist challenging Herod’s moral indiscretions or the Jewish prophets calling Israel’s kings on the carpet as he calls state officials to justice, a life of sobriety, care for the poor and the fear of God. One example:
  …fear the Lord, your God, with all your powers; judge in all wisdom with fear and trembling; help the oppressed; grieve not the distressed; promote the just cause of the widows and orphans; protect the good; punish the evil in a christian manner [1]; discharge the duties of your offices properly; seek the kingdom and country that will endure forever; and reflect that you, however highly esteemed, upon earth are only pilgrims and sojourners in a strange land. [Location 2790]
  or
  …Yes, beloved lords, Can you thus convert yourselves with all your hearts? Can you change your hearts and humble yourselves before God? Deny yourselves, seek and follow Christ and his righteousness? Renounce the world and flesh with all its lusts, as you have heard? [Location 4199]
  Menno’s caveat below, “as far as Scripture permits”, is likely alluding to the fact that the Scripture does not permit the Christian to take part in capital punishment, based on other comments he makes:
  Do not excuse yourselves, beloved sirs, and judges, that you are the servants of the emperor; this will not acquit you in the day of vengeance. It availed Pilate nothing that he crucified Christ in the name of the emperor. Serve the emperor in imperial matters, so far as Scripture permits, and serve God in divine matters, then you may claim his grace and call yourselves after his name. [Location 2735]
  Menno Was Opposed to Capital Punishment
  Answering Micron who painted Menno as a Christian anarchist:
  I said nothing more to you than that it would hardly become a true, christian ruler to shed blood, for this reason: If the transgressor should truly repent before his God, … and for such an one to be hanged on the gallows…or in any manner be harmed by another christian, …would look somewhat strange and unbecoming, according to the…example of Christ, the meek Lamb, which example he has commanded all his chosen children to follow. Again, If he remain impenitent, and his life be taken, one would do nothing else but unmercifully rob him of the time of repentance… [Location 20156]
  Next Menno says he approves of the example of the pagan Lacedaemonians, who did not practice capital punishment:
  Profane history shows that the Lacedæmonians, who were gentiles, did not practice capital punishment; but they imprisoned them and put them at labor. [Location 20178]
  Did Menno Abstain from All Wine? Perhaps No
  Menno notes:
  “Some…say…that I…drink more wine than they do beer.” [Location 315]
  And his response is not that he does not drink, but that
  My Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, was also called a winebibber, and a glutton. I trust that through the grace of the Lord, I am innocent in this matter, and stand acquitted before God. [Location 315]
  Does this mean he drank? It should be noted that Menno gives many and long exhortations against drunkenness. As GAMEO points out, he gave “many admonitions to a sober life with warnings against drunkenness”.
  Menno Was Encouraged by Reading Martin Luther
  Not too often that you’ll hear a Mennonite quote Martin Luther as a source of encouragement, but Menno Simon in fact does:
  I was encouraged by Luther in the belief, that human authority cannot bind to eternal death… [Location 196]
  But, to be sure, Menno also deeply disagreed with Luther on many points.
  Menno Was Familiar with Pagan History & the Philosophers
  Menno could throw in a quote from Socrates or about Plato without blinking eye.
  But all those who are not instructed in this wisdom from God, though they were as glorious as Solomon, as victorious as Alexander, as rich as Croesus, as strong as Hercules, as learned as Plato, as subtle as Aristotle, as eloquent as Demosthenes and Cicero, and as well skilled in languages as Mithridates… [Location 3294]
  And a little Socrates:
  Yea, dear reader, I freely admit, as did Socrates, that I only know one thing, as regards human skill and wisdom, and that is, that I know nothing. [Location 12778]
  And Aristotle & Plato as examples of approving generosity:
  But, as to the alms and support of the poor, I would say, that it is a good and praise-worthy work, and cordially approve of it. Also, that many pious, gentile philosophers, as Aristotle, Plato, etc., have considered it as right and just. [Location 9208]
  Menno Quotes the Apocrypha & Its Characters Alongside the Bible Without a Pause
  Peter and Susanna in one breath…
  We think with holy Peter, that we should rather obey God than man; and with virtuous Susanna, it is better to fall into the hands of man, than into the hands of God. [Location 2096]
  Daniel and “the fair virtuous Susanna…”
  …the three faithful young men in the fiery furnace, the beloved Daniel, and the fair, virtuous Susanna, the honorable pattern of all pious women, Daniel 13. They would rather endure for a season the wrath and fury of tyrants, than sin, and thus bring upon themselves the eternal anger and wrath of God. [Location 3551]
  Menno Repeatedly Requested to Have Debates with Magisterial Reformers
  Menno apparently did not subscribe to merely being “the quiet in the land” as he repeatedly requested the opportunity to debate. (as did Humaier and other early Anabaptists) One example:
  I voluntarily make this offer: If they allow me a discourse with them under safe conduct, either privately before witnesses, or publicly, before a full assembly, and if I cannot prove or maintain, by the power of the truth that the preachers, in general, are deceivers and not pastors, and that their pompous, avaricious, extortionate swearing and cursing disciples… [Location 10578]
  Menno Was Familiar With the Theologians & Theologies of His Day
  Menno read & was familiar with the theologians of his day. In between duties, writing, running and hiding, apparently he read the theologians of his day: Luther, Bucer, & Bullinger [Location 188] and critiqued their theology: Infant baptism, focus on grace to the exclusion of obedience, their views on the sword and more. Once example:
  Martin Luther says, The word is that which God speaks in himself, and which remains in him and is never separated from him. We do not controvert the testimony of Erasmus and of Luther; but we cited them for the reason that it might be observed what diversity of opinion exists. [Location 12825]
  Menno Uses Imagery from the Book of Revelation to Describe Events of History
  Menno uses Revelation as a description of the past:
  …it is annotated in the Lutheran New Testament, that this Origen is the great star which fell from heaven, burning like a lamp, and that his name is Wormwood, Rev. 8:11.
  Or the present, his debate partners Micron & Herman:
  Justly has the Holy Spirit likened this generation unto the fearful apocalyptic locusts whose shapes were like unto horses prepared unto battle, who have crowns on their heads, like gold; which however are not gold; of which Micron and Herman have placed one on each others head, by their writings; their teeth are as the teeth of lions, and they have tails like unto scorpions, and there are stings in their tails, Rev. 9. [Location 19044]
  And, of course, the future.
  Menno Was Vitally Interested in the Question: What Is Faith?
  In fact he wrote a book on the subject of “The True Christian Faith Which Converts, Changes, Makes Pious…” in 1556. [Location 3258] “True Evangelical Faith” was not just a one time quote, but a subject that Menno was very interested in and a theme he often brought up. This may be one of the missed theological contributions of Menno Simons.
  …for a true, sincere, Christian faith cannot be idle; but it changes, renews, purifies, sanctifies and justifies more and more; it makes joyous and glad, for by faith it knows that hell, devil, sin and death, are conquered through Christ [Location 4915]
  We do not agree with dead faith or meritorious work:
  we testify before you and before all the world that we do not agree with those who teach and institute a dead faith..Secondly, that we can be saved by our own merits and works,… [Location 15975]
  And the quintessential Menno Simons (which incidentally is not in his book on “The True Christian Faith” mentioned above, but in “The Reasons Menno Simon Does Not Cease Teaching & Writing”):
  For true evangelical faith is of such a nature that it cannot lay dormant; but manifests itself in all righteousness and works of love; it dies unto flesh and blood; destroys all forbidden lusts and desires; cordially seeks, serves and fears God; clothes the naked; feeds the hungry; consoles the afflicted; shelters the miserable; aids and consoles all the oppressed; returns good for evil; serves those that injure it; prays for those that persecute it; teaches, admonishes and reproves with the Word of the Lord; seeks that which is lost; binds up that which is wounded; heals that which is diseased and saves that which is sound. The persecution, suffering and anxiety which befalls it for the sake of the truth of the Lord, is to it a glorious joy and consolation.[Location 15503]
  Interestingly Menno Simon’s description of true evangelical faith above errs neither on the side of a mere social gospel (which some shortened versions of the above quote seem to imply) nor the “faith as belief” gospel of some others.
  Menno Far Too Often Used 100 Words When 5 Would Have Been Just Fine
  Menno is quite wordy and often far too wordy. In Menno’s writing on the “Incarnation of Christ” the publishers graciously note:
  …the publishers have taken the liberty to condense and abridge some
  parts thereof and also, here and there, to leave out such parts as they
  considered of no importance in the illustration and explanation of the
  subject, and which were not edifying to the reader. [Location 21457]
  Menno Sported a Mustache with His Beard
  The source for this is every drawing of Menno Simons there is, including the one on the front of your copy of “The Complete Writings of Menno Simons” edited by J. C. Wenger and published by Herald Press. (below) This is a very ill kept secret, but there it is.
  In conclusion I would note that you can get The Complete Works of Menno Simons Kindle Edition for only $1.99 on Amazon. (this is Menno’s writings as published by the Funks, not the J C Wenger edition).
  Let’s be inspired by those who’s voices faithfully call to the way of Jesus, and humbled by the march of time which continues to change the context into which we are called to do so today.
  This article was reprinted on the Mennonite World Review on Oct 19, 2016. If you want to follow the discussion generated there here is the link.
  October 6, 2016 October 18, 2016 by Matt Landis	
  Is Romans 12 and 13 A Medley of Proverbs?
  Theology
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  At our congregation we are working through Proverbs in our midweek prayer meetings. I’ve been aware for some time that the the famous “If your enemy in hungry, feed him” in the middle of Romans 12 is a direct quote from Proverbs 25:21. But I started to notice more and more passages that seem to be evocative of Romans 12 & 13 (or vice versa).
  Did Paul take the very this-worldly Proverbs and arranged them into a punchy medley about the radical love of Jesus and Christians being a living sacrifice? It almost seems like he might!
  Below I list Proverbs match to Romans 12/13. I asterisk those passages that don’t seem to have a close Proverbs passage. But, if I missed one, please let me know. Brackets enclose my commentary. Enjoy.
  Romans 12:9 Pr 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. Pr 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil… {But maybe Paul was thinking of Amos?} Am 5:15 Hate the evil, and love the good…
  Romans 12:10 *
  Romans 12:11 Pr 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand {serve?} before kings {King of Kings? Clever Paul!}…
  Romans 12:12 Pr 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness…
  Romans 12:13 Pr 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
  Romans 12:14 Pr 24:29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me…
  *15 Ecc 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; or…Pr 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth;
  Romans 12:16 Pr 16:19 ¶ Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly… Pr 3:7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes…
  Romans 12:17 Pr 24:29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; Pr 20:22 ¶ Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee…
  Romans 12:18 Pr 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause…
  Romans 12:19 Pr 24:29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work; Pr 20:22 ¶ Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
  Romans 12:20 Pr 25:21 ¶ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: Pr 25:22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
  *21 Pr 16:32 ¶ He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; Pr 19:11 ¶ The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression
  Romans 13:1 Pr 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. Pr 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
  Romans 13:2 Pr 20:2 ¶ The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.; Pr 16:14 ¶ The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
  Romans 13:3 Pr 24:21 ¶ My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: Pr 24:22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? Pr 14:35 ¶ The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
  *4
  *5
  *6
  Romans 13:7 Pr 3:27 ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
  *8
  October 2, 2016 October 18, 2016 by Matt Landis	
  According to Fundamentalists: Will the World Be Destroyed at Jesus’ Return?
  Eschatology, Theology
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  I’ve been reading the The Fundamentals, the essays that form the backbone of the fundamentalist movement, (incidentally at the same time as I read the Complete Writings of Menno Simons for some interesting contrast) and was surprised to read the answer to question: Will the World Be Destroyed at Jesus’ Return? The short answer: No. A bit longer reason why not? Because the millennial reign requires an earth. Read the quotes below from essay 85 on “The Return of Christ” by Charles R. Erdman, D. D. (Princeton Theological Seminary): He first outlines the problem:
  The great objection to the Pre-Millennial position is the apparent prediction of 2 Peter 3, that at the coming of Christ, in “the day of the Lord,” the earth will be destroyed; there could then be no place for a millennium. 18212
  Notice that pre-millennial Erdman notes that “the earth shall be burned with fervent heat” is not literal:
  The predictions of fiery judgments and consequent “new heavens and new earth” must be read in connection with Isaiah 65 and 66, from which Peter is quoting. It will then be seen that these expressions are in-so-far figurative that the earth still continues with its life, its nations, its progress, after these judgments are over. Terrific convulsions, and governmental, social and cosmic changes, only introduce a new and better age. 18218
  Other passages indicate the world is still here, the Nile is flowing, etc.
  So, too, “the day of the Lord” is a familiar phrase, and as we read Zechariah 14 we see that while, in that day, the Lord comes amidst appalling portents, His coming and the day itself are followed by a scene of great blessedness on this same earth; the Nile is still flowing in its course and the nations are going up to Jerusalem to worship. (Note also that in 2Pe 3:10 the most ancient manuscripts do not read “burned up” but “discovered.”) 18221
  And this one is quoteable:
  According to our Lord Himself His return is to bring “the regeneration,” not the destruction of the world (Mat 19:28; Luk 22:28-30). 18231
  According to Peter, “seasons of refreshing” and “the restitution of all things,” not annihilation of the globe, will come with the return of Christ (Act 3:19-21). 18233