http://emu.edu/now/anabaptist-nation/2012/02/13/walter-brueggemann-take-two/ Theological musings of Mark Thiessen Nation, professor of theology, Eastern Mennonite Seminary Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:38:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 http://emu.edu/now/anabaptist-nation/2012/02/13/walter-brueggemann-take-two/#comment-13 Linda Matheny Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:36:08 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/anabaptist-nation/?p=44#comment-13 It's a lot easier to discern someone else's power, or the nation's power, or a group's power, than one's own, (with its problematic accompanying responsibility) be it from position or birthright or whatever. I've just finished reading "Power, Authority and the Anabaptist Tradition" co- edited by Benjamin W. Redekop and Calvin W. Redekop. "Although Anabaptist/Mennonites have theologically eschewed the use of worldly power, in actual experience power and control matters have been an inescapable part of life within the community of faith." ("Power" Chapter One pp. 1-13 by J. Lawrence Burkholder). It is especially horrifying to contemplate examples of misuse of power within familial relationships. Calvin mentions in Chapter Nine, "Power in the Anabaptist Community," that rules for Mennonite theology and ethics were not developed as regards family, congregation, and the business life of members. It is in these areas that the church needs to work heroically to develop and nurture structures of accountability." It’s a lot easier to discern someone else’s power, or the nation’s power, or a group’s power, than one’s own, (with its problematic accompanying responsibility) be it from position or birthright or whatever. I’ve just finished reading “Power, Authority and the Anabaptist Tradition” co- edited by Benjamin W. Redekop and Calvin W. Redekop. “Although Anabaptist/Mennonites have theologically eschewed the use of worldly power, in actual experience power and control matters have been an inescapable part of life within the community of faith.” (“Power” Chapter One pp. 1-13 by J. Lawrence Burkholder). It is especially horrifying to contemplate examples of misuse of power within familial relationships. Calvin mentions in Chapter Nine, “Power in the Anabaptist Community,” that rules for Mennonite theology and ethics were not developed as regards family, congregation, and the business life of members. It is in these areas that the church needs to work heroically to develop and nurture structures of accountability.”

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