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Menno Simons
Menno Simons
Menno Simons was born in the village of Witmarsum in Dutch Friesland. Nothing is known of his early background, except that he decided to become a Catholic priest and was consequently ordained in March 1524. In his new capacity, he served from 1524 to 1536 near and in his native village. His work as a priest, however, was troubled by doubts, beginning as early as 1525, about the validity of Catholic teachings. Influenced by the writings of the Protestant reformers, especially Martin Luther, and by his own reading of the Bible, he finally decided in 1536 to renounce the Catholic Church and to be baptized as an Anabaptist. In the following year, he was ordained to the office of a bishop, or overseer, of the Anabaptists. Since the Anabaptists were considered radical revolutionaries and were being persecuted (especially after the events in Münster, Westphalia, under John of Leiden) by the other religious groups, the office was not particularly desirable. In this position, Menno preached his nonviolent type of Anabaptism in the Netherlands until 1544, by which time he had become a much pursued heretic. After 1544 he spent most of his time in Germany, first along the Rhine and then later in the north. All the while he continued to serve on behalf of his faith until his death on Jan. 31, 1561. His constant activity made possible the survival and spread of the original, peaceful Anabaptist movement when it was most threatened by persecution. During all of his missionary activity, Menno also wrote numerous pamphlets and books explaining the Anabaptist doctrines. The most important one was Foundation of theChristian Doctrine, or Foundation Book (1539). Although Menno was not a great theologian or philosopher, his writings were buttressed with quotations from Scripture and provided his followers, called Mennonites, with a good understanding of basic Anabaptist concepts. He believed that baptism and the Lord's Supper did not confer grace but reflected the inward state of the believer. The true church was composed of those who had experienced regeneration and a "new birth," thus rejecting infant baptism. Although oaths and military and government service were forbidden as contrary to Scripture, magistrates were to be obeyed in everything not prohibited by Scripture. Further ReadingAn English-language edition of Menno's works is Complete Writings, translated by Leonard Verduin and edited by John Christian Wenger (1956). One of the earliest biographies of Menno and still the most complete work in English is John Horsch, Menno Simons: His Life, Labors, and Teachings (1916). Later works on him include Harold S. Bender and John Horsch, Menno Simons' Life and Writings (1936), and Franklin H. Littell, A Tribute to Menno Simons (1961). □ |
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"Menno Simons." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Menno Simons." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3404704410.html "Menno Simons." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3404704410.html |
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Menno Simons
Menno Simons , 1496?–1561, Dutch religious reformer. The name of the Mennonites was derived from his name, although he was not the actual founder of the sect. In 1524 he became a Roman Catholic priest but in 1536 he left the church when he announced that he no longer believed in infant baptism and other Catholic teachings. His test of the true Christian was regeneration. He was active in Holland and Germany as an organizer and leader of the less aggressive division of Anabaptists. His writings and sermons were published as Opera omnia theologica (1681).
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"Menno Simons." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Menno Simons." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MennoSim.html "Menno Simons." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MennoSim.html |
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Mennonites
Mennonites Christian sect founded by the Dutch reformer Menno Simons (1496–1561) and influenced by Anabaptist doctrines. They believe in the baptism of adult believers, and reject infant baptism as well as the doctrine of the real presence in the Eucharist.
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"Mennonites." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Mennonites." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Mennonites.html "Mennonites." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Mennonites.html |
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Simons, Menno
Simons, Menno (Dutch priest and radical reformer): see MENNONITES.
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Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Simons, Menno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Simons, Menno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-SimonsMenno.html JOHN BOWKER. "Simons, Menno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-SimonsMenno.html |
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Menno Simons
Menno Simons see Menno Simons . |
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Cite this article
"Menno Simons." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Menno Simons." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Simons-M.html "Menno Simons." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Simons-M.html |
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Simons, Menno.
Simons, Menno. See MENNONITES.
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Simons, Menno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Simons, Menno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-SimonsMenno.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Simons, Menno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-SimonsMenno.html |
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