Drawing From The Roots

I will be one of the first to admit that I don’t know my denominations history that well. Oh, I’ve read the general stuff and taken the history course that was required but I’ve never delved deeply into what it was all about as many others have. However, I have appreciated a heritage that I have imposed on our roots simply by what I know of other groups which is admittedly a dubious approach. But I will give credit to the fathers until someone shows me otherwise.

One of our fathers was a Mennonite preacher so I have assumed that we carried some Mennonite distinctives. One particular distinctive that I particularly like is that Mennonites tend to be wary of abstract theological issues and focus more on the gospel and how it should influence day-in day-out community life. How Jesus would have us live in relationship with one another is of primary importance. It seems that redeemed relationships with others follows in close priority to a redeemed relationship with God.

Now I may be talking out of both sides of my mouth here because I do like to dabble in abstract theological issues at times. And I suppose that to some that would be a distraction that should be avoided. But I claim that distractions aside I tend to be accepting of the various sides of many of these issues in spite of my willingness to argue my views and I do hold to the priority of loving God and loving others in the way described above. I get frustrated when we let these issues become divisive.

The odd thing is I would probably have difficulty living in a Mennonite community. Perhaps I would get frustrated with what I would perceive to be legalistic issues. But I love the priority placed on the idea that the gospel speaks to us in terms of community and am pleased with that heritage.