Photo Source: http://bvapush.pbworks.com/f/american-flag.jpg
Last week in our online Bible Study experience at the church I serve, we explored the topic, “What Makes a Baptist a Baptist?” Based principally on Walter Shurden’s book, The Baptist Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms. Since the start of the year I’ve been trying to re-introduce and explore the foundations of the Christian Faith particularly from a Baptist perspective. My sense is that people generally don’t have a firm grasp on the underpinnings of the Faith. The teaching last week made some headway in providing that. My prayer and plan is that one day I’ll also be able to offer some ecumenical and even interfaith studies at the church. I did a little of this already last year, in bringing Quakers to my Baptist Church to share their story & traditions with us and a deluge of quizzical reactions ensued. Undeterred, I’ll continue to carefully broaden horizons by studying the traditions of others and one of the Christian denominations that I’d like to study is the Mennonites.
According to Wikipedia, “The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations …known as one of the historic peace churches because of their commitment to nonviolence.”
Their nonviolent and pacifist commitments are amongst their most well-known characterizations. What I did not know was the extent to which that commitment goes. I learned recently that it is common practice at many Mennonite Colleges not to play the National Anthem at college sporting events as a public expression of their nonconformity with military service and church/state union. I’ve heard the National Anthem described in some Mennonite circles as the “War Song.”
It made me mentally revisit the lyrics of The Star Spangled Banner written by the Marylander, Francis Scott Key. The song speaks of a perilous fight, rockets, bombs bursting in air and the additional verses speak of the gloom of the grave, blood washing the floor, and of course near the end is a head-nod to The Divine when it says, “And this be our motto: in God is our trust.” (Somehow I missed all that when I heard Whitney Houston sang it like it’s never been sang before – complete with a flyover of F-16 fighter jets!) After being “re-introduced” to the song in this way, it was completely understandable why the Mennonites have historically stood against it.
But apparently that’s changing at Goshen College, the private Christian Mennonite school, and it’s causing quite a disturbance in the Mennonite community. Bowing to external pressure, Goshen’s president, Jim Brenneman, has made the decision to play an instrumental version of the National Anthem at select sporting events and to follow it with prayer.
Check out this reaction by my friends at Jesus Radicals entitled, “Goshen College: Hurting the Church Bit by Bit.” They’re also asking folks to sign on to a letter of resistance directed toward Goshen. Check it out.
I wanted to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you book marked to check out new stuff you post…
After looking into a number of the blog articles on your website, I honestly appreciate your technique of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
This site was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Cheers!
You’re so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through something like that before. So good to find another person with genuine thoughts on this issue. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality!
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something regarding this.
I’ll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Greeting from over the sea. Great post I will return for more.
I adored your helpful site. brilliant stuff. I hope you produce others. I will continue watching
I really enjoy the article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
[...] relationships with other bloggers. Check out this extremely well-written trackback tutorial Permalink [...]
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
EeHZbY Looking forward to reading more. Great article post. Really Great.
Someone necessarily lend a hand to make significantly articles I might state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular put up amazing. Great activity!
Wow you website really good. Value I to see the hope can with. Very often I come and see you through any new story is my greatest happiness ha ha a little humor. Thank you oh
May I simply say what a comfort to discover someone who essentially realizes exactly what they may be discussing on the internet. You certainly can bring a problem to light and make it important. Even more people need to read it all and comprehend it all side of the story. I cannot believe you are not very popular because you absolutely have the gift.
I savour, lead to I discovered just what I was having a look for. You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Completely understand what your stance in this matter. Though I’d disagree on some of the finer particulars, I feel you did an awesome job explaining it. Sure beats having to analysis it on my own. Thanks. Anyway, in my language, there aren’t much good supply like this.
I used to be more than happy to find this net-site.I needed to thanks on your time for this glorious learn!! I undoubtedly enjoying each little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.
I used to be basically browsing for useful blogs just for a undertaking exploration as soon as i happened upon yours. Thanks for the practical tips!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to find any individual with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that is wanted on the internet, somebody with just a little originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the web!
hi!,I really like your writing very a lot! percentage we be in contact extra about your article on AOL? I require an expert in this space to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Taking a look forward to peer you.
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!