Peter Riedemann's Hutterite Confession of Faith

by Riedemann, Peter; Friesen, John J.; Friesen, John J.; Hutterite Brethren

• ISBN13: 9780836131222
• ISBN10: 0836131223
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-04-01
• Publisher: Herald Pr

Summary

This series makes available in English the primary works of major Anabaptist figures of the 16th century as well as the writings of other religious thinkers who influenced or shed light on the Anabaptist movement.

While in prison during 1540-42, Riedemann writes for the Lutheran ruler, Philip of Hesse. He creatively weaves together a fresh reading of the Bible with the classical creeds. Riedemann produces a powerful synthesis of Scripture and tradition on which to base Christian community. His dynamic vision of radical and communal discipleship still challenges believers toward a greater faithfulness to the Lord and to each other.

Riedemann's Confession gives theological grounding for the Hutterite understanding of economic communalism and offers practical examples. It still guides Hutterite communities.

Here is John J. Friesen's English translation of the 1565 German edition in which he offers a new history of Riedemann. Volume 9.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations	10	(1)
General Editor's Preface	11	(1)
Translator-Editor's Preface	12	(2)
Map of Central Europe	14	(1)
Map of Moravia and Slovakia	15	(1)
Depiction of Peter Riedemann	16	(1)
Ivan Moon
Introduction	17	(2)
Silesia: Riedemann's Early Life and Influences	19	(6)
Gmunden: First Imprisonment	25	(4)
Arrival in Moravia	29	(1)
Tirolean Anabaptism: Formation and Background	29	(5)
Missioner to Franconia	34	(2)
In Moravia	36	(3)
Missioner to Hesse	39	(2)
Brief Return to Moravia	41	(1)
Missioner to Hesse Again	41	(1)
Leader of Hutterites in Moravia	42	(3)
Textual History of Riedemann's Confession of Faith	45	(1)
Overview of the Confession of Faith	46	(5)
Dates for Riedemann and Hutterite Origins	51	(6)
Title Page of the 1565 Edition	52	(2)
First Page of the Preface, from the 1565 Edition	54	(1)
Confession of Our Religion, Teaching, and Faith By the Brothers Who Are Known as the Hutterites
Through Peter Riedemann
Preface	55	(2)
Part 1: Now Follows the Confession of Our Faith, Teaching, and Way of Life	57	(100)
The Apostles' Creed	59	(25)
We Confess God	59	(1)
The Almighty Father	60	(1)
Our Father	61	(1)
Who Has Made Heaven and Earth	62	(1)
We Believe in God, Our Almighty Father	63	(1)
We Also Confess Jesus Christ, God's Only Begotten Son	64	(1)
Jesus	65	(1)
Christ	65	(1)
Only Begotten	65	(1)
Son	66	(1)
We Confess That Christ Is Lord	66	(1)
Our Lord	67	(1)
Conceived of the Holy Spirit	68	(1)
Born of the Virgin Mary	69	(1)
Suffered Under Pilate, Crucified, Died, Buried	69	(1)
Descended into Hell	70	(1)
On the Third Day Arose from the Dead	71	(1)
Ascended, Seated at the Father's Right Hand	71	(1)
From There He Will Come to Judge	72	(1)
We Also Believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord	73	(2)
We Confess the Holy Spirit	75	(1)
We Believe in the Holy Spirit	76	(1)
The Spirit Gathers One Holy, Christian Church	76	(1)
What the Church Is	77	(1)
How One Is Led to the Church	78	(1)
Community of Saints	79	(2)
Forgiveness of Sins	81	(1)
Resurrection of the Body	82	(1)
Eternal Life	82	(2)
Faith, Creation, and the Fall into Sin	84	(11)
What Faith Is	84	(1)
Source of Faith	85	(1)
Doctrine	85	(1)
Arrangement of Doctrine	86	(1)
What We Teach About God	87	(1)
Idolatry	87	(1)
Why God Created Humankind	88	(1)
God Created Humankind in His Image	89	(1)
What God's Image Is	89	(1)
The Likeness of the Devil	90	(1)
How Adam Fell into Sin	90	(2)
What Sin Is	92	(1)
Original Sin	92	(1)
What Original Sin Is	92	(1)
Harm Caused by Original Sin	93	(2)
How People Again May Find God and His Grace	95	(24)
Remorse	95	(1)
Repentance	96	(1)
People Are Grafted into Christ	96	(2)
God's Covenant	98	(1)
The Old Covenant	98	(1)
The Law	99	(1)
The Gospel	100	(1)
The New Covenant	101	(1)
Infant Baptism	102	(1)
Alleged Reasons for Infant Baptism, with Responses	103	(6)
The Baptism of Christ and His Church	109	(1)
The Manner of Baptizing, or How One Baptizes	110	(1)
Who May Teach and Baptize	111	(1)
Elections	112	(1)
Differences in the Offices	113	(1)
Concerning Abuse of the Lord's Supper	113	(3)
The Lord's Supper	116	(3)
The Christian Way of Life	119	(38)
Community of Goods	119	(3)
Separation from the World	122	(2)
About Temples and Why We Do Not Attend Them	124	(1)
Why We Do Not Associate with Priests	125	(2)
Marriage	127	(2)
Adultery	129	(1)
Government	130	(1)
Why Government Has Ben Established	131	(1)
Whether Rulers Can Be Christians	132	(2)
Warfare	134	(2)
Taxes	136	(1)
Making Swords	137	(1)
Making Clothes	137	(1)
Whether a Christian Can Go to Court, Sit in Judgment	138	(1)
Swearing	139	(4)
Greeting	143	(1)
Shaking Hands and Embracing	144	(1)
Prayer	144	(2)
Singing	146	(1)
Fasting	147	(1)
Celebrating	148	(1)
Buying and Selling	149	(1)
Innkeepers	149	(1)
Drinking Toasts	150	(1)
Meetings	150	(1)
Education of Children	151	(1)
Church Discipline	152	(1)
Reacceptance	153	(1)
The Whole Life, Conduct, Adornment of Christians	154	(3)
Part 2: The God of Grace and His Separated People	157	(73)
How God Desires to Have a People Whom He Has Separated from the World and Chosen to Be His Bride	159	(12)
How the House of the Lord Is Built Up in Christ, and How in This House Separation Shall be Perfected	171	(10)
Concerning the Covenant of Grace Given to God's People	181	(18)
Concerning the Last Supper of Our Lord Jesus	199	(5)
Concerning Oaths, About Which There Is Much Controversy	204	(9)
Concerning Governmental Authority and Its Service	213	(15)
Conclusion of This Book	228	(2)
Notes to the Introduction	230	(10)
Bibliography	240	(3)
Index of Names and Places	243	(3)
Scripture Index	246	(15)
The Translator and Editor	261	(2)
Endorsements	263