Issue 13 Spring 2019

Be ye doers of
the Word and
not hearers
only...
James 1:22

Championing a Faith that Works

In This Issue:
“Taming the Tongue” - Austin Hege
“Resurrection Power” - Andrew V. Ste. Marie
“On The War Front: Fishing for Men in Chile” - Jeff Byler
“The Importance of the Resurrection” - Milo Zehr
“Call To Service: Salt & Light, USA” - Clyde Zimmerman
 Letter from the Editor
“Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” – Judges 4:14 NIV
With each issue of Anabaptist Voice we realize how much we are dependent on the power of the Lord. If God
has not gone ahead of us, the issue will come together only with our own measly efforts. But if the Lord answers
our prayers as he did the trembling fears of Gideon with the words, “I will be with you” (Judges 6:16), we too can be
assured that our efforts will be blessed by God.
With this issue we have launched a trial review effort to help us improve AV before it goes to print. Various ones
involved in the production process are invited to fill out sheets for items of their choosing. Here are the seven questions
we are asking on the review sheet:
1. Will most people read it?
2. Is it positive? Does it show the right way?
3. Does it appeal to the Bible as the final authority?
4. Does it encourage biblical obedience?
5. Does it have practical applications?
6. Is the meaning clear? (What is the purpose of the article?)
7. Does the article interest you?
Help us better serve the Lord and our readers by answering these seven questions on a particular item in this issue
and send it to us. You may add any comments you feel are appropriate.
A new feature included in this issue is “Round Table Discussion.” The aim is to foster open exchange where different
views of an issue can be discussed (pg. 34).
Doctrinal articles full of practical applications in this issue will challenge you to live out your faith.
• “Taming the Tongue.”
• “The Importance of the Resurrection.”
• “Resurrection Power.”
The power of the resurrection and a living faith is not meant to be hidden under a bushel basket, but is meant to
be many beacons of light shining throughout the world. In this issue we are happy to feature three articles about the
ongoing witness of Anabaptists.
• “Turning the Other Cheek,” a past witness from Manitoba, Canada.
• “Fishing for Men in Chile,” a witness far, far south.
• “SALT & LIGHT, USA,” a witness in the USA.
We had hoped that most of you would have received this issue before Easter Sunday. We did not make it. But we
are assured that the focus on the resurrection in this issue is timely every Lord’s Day of the year when we celebrate
this central event of our faith with a day of rest and worship.

Peace,

James G. Landis

Send all responses, articles and questions to: Send donations and/or subscription info to:
AV Editor AV Production Team
5282 Highway 56 South 3287 Hwy. 201
Waynesboro, GA 30830 Due West, SC 29639
editor@anabaptistvoice.com subscriptions@anabaptistvoice.com
www.anabaptistvoice.com www.anabaptistvoice.com
Table of Contents
The symbol indicates a recurring feature in Anabaptist Voice.

Letter from the Editor......................................................................... 2

About Anabaptist Voice....................................................................... 4
Our Readers Write............................................................................... 5
Taming the Tongue.............................................................................. 8
Proverbs on the Tongue.................................................................... 11
On the War Front: Fishing for Men in Chile................................... 12
Daniela’s Letter of Praise & Thanksgiving...................................... 16
The Importance of the Resurrection............................................... 18
Awake, Awake, O Earth!................................................................... 19
Resurrection Power........................................................................... 20
Did He Rise?....................................................................................... 22
Call to Service: Salt & Light, USA.................................................... 23
Rubies & Diamonds........................................................................... 27
Atonement Responses....................................................................... 28
Wheat and Nonresistance................................................................. 29
Turning the Other Cheek................................................................. 30
The Story of "The Conquest Series"................................................. 32
Round Table Discussion................................................................... 34
The Practical Side.............................................................................. 37
The Practical Side: Reader Responses.......................................... 37
The Practical Side: The Rest of the Story..................................... 39
The Practical Side: New Stories.................................................... 40
Upcoming Events............................................................................... 42
Circulation & Financial Statements................................................ 43
Proverbs Illustrated........................................................................... 43

Statement of Copyrights & Credits

Anabaptist Voice is not copyrighted, let no one do so. It is to be used in any way that builds the Kingdom of Christ. If any material
is reprinted, recognition should be given to Anabaptist Voice and the writer or artist.
All images & drawings contained herein are labeled for unrestricted use, free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0 or
used with permission from the creator.
Listed below are credits to various Bible translations used in producing this issue of Anabaptist Voice.
AVU — Authorized Version Update, Public Domain
CEV — Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995 by American Bible Society.
GW — God’s Word Translation, Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations.
ICB — International Children’s Bible, Copyright 2015 by Tommy Nelson.
KJV — King James Version, Public Domain.
NASB — New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1968. New Century Version of NASB, Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
NIRV — New International Reader’s Version, Copyright 2014 by Biblica, Inc.
NKJV — New King James Version, Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
NLT — New Living Translation, Copyright 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
NLV — New Life Version, Copyright 1969 by Christian Literature International.
WEB — World English Bible, Public Domain.
 About Anabaptist Voice
Our Mission Statement: Our Finances:
We want Anabaptist Voice to be a servant to the churches of There is no set subscription price for Anabaptist Voice. We
Jesus Christ. We choose the name “Anabaptist” as a fitting term appreciate donations from those who wish to support the work.
to describe an obedient “people of God” in our generation. We To assure an informed supporter base, each issue will
follow the example of the historic Anabaptists who sought to contain a statement giving the number of copies printed and
obey the teachings of Christ and the apostles, but we do not distributed, the total costs for the previous issue, and the
idolize Anabaptists nor historic Anabaptism. We follow Christ. amount of donations received.

Our Purpose: Our Organization:

To interpret Scripture in a simple childlike way, and to apply The AV Editor is responsible for assuring that Anabaptist
Bible teaching to the lives of living saints. Voice adheres to the stated purpose, securing writers, and
proper copy editing. The AV Production Team is responsible
for design, layout, printing, subscriptions, and all financial
Our Tone:
matters.
The tone of the magazine shall be positive in that:
At present, Anabaptist Voice is choosing to be free of
• it presents the right way when it decries the wrong way.
government regulations and control as much as possible. We
• it presents the truth when it warns of the untruth.
are not registered with any federal or state government body.
Our motto shall be words from Isaiah 30:21. We are not a 501(c)3 organization; individual contributions are
Whenever you turn to the right hand not tax deductible. Those who give to Anabaptist Voice through
Or whenever you turn to the left, the local church may obtain a tax deduction.
You shall hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it.”
Our Audience:
Our primary target audience is anyone associated with an
Our Bible Translation Policy: Anabaptist church. We define an Anabaptist church as one
All Scriptures quoted will be in either the KJV or the NKJV that practices a follower-of-Jesus baptism, maintains actual
translations unless otherwise specified. applications of Bible truths, and one where a close-knit,
We respect the specific preference of a writer who wishes disciplined brotherhood exists among the believers.
to use other translations for his article. Our secondary target audience is those not familiar with
Anabaptist churches but are searching the Scriptures for truth.

Some Historic Tenets of Anabaptism:

In order to provide clarity about who we are, Anabaptist Voice lists some historic Anabaptist beliefs and practices we believe
are still valid today.
1. God accepted Jesus’ death on the cross as an atonement for the sins of the whole world. Thus the blood of Jesus enables each
person to be acceptable to God when he repents of his sin and surrenders himself to King Jesus. This initial commitment
is followed by obedience to the commands of Christ which gives the disciple assurance of his right standing before God.
“Salvation” is not just a one-time event but a life-long experience.
2. Adult believer’s baptism signifies a commitment to follow Christ as His disciple in His Kingdom.
3. The teachings of Christ and the apostles in the New Testament are to be put into practice. The Sermon on the Mount
and the Sermon on the Plain are the heart of Christ’s Kingdom teaching for His disciples.
4. Anabaptists recognize the church as Christ’s Kingdom on the earth.
5. Faithful obedience to the commands of Christ often brings persecution upon us.
6. The world (all who do not obey God) is evil and under the sway of Satan.
7. Our earthly conduct determines our eternal destiny. True faith must result in obedience that will be rewarded in heaven.
Evil works prove a lack of faith in God and will result in eternal punishment.
8. Kingdom disciples do not participate in the civil government or “serve” in the military.

4 | About Anabaptist Voice

 Our Readers Write
Policy Note: Email letters to Anabaptist Voice are encouraged. All letters must be accompanied by the
writer’s full name and physical address (not a PO Box). If the letter is printed in the magazine, only the
writer’s initials and state will be attached to the comments. If you send AV a letter, we assume the right to
use any part of the letter we deem of interest to our readers. AV will try to be courteous in acknowledging
all letters. - AV Editor

Sound and Singing ago, he suggested a lot easier solution: Put a large sign at
the front of the auditorium that reads “SING LOUDER.”
I am writing in response to the question in AV11, page 20, That may actually work for a smaller room with austere
“What factors make good acoustics for a meeting room?” surfaces, but probably not for what we had. In our case, we
From the article that produced this question I had to change a few distances and smooth out a number
understand that by “good acoustics” we are talking of rough and textured surfaces—or continue to lose our
about acoustics that are good for singing. The meeting voice to our surroundings. We chose to make the changes.
house in Virginia where I attended as a child was good R.M. | California
for singing with its hard, high ceiling and its hard,
smooth walls and floor and benches. But as soon as the
closing prayer was over, the room erupted with happy
noises. I appreciate meeting rooms where acoustics
favor singing, but some prefer rooms where the drop of Inspiring
every baby bottle and the cry of every baby are subdued. We enjoy every copy of AV, and are sharing them with
If better singing is the goal, your suggestions to rip others in the Netherlands. We would love to continue to
out the carpet and make a hard ceiling are excellent. receive our copy, and therefore would like to inform you
As a rule the thicker, the harder, and the smoother of our address change.
the surface, the better for singing. It is hard to beat We express much gratitude for the effort you put into
concrete for a good surface, but for thinner and less getting such inspiring material to us.
rigid surfaces like drywall and paneling, what lies
behind the surface is also important. Two layers of 1/2” T.C.M. | Netherlands
drywall are better than a single layer, and 16” framing
is better than 24”. This is because the thinner panels,
when allowed some flexibility, absorb much of the bass
through vibrating, as do larger panels of window glass. Open Dialogue
And if you must use carpet, the thinner the weave the
We appreciate the open dialogue in AV. If we are
better, and the less padding underneath the better.
earnestly seeking the truth, we will never be intimidated
High walls and ceilings make for better singing for a by someone else’s contribution.
different reason. When our song travels ten to fifteen
The Atonement in 100 Words
feet from mouth to wall or ceiling, then back to the ear,
it fuels our subconscious singing by telling us where The atonement of Christ’s blood is the means toward
we are at and how we are doing. And it’s better if the an end, not an end in itself. The process of reconciliation
feedback is not all straight back but mixed with voices begins with faith, repentance, and baptism on the part
from across the room—hence the preference for a vaulted of the sinner. After obedience, the Lord pours in His oil
ceiling to provide more of a “group” feedback. Ideally of healing, which is the blood of the Lamb, by the power
12-foot walls with an 18-foot ceiling center would be best. of the Holy Spirit.
But if I had to choose between proper distances God does not waste one drop of blood on non-
with soft surfaces versus austere surfaces with low walls repentant unbelievers. However, the efficacy of the
and ceiling, I would choose the latter. Experience propitiation is made actual for anyone in the whole world
suggests that closer distances are more likely to be who would believe.
“sung through” by joyful voices than are soft surfaces. Reconciliation places man back at the beginning
When I showed our local electrician the changes to our where Adam was before the fall.
ceiling and wall height we were planning a little over a year K.H. | Indiana

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Our Readers Write | 5

Our Readers Write

Different Voices Heard writer misses the point that the first day of the week began
For the last three-and-a-half years I have been reading at sunset on the Sabbath evening.
AV. I come from an Anabaptist setting. I have enjoyed We are not understanding something correctly if we
reading the different voices being heard. I know I don’t think Jesus was not literally in the tomb for three days
have the answers on some of the different things I read. and three nights (AV09, page 41). “Easter Amiss” gives a
One thing I do know is that I love Jesus and want to keep possible explanation of how Jesus could have been in the
serving Him! tomb for exactly 72 hours. This is an important point if
My wife and I are moving to Indiana to be closer to we believe in the exact fulfillment of the Scripture.
my children, so I wanted to give you the new address. D.H. | Ohio
Issue #11 was the last one I got. Thank you in advance.
A.H. | Virginia

Loving Too Much!

My response to the letter, “Who Do I Love Least?”
(AV12, page 6)
Truth in All Things
I really appreciate how AV works at making Scripture
It is well to admit that we are not always perfectly practical to our daily lives. I like the quote, “We cannot
right, but once someone points out the truth to us, we love God anymore than the person I love the least” (AV11,
have no excuse not to embrace the truth and adjust our page 34). “And the King shall answer and say unto them,
lives to it. That is the only logical way to respond. ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto
The question of “under penalty of perjury” is, as I the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’”
realize, a new thought to many people and I am well (Matthew 25:40). This verse tells me that how I treat my
aware how people usually respond to new thoughts. I brother is how I am treating God. If I show very little
also realize how unpopular it is to bring up new thoughts love to my brother, I am showing very little love to God.
on scriptural subjects. Based upon this, the quote is both true and scriptural.
The men and women in Martyrs Mirror gladly died for Another thought-provoking question one brother
things we don’t seem to care about anymore. The teaching asked another brother: “Can I love my wife too much?”
that to “affirm to tell the truth” on legal documents The brother responded with another question: “Can
violates the gospel standard that says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be Jesus love His church too much?”
‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Anything beyond this comes
The first brother had to admit, “No, Jesus can’t love
from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). Would the martyrs
His church too much.”
have been willing to die for this? More importantly, are
we willing to stand by the truth? The second brother responded, “Then neither can
you love your wife too much because Ephesians 5:25
It seems it was very important that Old Testament
says, ‘Husbands love your wives even as Christ loved
prophecies on the Messiah were accurate. For example,
the church.’ ”
when Moses smote the rock instead of speaking to it,
he was not allowed to enter the promised land. We When Jesus gave the first two most important
think that surely such a small offense should not have commands in Scripture (Matthew 22:36-40), it seems
barred him from the promised land. But God makes no like He was saying, “If you love me with all your heart,
mistakes. The water coming out of the rock symbolized all your soul, all your mind,” this love will be manifested
the Messiah. He was smitten one time, but He will not by how you love your neighbor as yourself.
be smitten the second time. Hence by his disobedience, God is love (I John 4:16). When we are full of God
Moses distorted the prophecy. God considered it a (Ephesians 3:19) it will be very evident in how we love
serious offense. others.
Is it possible that God, all through the Old Testament, “Be ye therefore followers (imitators) of God as dear
could be so precise but when Jesus said He would be children, and walk in love, even as Christ hath loved us”
three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, He (Ephesians 5:1-2).
was speaking only in general terms of “about three days
E.S. | Ohio
and three nights”? (See AV10, page 38 “He Arose.”) This

6 | Our Readers Write

 Interesting and Edifying Open Discussion
I would like to subscribe for one year to Anabaptist I favor printing and openly debating differing ideas.
Voice. There are some issues that have been “debated” for
I am a member of an Old Order Amish group and centuries, and will not be agreed upon by all until we
saw this magazine at one of my neighbors. I found it clearly see God’s actual plan. That will not happen with
interesting and edifying. the minds we have here on this earth.

Thank you! Those ideas (Zionism, for instance, and the whole
Sabbath-keeping application) we could leave alone, and
B.K. | Indiana agree to disagree. That way the reader can write what
he likes; then AV can print the “opposing” viewpoints
faithfully and verbatim.
It can be very cumbersome to attempt to print only
Good Point exact “party line” material, especially when there are
differences in the party!
On page 13 of AV 12, the author lists six ways from the
Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 where Jesus raised A.R. | South Carolina
the bar in His new kingdom. Related to verse 33, he says,
“Do not swear falsely.” Was that not the standard in the
Old Testament, while Jesus’ new command was to “swear
not at all...”
Blessings!
Know History
O.M. | Arkansas
Thank you, brother, for your pleasant response to the
article I submitted to AV.
I will be looking for a chance to purchase those new
books you mentioned. May God raise up many more
who will take up the pen and provide literature that is
Informative beneficial to the rising generation. Politically correct
We would like to be put on your mail subscription list. society attempts to rewrite history to fit their agenda,
but we as believers need to know our past so as to better
We are very new at being Mennonite and we have
equip us to serve the present age.
found this very informative. It is also refreshing to see
others who believe in our same way. Thank you so much R.F. | Tennessee
for providing us with good literature! Anabaptist Voice: The brother is referring to “The
T.P.F. | Arkansas Conquest Series: American history through Indian eyes."
Currently five books in the series are available from T.G.S.
International. For more information call (330) 893-4828.
See story on pg. 32.

Varied Perspectives
I have been blessed by Anabaptist Voice. I normally
like to read through the entire magazine.  Some sections
are more appealing to me than others, but I value the
varied perspectives and have found the magazine to be Thought-Provoking
an inspiration. I really enjoyed reading Betty Heatwole’s report “On
I also appreciate the quality materials and layout of the The War Front: In Iraq” (AV12, page 22). “The Practical
magazine.  The magazine is both durable and aesthetically Side: New Stories” – “No Rules,” and “Extra Power
pleasing.   We like to keep our old magazines around for Darkness” are both very practical and thought-provoking
rereading and reference later. (AV12, page 40).
M.S. | South Carolina M.C.B. | Virginia

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Our Readers Write | 7

 Taming the Tongue
by Austin Hege

“If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect My Words

man.” – James 3:2 If the words I used this past week were scrolled across
Text: James 3:1-18 a giant screen for me to see, would I be pleased with all of
them? If I compare my words with James 3:17, how do
Purpose Statement my words measure up? “The wisdom that is from above
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full
To create an awareness of the power and danger of the
of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without
tongue and to give guidance on how to control it.
hypocrisy.” If I were to think how God sees all of my
spoken words, would He be pleased?
Themes to Develop:
Or would I be ashamed of my words? Did some words
1. An unruly, careless tongue can make your
reflect pride, envy, hatred, self-will? Would I look on
spiritual life ineffective.
God’s screen and see backbiting words of slander and
2. The words we speak reflect what is in our
gossip? Would words flit across the screen showing lies,
hearts.
hatred, envy, and pride? How many words that I spoke
3. We will have to answer for the words we speak.
last week would I like to delete or black out?
4. God must help tame our tongue.
We must recognize where evil words come from.
Conclusion The Bible calls Satan a liar, a murderer, an accuser of
To be perfect, Christians must tame the tongue. the brethren. When we use our tongues in an ungodly
manner, Satan is in control of us and the fire that burns is
Introduction a consuming fire lit in hell itself. Thus we might say the
unsanctified tongue is a taste of hell on earth.
Throughout the centuries, mankind has invented
many dangerous and terrifying weapons—machine This passage from James 3 and this message talk about
guns, cannons, tanks, bombs, chemical weapons, nuclear the seriousness of an uncontrolled tongue, the need to
weapons. Such weapons of mass destruction can quickly have our hearts sanctified, and to have our tongues
destroy large numbers of people, buildings, bridges, and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
roads along with the water and power systems mankind
depends on. Many who have survived modern warfare
are scared and scarred for life.
As I thought about how deadly and destructive the
untamed, unsanctified tongue of man has been down
through the ages of time, I came to the conclusion that
the tongue is far more dangerous than the world’s most
deadly weapon. The unsanctified tongue has destroyed
lives, friendships, nations, churches, and even a godly
witness in communities—and is still destructive today.
In James 3:1-18, the apostle James shares with
his brethren and with us, how serious a matter the
unsanctified and untamed tongue is. He pleads with
his hearers to gain control of their tongues before they
“A great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
destroy others with them. Many of us would never think
of taking part in such wicked things as swearing, lying,
using drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine or A Careless Tongue Defiles Our Life
feeding on pornography. Yet I wonder if we realize how
sinful and repulsive to God an unsanctified tongue is. In James 3:6 it says, “The tongue is a fire, a world of
iniquity.” Fire consumes, destroys, disfigures, and divides.
The unsanctified tongue does all these things as well.

8 | Taming the Tongue

 Verse six goes on to say, “The tongue is so set among
our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire
the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” Many
sins a man commits are at least partly connected to his
tongue. It contaminates the whole body; it poisons us
spiritually.
If we are guilty of a loose tongue, it will render all our
religion (good works) worthless. We might be:
• the most active in reaching the lost.
• faithful in providing for our families.
• a good manager of our business and time.
• good teachers of the Bible.
• giving generously to charities and donating to
“We put bits into the mouths of horses.”
the poor.
• friendly to our neighbors and helping others in
need. But soap on the tongue will not have a lasting effect unless
In James 1:26 we find, “If anyone among you thinks he the heart is also cleansed. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34-35,
is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good
his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” James is not things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaking to the heathen around them, he writes, “among speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
you,” or to those within the church. brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil
treasure brings forth evil things.”
What James means is that you can give everything you
have for what you believe is right—your home, your farm, Loose, careless, evil talk can only come from an evil,
your finances—and you may even die for your faith, but unclean heart. You can blame evil speech on others—
if your tongue is spewing out bitter, unkind, acid words, maybe on your upbringing—but that will not be an
you are deceived. All your works will profit you nothing. excuse God will accept.
It is all in vain. Taming the tongue is a heart issue. Jesus made that
clear when He said that the mouth speaks out of the
Spoken Words Reflect Our Hearts. abundance of the heart. If I walk away after angry words
When I was young, a boy close to my age would get his with a brother or sister who disagrees with me, can I claim
mouth washed out with soap whenever he said something to possess in my heart the same love my Lord displayed
evil in nature. No doubt the procedure had an impact on toward His enemies?
the boy’s life; maybe it helped him overcome a bad habit. A tongue that quarrels with others, complains, gossips,
tells hurtful jokes, and attacks the character of others
points to a heart problem. It is not just a little weakness;
it proves there is something of hell-fire smoldering inside
us.
If we are spewing hateful things from our mouth, we
have an evil treasure stored in us. Just as a poisonous
snake has sacks of poison stored behind his jaw, so it is if
deadly poison is stored in the recesses of our heart. When
angry, or in an unguarded moment, poisoned words will
come out because our hearts are not sanctified.

We Will Answer for Our Spoken Words

The judgment day is coming. In Matthew 12:36-37
Jesus says, “I say to you, that for every idle word men may
speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified and by your words
“Large ships are steered by a very small rudder.” you will be condemned.” If we do not want our words

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Taming the Tongue | 9

 to condemn us when the judgment day comes, we must That is how we can be with our tongues, at times.
deal with them now. The alternative is for our words to Maybe we drop a bit of gossip about someone’s sinful past,
follow after us to the judgment. then sit back and enjoy watching those words destroy
Did you ever have the Holy Spirit whisper softly to his character in the eyes of others. It may even cause the
you not to say any more; to refrain from speaking certain target of the slander to turn away from following Christ.
things that came to your mind? We must give heed to So I ask, how many fires has my tongue or your tongue
those warnings. We must desire Jesus’ cleansing work in started? How many such gossip fires, inward curses, and
our hearts so our tongues may speak in ways that bless unkind words will we carry with us to the judgment day?
and honor our Father in heaven.
James 3:9-10 speaks of God’s attitude toward a person Only God Can Tame Tongues.
with a divided tongue, a tongue that speaks both blessings James 3:8 says, “No man can tame the tongue. It is an
and curses. Out of the one side of the mouth comes unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” How does God expect
blessings for God. Out of the other side come curses for us to tame our tongue when He says no man can do it?
men. “With it [the tongue] we bless our God and Father, God will help us tame our tongues. We must
and with it we curse men, who have been made in the remember that according to Matthew 19:26, “With God
similitude [likeness] of God. Out of the same mouth all things are possible.”
proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things
ought not to be so.” The Holy Spirit is our trainer. He will help us break
our wild, unruly tongue.
I understand the Greek word for curse means “to tear
down, to bring one down, to denounce as evil.” That is When Isaiah found himself in the very presence of
what it means to curse our fellowman. There are many God, he was convicted of having unclean lips. “‘Woe is
ways to do this without placing a direct curse upon me!’ [I cried,] ‘for I am undone! Because I am a man of
another person. unclean lips … for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord
of hosts’” (Isaiah 6:5). That is the way it works with us.
Psalm 62:4 speaks of another kind of curse, an inward The closer we find ourselves to God, the more sinful our
curse. “They bless with their mouth, but they curse sins become and the more unworthy we feel.
inwardly.” Maybe sometimes we keep from speaking
our thoughts, but inwardly a fire burns. Are we guilty God made a way to cleanse Isaiah’s lips. A seraph
before God, at times, of cursing inwardly? God expects a took a hot live coal from off the altar and placed it upon
much higher standard of us than that of heaping inward Isaiah’s lips. Then the seraph said, “Your iniquity is taken
curses upon others. In Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:28 Jesus away, and your sin purged.” God’s Word is a live coal.
said, “Bless those who curse you.” Romans 12:14 says, The Holy Ghost is the fire. God desires to put His fire to
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” our tongues to sanctify them. But this can only happen
when we desire to be sanctified (cleansed) and allow Him
We saw this past summer how much destruction to work in us.
can be caused by a little campfire when it burns out of
control. One California fire killed more than 100 people, The road to victory over sins of the tongue must start
burned 14,000 homes, and charred an area the size of with the same confession Isaiah made, “Woe is me. I am
Chicago. James 3:5b, “Behold how great a matter a little unclean.” Only then can God begin His cleansing work.
fire kindles,” points out that our tongues can be like that If you really want God to clean up every word that
California fire. Even though our tongues are very small comes out of your mouth, ask Him to purify your heart.
when used in the wrong way, they can do a lot of damage. Remember, the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the
God will judge those who use the tongue in the wrong heart. Ask God to convict you each time you are tempted
way. to say something careless, unkind, or untruthful. Then
You have probably heard of individuals who light a obey His voice when He speaks.
small fire in a building, then find a place to sit unnoticed It will help you guard your speech if, before you talk,
where they can watch the fire rapidly consume the entire you ask yourself the following questions:
building. We used to call such people “firebugs.” They • Why am I sharing this? (What is my motive?)
got a thrill out of watching buildings burn—and they did • What good or evil might it do?
not care what they destroyed or who got hurt. All they • Will it honor and glorify God?
cared about was satisfying their wicked desires. • How will it affect others?
• How will it affect my witness for Christ?

10 | Taming the Tongue

 • Would Jesus say it or share it? bitter [water] from the same opening?” And, “Can a fig
If we try to clean up our speech in our own strength tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?”
before we call on God to help clean up our heart, like The answer is the same in all three examples; it does not
Peter we will fall. When we do not confess our sin, it happen. Indeed, it cannot happen. Someone has said, “A
progressively gets worse as it did with Peter. cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of
1. First, he denied his friendship with Jesus. bitter water, however suddenly it is jolted” (taken from
2. Next, he denied his Lord with an oath. If, by Amy Carmichael, page 46). We are like that too. If
3. After that, he began to curse and swear. our hearts are brimful of good thoughts, there is no room
for evil thoughts. If there are only sweet thoughts in our
Peter was convicted and repented after he remembered hearts, no evil words will come out.
the words of Jesus. “Before the rooster crows, you will
deny me three times.” And the Scripture says he went Conclusion
out and wept bitterly. When we fail, we need to follow
Peter’s example. Let us allow God to sanctify our hearts and tongues
that we may speak forth blessings with words that
James 3:2 says, “If any man offend not in word, the encourage, build up, and strengthen; words that bring
same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole honor, glory, and praise to Almighty God; words of
body.” If you are struggling in other areas of your life, adoration, thankfulness, and love to the One who sits
check what is coming out of your mouth. If you seem on the throne … until He comes to take us to the holy
to be losing the battle, is it not because some poison is city where only kind and pure words will be spoken.
hidden within?
A.H. | Georgia
James 3:11-12 asks three thought-provoking
questions: “Does a spring send forth fresh water and

If you can control your tongue, you’ve got

your other problems licked!
L.W. | New York

Proverbs on the Tongue

Proverbs 10:20

When a good man speaks, he is worth listening to,

TLB but the words of fools are a dime a dozen.
What the righteous say is like the best silver,
NET but what the wicked think is of little value.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
NIV but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
What the righteous person says is like precious silver;
ISV the thoughts of the wicked are compared to small things.

The tongue of the righteous brings forth words of silver;

His words are worth waiting for and pondering over.
Be swift to hear, slow to speak.
But the babble of the wicked holds little to impart,
While his evil tongue shows what is in his heart.
- a paraphrase of Psalm 10:20

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Proverbs on the Tongue | 11

 On the War Front: Fishing for Men in Chile
by Jeff Byler

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The Chilean people are respectful, generally educated,
– Matthew 4:19 and for the most part have maintained more traditional
Greetings from Chile in the name of Him who loved values than we see in Western civilizations. The high
us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, our Andes mountains to the east,1 the driest desert in the
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. world to the north, the vast Pacific to the west, and the
Antarctic to the south have left this land relatively isolated
Jesus told His disciples that He would make them until modern times. Chilean law first allowed for divorce
fishers of men. Fishing is an interesting analogy for around 2006 and abortion is still not legalized.
evangelism. Sometimes fishing is good and sometimes
it is not so good. Roman Catholicism is still the predominant religion,
but according to polls, has lost almost half of its
Fishing for fish requires patience, technique, and then credibility. Abuses and cover-ups by priests and even
more patience. Even children can be good fishermen, higher leadership have left many adherents disillusioned
but catching that really big one can take a lot of wisdom. with religion. Even though about a quarter of the Chilean
Trout fishing even requires some subtlety and you better population is evangelical, they have failed to gain the
be ready for that once-in-a-lifetime chance to set the confidence of the majority of the people due to the advent
hook. of the “money gospel”
I have noticed that and inconsistent living.
people who catch a Over twenty percent
lot of fish go fishing of the population is
more frequently than I non-religious and a
do. I should fish more significant portion of
often, especially when this group is probably
it comes to fishing for agnostic or atheistic.
men. Not all fishing Our church is
holes are the same; located in the largest
the fishing is better city in our region,
in some spots than Coyhaique  (co’ ya cay),
others, which gives which has more than
me the opportunity to 50,000 inhabitants. The
introduce our “fishing” The Andes mountain range in Chile church here in Chile is
spot—Chile, South ten years old and has
America. just reached a point where we are thinking of starting a
If I am not mistaken, we have the honor of being the sister church. As of yet we have not settled on a definite
southern-most Mennonite church in the world. Southern location where we want to start a new congregation, but
Chile, where we are located, lies below the 45th latitude. we are thinking of somewhere within an hour’s driving
We live at about the same distance from the equator as time so we can share our school facility.
Portland, Oregon or Montreal, Canada. Since we are Our congregation appears to have reached some level
relatively close to the ocean—about 50 miles in a straight of stability. This stability comes from the base of sincere
line—we normally do not have extreme temperatures. Chilean and American brothers in the congregation,
Our lowest winter temperature has been about zero the unity of our goals, and our focus on practicing the
degrees Fahrenheit and the highest temperature has been teachings of the New Testament as closely as possible
about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures can without adding to or subtracting from them.
be as warm as 50°F and summer nights can be as cold
as 30°F. We get a lot of wind because very little land lies
below our latitude. Several feet of snow usually fall every 1  The highest peak in the Andes is Aconagua in Argentina at
year, but one year we had a full four feet. 22,838’ above sea level. The highest peak in the Rockies is Mt.
Elbert in Colorado at 14,440’ above sea level.

12 | On the War Front: Fishing for Men in Chile

 After the church was established with baptized local the traditional mission. The hope was to establish a group
believers, we drew up a confession of faith and practice of committed Kingdom workers who would support
which was affirmed by the congregation. Agreeing on themselves financially and give a living example of how
how to practice our faith in a foreign culture can be a a New Testament believer works and lives. Hopefully,
challenge. The church in Idaho was involved in this some of our children will continue this work.
process and was a big help to us. Experiences from other mission work inspired us to
Now there is a leadership body of three brethren, take this route. Our model is the “Lifetime Evangelization”
including myself. We have an instruction class of seven view of mission work that was used by William Carey,
planned to start later this month. Though we are not very Adoniram Judson, and later by conservative Mennonites
numerous, we thank God for the peace and unity we feel in Latin America. About 50 years ago some families
and think this may be a good time to reach out further. simply moved to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, El
We realize, however, that no matter how old, young, Salvador, Honduras, and Paraguay without any plans of
large, or small our church may be, its security rests in ever returning to the United States. Recently, Anabaptist
its dependence on Christ. Very large and very small churches have been started in Uruguay, Peru, and
churches alike succumb to division and failure without Columbia with this mission model.
Him. The church will hopefully continue for many Missions today appear to be using more short-term
generations, so the work of discipleship and evangelism workers and many of them are very young. Now many
should never end. The harvest truly is great, but we should teach the idea that a mission should start a work and
never be complacent about our growth in numbers or then turn it over as soon as possible to the local people;
slack in our teaching. this mission model supposedly follows the apostle
The Kootenai Valley Mennonite Church in Idaho Paul’s example. However, if we read the New Testament
began this work after ten brethren from there returned more carefully, we see a network of leaders visited these
from “spying out the land” in 2006. The focus of this churches on a regular basis. Neither were these churches
first trip was the area between Puerto Montt and Chile considered autonomous because some disputes were
Chico but after all of the traveling and exploring, the area settled in Jerusalem.
around Coyhaique was selected as the most favorable spot The other difference is that the areas Paul evangelized
for an outreach. This area has the largest population and often had Jewish converts who had a jump-start on
is the center of commerce for everyone within a 100-mile scriptural knowledge and ethics that probably allowed
radius. Add to this the fact that this region has mountains for a faster than normal pathway to leadership. Naturally,
and valleys reminiscent of our home in Idaho made it a we need to involve locals in leadership as quickly as they
natural choice for us all. can handle it, but more damage is caused by being too
In addition, this is where the particular “fishing” hasty than too cautious.
strategy that we are using comes into play. The vision for Assuming that missionaries are holding back locals
this mission was to be a hybrid between an outreach and is also a false assumption. Foreigners are often given a

Community of believers in Chile Beautiful and rugged with wide-open spaces

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 On the War Front: Fishing for Men in Chile | 13
 unique platform to present the gospel that is not given to Christian bookstore. The rest of us live in the country,
people of the same culture. Jesus said, “A Prophet is not some thirty minutes from church and town. Families
without honor except in his own country.” Quite possibly earn their bread by construction, farming, welding, and
many American Anabaptists can be more effective in a working in the café. We have five American families,
foreign country than their own; our experience in Chile three Chilean families, and some singles who attend our
has confirmed this. church regularly. Church attendance is usually a little
My question: Is this new short-term model for missions over fifty people.
based on actual long-term proof on a mission field, or is We are very grateful for the café because it has been
it based on the length of terms most mission groups are a blessing in many ways. The café was started to put
able to get commitments for? In some places where we a daily “face” to our church. We have had numerous
served years ago, local people seemed to have developed compliments on the Christian environment. It sparks
a cynicism toward friendships with volunteer workers a lot of questions about our beliefs and gives quite a
because they came to few opportunities
understand that these for inviting people to
relationships were very our church services.
temporary and soon It also provides a
forgotten. I believe the meeting place for
job of a mission worker those of us who live in
is to mentor and the country and need
enable local people; to pass time in town
one should become between shopping or
their brother, not their until church services
superior. Assuming begin. The café has
that staying long-term shelves of books and
hinders the work of Bibles for sale with a
God is an inaccurate large portion being
belief. Instead, it can written by Anabaptist
give a stabilizing and authors. Then there are
Fellowship over food, a key ingredient in community
visionary role for God’s the coffee, doughnuts,
work. cinnamon rolls, soup,
One desire I have in writing this article is to challenge sandwiches, and other trifles that attract those with more
Anabaptist people to consider settling a new area of the culinary interests.
world for the purpose of evangelization. This is necessary What is it like living in Chile long-term and what are
to keep the Anabaptist vision and belief vibrant and the challenges? I suppose the biggest challenge is finding
practical as well as to fulfill the great commission. Not social life for our youth. Thankfully, the café has brought
only is evangelization an offensive Kingdom work but it a number of youth to Chile from various parts of the USA
also helps keep up our defense against worldliness and to help serve. Nevertheless, we are very isolated from
spiritual atrophy. other Anabaptist churches; the next closest church to us is
One of our goals here in Chile is to develop relationships a full-day journey north in Puerto Octay. Tickets to Chile
and wait for the opportunity to present Christ. 1 Peter are very expensive and the journey usually takes over
2:12 says, “Having your conduct honorable among the twenty-four hours, so we do not get many visitors from
Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, the States. The fact that we live a half hour from town
they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify makes even fewer social opportunities for our family of
God in the day of visitation.” We are watching and praying four boys aged 12 through 20. (We have one married
for that moment of visitation when the ground is ready daughter in Idaho and their family plans to move here
to receive the precious seed. While we watch and pray, in August.)
we are developing relationships with Chileans as we go Another challenge here is the weather which is
about our work and looking for the times when hearts rather windy and chilly, no pun intended. Long winter
are open to the gospel. evenings and colder temperatures leave us battling with
Ted Byler and family live in town while Eli Shetlers the winter blues at times. But our Christian Chilean
live ten minutes out of town and manage the café/ brothers constantly encourage us with their faithfulness
and sincerity.

14 | On the War Front: Fishing for Men in Chile

 Every culture and generation seems to battle with pressure towards this ordinance where Chilean society
the practice of Bible ordinances and the spiritual truths views this as oppressive to women.
they represent. For first-generation Anabaptists, the Our goal is to establish an enduring Anabaptist church
ordinances of baptism and the spiritual truth of a new in Chile. If God wills, we will stay until the church is
birth were the battleground. Likewise, the ordinance of well established and see that our labor has not been in
communion and what it represents—the pure community vain. A good carpenter does not leave the job until his
of closely fellowshipping believers—was a battle for them work is done, unless the Master Carpenter calls him to
and still is today. another job.
In Chile, Mary-worship seems to have provoked a I recognize that modern mission organizations
venerated opinion of women and an almost disdainful must ask for two- or three-year commitments. But we
view of manhood. Women are in many leadership shouldn’t let this practice keep us from fulfilling the
positions, especially in evangelical churches where they complete commitment that God asks of each of us—stay
often take more prominent roles in church services than until God asks us to move on. It is also true that some
the men. Mothers are also often respected over fathers. are called for shorter terms or more specific tasks. But we
Men have often accepted an inactive role in family and should consider that when we think the job is completed,
church affairs. After years of attending our church, some God may just be starting to make us into effective and
have left simply because we believe that women should productive workers in His Kingdom. Maybe a great and
keep silent in the congregation, as the Scriptures teach. effectual door has just opened for us. Just remember:
One of our bigger spiritual challenges in Chile is In every situation it is required that a steward be found
teaching the headship covering, which is virtually faithful.
unheard of in Chilean churches. The ordinance of the I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to
women’s headship covering and what it represents, along pray for this work in Chile. Pray that we will not be
with the recognition of and submission to authority, has discouraged and that we would be good fishermen. Pray
been hard for many Chilean women to understand and that we would always put His Kingdom first and that the
accept. Several Chilean women in our group practice Holy Spirit would convict those dead in sin to turn to
this ordinance. A real societal persecution exists which the living God. Pray that we would not compromise the
they have to endure for their conviction. We admire our truth but that we might speak the truth in love. Finally,
Chilean sisters for their courage and willingness to stand please pray for all who are in authority as the Scriptures
out in a feministic society. It is our duty to hold them say, so “we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
up in prayer. Mennonites are raised with favorable peer godliness and reverence.”

The country-side of Coyhaique, Chile At the cafe on the outskirts of town

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 On the War Front: Fishing for Men in Chile | 15
 Daniela’s Letter of Praise & Thanksgiving
Daniela’s story as told in a letter to the sister church in Idaho. - Jeff Byler

Jesus said, “Go and tell John the things which you hear consisted of “ring implants.” We got a quote for the
and see: The blind receive their sight …” operation but discovered it was far beyond our means.
– Matthew 11:4-5 This finding was very difficult for me; it was even
more difficult for my husband. Israel wanted to give
I want to tell you some of my story. My name is
me everything I needed so that I could see well, but his
Daniela and I am 31 years old. Israel and I have now
salary was not enough for the operation. After realizing
been married for 10 years and have a family composed
I needed the expensive operation, we postponed all our
of three children—Javiera is nine years old, Dante is five
projects. Israel worked hard and we tried to save up
years old, and Grace is one year old.
money for the operation, but it wasn’t enough.
At the age of 16, I started to have vision problems.
At the end of the year, we resigned ourselves to
I did not take it seriously because my mother did not
postpone the operation and have another child. In 2014
have the resources to take me to the doctor and buy
Dante was born. He, along with our daughter, made life
lenses. Years passed and I met Israel at work in 2008.
a joy.
A friendship started and he told me he was a Christian
and believed in God, even though he was away from the The operation was no longer a priority and we just
church. His beliefs were not an issue to me since I did enjoyed our family. In 2015 we decided to choose a better
not know God. But when he told lifestyle for our children and move
me of his experiences with Christ, I away from Santiago, the capital
always listened very carefully; I was of Chile. Israel’s father lived in
convinced that God was real. Coyhaique and he offered to help
us move there. In March of 2016
We were married in 2009 and
we made the three-day overland trip
our daughter Javiera was born.
south and settled in Coyhaique.
Right away we had many projects
to do. One project was to get a house Before we moved, we visited
to give our daughter a home. Little the Coyhaique area on vacation.
by little we started to buy our things During that visit we first met Ted,
for the house. Jeff, and all his family. When we
lived in Coyhaique we visited them
One year later Israel noticed that
a number of times and went to
I had a hard time seeing. Through
church with them. We felt God was
my husband’s cousin I got my Daniela, Israel, and their family calling us to come to Him.
first optical glasses. My eyesight
improved but it still was not as it should have been. I had It was through God testing us and speaking to our
vision check-ups once a year so I could renew my glasses, hearts that we gave our lives in obedience to Christ. From
but the lenses never managed to improve my vision a that moment on, we began to attend church. Jeff offered
lot. Israel and I continued our life together, enjoying to disciple us and we agreed to study God’s Word with
each other and our daughter. We did not let my vision him. After the church learned of my illness, they began
problems ruin our life. praying for me.
In 2013 we decided to go to a private doctor who A few weeks passed and bishop William Byler and
realized I had a bad formation in my corneas and his wife from Idaho arrived. Jeff asked if I wanted to be
requested that I have a lot of exams done. The exams anointed with oil and ask God to heal me. I accepted this
revealed that I had a disease called keratoconus. This offer. When the day of anointing came, I must confess I
disease slowly changes the round shape of the cornea was very nervous and was hoping that God would heal
into a conical shape. me.
The doctor who diagnosed my problem then referred God healed the most important thing in my life that
me to a specialist in corneas. He told me the disease had day. At that time, I understood that it was not my sight,
no cure and the only solution was an operation which but my heart and my mind that needed healing. From

16 | Daniela’s Letter of Praise & Thanksgiving

 that day on, Jesus transformed my life and demonstrated When I arrived at the optician, the actual owner of
to me that He is by my side taking care of me and guiding the business performed another exam and evaluation
me. In every moment and in many ways, God impressed and told me that my vision was at 20% and that he would
my life with His love and His infinite mercy. give me temporary lenses to improve my vision to 90%.
Here is how God demonstrated his mercy to me. He promised to make these special contacts as quickly
When the brothers in Idaho learned of my condition, as possible; the next day he had them ready. I was so
they wanted to help solve the problem with my vision. glad for this fast service because now I could return to
In November 2016, we made an appointment with an Coyhaique immediately.
eye doctor in Santiago to see in what condition my sight As soon as I put the hard contacts in, I could see
was and to check out the possibility of operating on my much better. The colors were bright and I could enjoy
eyes. We left with all the blessing of God and with many the marvels of God’s creation—the mountains, the rivers,
prayers of our brothers, and everything turned out better the flowers, and the animals. I wanted to read everything.
than expected. But the best of all was when I arrived home; now I could
In Santiago, we first went to a doctor who specialized see my children much more clearly and beautifully than
in corneas. He evaluated and performed tests to see how before. The smiles and the tears and the laughter all ran
far the disease had progressed. The doctor said that the together as I joyfully held them close.
ailment had progressed very little and recommended After three months of using the contacts, I went back
me to another specialist since he did not dare to operate to the store and found that I now have 100% of my vision
without a second opinion. restored. When I left the store, I was very happy and
We went to a second doctor who reviewed the exams thankful for this blessing and miracle that God did in my
carefully for a long time. We were nervous because he vision with the help of the Idaho brothers.
did not talk for 10 minutes and only looked at the exams. Even though I see well now, the disease could still
Then he asked, “How could you live like this for so many make my sight worse. So now I need to make another
years?” This doctor rejected the option of having a cornea trip to Santiago for another examination. This trip is
transplant and wanted to try rigid contacts. I had not necessary to see if I still need an operation to prevent the
realized that such lenses even existed because I had been disease from advancing.
told the only solution for my condition was an operation. I wanted to write this letter to tell you a little of my
The doctor then explained more about how contact life and how God has changed me and my family. I want
lenses would help me. “I want you to wear glasses for a to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you
while along with the rigid contact lenses until we see if did for me. I see life with more joy and I can study the
you need an operation or not. Eventually, you will need Scriptures now. Praise to God and thanks for everything.
to have an operation called ‘crosslinking’ to prevent your It was a great blessing to us.
eye condition from advancing.” Then the doctor referred Daniela Gamboa y Israel Bueno y familia
us to two different stores that made these lenses.

A sample of God’s beautiful creation that Daniela was able to see clearly with her contacts!

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Daniela’s Letter of Praise & Thanksgiving | 17

 The Importance of the Resurrection
by Milo E. Zehr

“If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still By contrast, Anabaptists believe Christ’s resurrection
in your sins!” is an essential part of salvation. Christ’s death and
- I Corinthians 15:17 resurrection changes a person from a sinner to a saint
and creates a new person. Through the resurrection, God
I was 39 years old, had graduated from Liberty Baptist delivers the sinner from the condition of being a sinner,
College, and was in my first year of a graduate program rescues the sinner from the dominion of the devil, and
when I heard the most shocking statement I ever heard in transplants the sinner into Christ’s Kingdom (Colossians
my life concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ from 1:21-29).
the dead. Prior to this, Bible and theology professors
had fed me a steady diet of the common Protestant Romans 6 teaches that both the death and resurrection
understanding of justification and salvation, and although of Christ are essential to a New Testament understanding
I had been able to identify several unbiblical themes, I of salvation, and to a life of righteousness after conversion.
still had not heard any clarifying statement that made the Paul’s teaching in these verses is crystal clear: the person
issues crystal clear to me. who is “baptized into Christ” is co-buried and co-raised
with Christ. This means that the person who is “baptized
The shocking statement occurred on the day the into Christ” experiences the same death to sin and
professor asked one of the students to close the classroom resurrection to life in his or her body of flesh that Jesus
door. After the door was closed, the professor said, “The experienced in His body of flesh.
Protestant view of justification and salvation does not need
the resurrection of Christ.” This one sentence followed by The believer is co-buried and co-raised with Christ.
an explanation of its meaning became the turning point Those who are “baptized into Christ” have died and been
in my journey toward a fuller understanding of salvation buried, and have been raised from the dead with Christ.
and the value of Christ’s resurrection. The person who is in Christ stands and lives and walks
on resurrection ground.
I asked the professor to repeat the statement and
explain why he said it. The rule and power of sin inherited from Adam has
been broken in the death and resurrection of Christ.
He responded by saying, “The Protestant view of Therefore, the rule and power of sin is broken in those
salvation says the sins of sinners are imputed (transferred) who co-die and co-rise with Christ. They are no longer
to Christ on the cross and the righteousness of Christ is in bondage to sin and death.
imputed (transferred) to the sinner who trusts Jesus. This
imputation formula of sins being transferred to Christ God performs this operation of “dying and raising”
and Christ’s righteousness being transferred to the person inside us, in our hearts and minds, at regeneration. In
who trusts Christ, requires the death of Christ but does other words, this dying and rising takes place inside us
not require the resurrection of Christ.” and is not simply something God does on the books of
heaven.
The professor’s explanation means a person can be
justified and go to heaven whether or not Christ arose Paul is clear that the person who has been buried
from the dead. According to this popular Protestant view, and raised with Christ “should walk in newness of life”
entrance into heaven depends solely on God’s acceptance (Romans 6:4). The believer “should” and will “walk in
of the perfect life and death of Christ as a substitute for newness of life” because “if we have been planted together
the practical holiness God requires of believers. in the likeness of His death, we shall be also united with
Him in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5).
In this common teaching, when the sinner trusts in
Christ, God simply transfers the righteousness of Christ “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things
to the sinner’s account in heaven. This transferred which are above” (Colossians 3:1).
righteousness becomes the basis for God’s declaration M.E.Z. | Virginia
that the sinner is now righteous and is a saint in God’s
eyes. Although good works should follow, good works Review Question:
are unrelated to the believer’s final salvation. Why is the resurrection an essential part of salvation?

18 | The Importance of the Resurrection

 Awake, Awake, O Earth!
music by J. Henry Showalter

John Henry Showalter

was born at Cherry Grove,
Virginia, three miles
northeast of Singers Glen,
on November 2, 1864.
Many church and family
connections with the
Funks and Klines in that
area marked the Showalter
family as having an intense interest in church
music.
For fifty years John Henry’s father was
an outstanding song leader and teacher of
singing classes in Virginia and other states.
John Henry’s older brother, Anthony, headed a
leading firm of music publishers in the South at
Dalton, Georgia. His firm published over 130
music books which sold more than a million
copies.
John Henry Showalter attended several
music schools. One of his teachers, Frederick
W. Root of Chicago termed John Henry’s voice
as one of the best with a large compass and
high quality. Mr. Root also said, “He is a skilled
teacher of classes and one of the best leaders
of large singing assemblies; his compositions
are to be found in many collections for church
and Sunday school including hymnals of
the Church of the Brethren of which he is a
member.”
For many years John Henry Showalter
was established at West Milton, Ohio as a
composer and publisher. He authored more
than 40 books, many of which he published.
These books included works on the rudiments
of music, theory and practice of teaching, voice
culture, harmony, and musical composition as
well as many gospel songbooks and hymnals.
One of his most notable and successful
publications was entitled Psalms, Hymns, and
Spiritual Songs, first published in 1892. This
work changed the singing in the Church of the
Brethren from the old “lining out” procedure
to the more modern method of rendering
hymns in religious services.
John Henry Showalter was frequently
called upon to lead the singing at the annual
meetings of the church in assemblies made
up of thousands from all parts of the United
States.
John Henry wrote the music for at least
three hymns familiar to many of us:
“Awake, Awake, O Earth!”
“More Like Thee”
“There Is Joy in My Soul Today”

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Awake, Awake, O Earth ! | 19

 Resurrection Power
by Andrew V. Ste. Marie

“Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into is bound to her husband as long as she
death, that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by lives (verses 2-3). The Old Covenant Law
the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in bound to itself all those who were under
newness of life.” that covenant. But there was a problem—
– Romans 6:4 (AVU) no one could perfectly fulfill the terms of
that covenant. No one could live up to its
In approximately A.D. 33, Jesus of Nazareth was standard. The apostle Peter called it a yoke
crucified by the Roman authorities ruling over the Jewish “which neither our fathers nor we were able
people. He was buried by some of His friends in a stone to bear” (Acts 15:10). Worse yet, as Paul
tomb, and His dead body was guarded by Roman soldiers. explains in Romans 7:7-13, the Law actually
But within three days of His crucifixion, death lost its hold stirred up and increased sin! Was there a
on Him. Angels pushed back the stone before the tomb, way to God apart from the Law? Yes—by
the guards fell down like dead, and the Son of God—the the death and resurrection of Jesus, and
firstfruits of the resurrection of the righteous—stepped our spiritual participation in that death and
forth, alive. resurrection. Paul tells us that “you also
As the word of Jesus’ resurrection went forth, God have become dead to the law by the body
was powerfully glorified by this miracle. Jesus appeared of Christ, that you should be married to
to more and more people, and the apostles preached the another, even to him who is raised from
message of the resurrection. Men and women repented the dead, that we should bring forth fruit to
of their sins, worshipped Jesus as the Son of God, and God” (Romans 7:4). This is accomplished
obeyed Him as the Monarch of the Kingdom of God. by the death of our fleshly natures; while
we were held by the fleshly nature, the Law
worked to bring forth sin. “But now we
The Old Man Must Die have been delivered from the law, being
What does Jesus’ death and resurrection mean for dead to what once held us [the flesh], that
believers today? The Apostle Paul taught that Jesus’ death we should serve in newness of spirit and
and resurrection were events which we participate in, and not in the oldness of the letter” (Romans
are united to, when we become Christians and surrender 7:6).
ourselves to God. In Romans 6:3, Paul tells us that when
• To the world. This is a double crucifixion!
we were baptized, we were baptized into Christ’s death.
“But God forbid that I should glory except
Jesus, of course, died physically on the cross. While
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
Christians do not die physically in baptism, they do die
whom the world is crucified to me and I to
spiritually when they are baptized and become Christians.
the world” (Galatians 6:14). Not only am
What do they die to? I dead to the world, but the world is also
• Sin and our old sinful nature. In the same dead to me. By the death of Jesus, we are
passage in Romans 6, Paul says that it is set free from the world and its lusts, which
“our old man” who was crucified with are the lusts of the eye and flesh and the
Christ, so that “we should no longer serve pride of life (I John 2:16). The world and
sin.” A dead person, Paul says, is free from its lusts are doomed to destruction, but
sin. “Therefore, do not let sin reign in your those who have been freed from the world
mortal body, that you should obey its lusts” to serve and love God and do His will shall
(verse 12). live forever (I John 2:15-17).
• The Old Covenant Law. “Do you not
know, brethren (for I speak to those who Christ Was Raised to Life in Power
know the law), how the law has authority Jesus died by crucifixion; when we die with Christ, we
over a man as long as he lives?” (Romans die to our sinful selves, to the Law which stirs up sinful
7:1). Paul compares this to a wife, who

20 | Resurrection Power
 desires, and to the world with its lusts. But though He we stop loving the world and the things of the world;
died in weakness, He was raised by the power and glory we put to death the sinful habits and desires of the flesh
of God (II Corinthians 13:4; Romans 6:4). He rose from (verse 5). Instead, we love the things which God loves,
the grave because death was not powerful enough to hold the “things above.” We put on the new man, “which is
Him (Romans 6:9). When He burst from the realm of the being renewed in the full knowledge after the likeness of
dead back to life, He led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8) the one who created him” (verse 10). In this new man,
and the power of God was manifested as many other dead human pride and prejudice crumbles; barriers between
men came out of their graves as well (Matthew 27:52-53). people of different races, economic status, and religious
Like the spoils of victory, Jesus came bearing gifts to give upbringings crumble. Among believers, “Christ is all,
to men—to those who would follow Him (Ephesians 4:8). and in all” (verse 11b).
The psalmist tells us what these gifts were: “thou hast With a renewed and transformed mind, we can test
received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that and discern God’s good and perfect will (Romans 12:2).
the LORD God might dwell among them” (Psalm 68:18)! We can live out His will on earth and bring glory to Him.
“God is to us a God of deliverance. To Yahweh, the
Lord, belongs escape from death” (Psalm 68:20 WEB).
Conclusion
Resurrected with Jesus, we can live in triumph over
Raised to Life by Christ’s Power sin, the devil, our own flesh, and the world, showing the
Just like Christ was raised from the dead by the glory lost what redeemed humanity is meant to be, bringing
of the Father, so also we are raised up to a completely new glory to God and showing that the grace and glory of
life. This life is the life of God Himself, the Holy Spirit of God are at work. While living in victory and fellowship
God, Who inhabits every true believer. By this new and with God, we look forward to the ultimate resurrection
spiritual life, we yield ourselves and our bodies to God of the body at the end of time, when “we will be like him;
to live in a way which brings Him glory—to live above for we will see him as he is” (I John 3:2b).
sin, to live righteously (Romans 6:10-14).
“If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things “Indeed, I consider all things loss…That I may know
that are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship
God. Set your affection on things above, not on things of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death;
on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the
Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). Living in this reality, dead” (Philippians 3:8a, 10-11).

" “The regenerate, therefore, lead a penitent and new life, for they are
renewed in Christ and have received a new heart and spirit. Once they
were earthly-minded, now heavenly; once they were carnal, now spiri-
tual; once they were unrighteous, now righteous; once they were evil,
now good; and they live no longer after the old corrupted nature of the
first earthly Adam, but after the new upright nature of the new and
heavenly Adam, Christ Jesus, even as Paul says: 'Nevertheless, I live; yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me.' Their poor, weak life they daily renew
more and more, and that after the image of Him who created them.
"
Their minds are like the mind of Christ, they gladly walk as He walked;
they crucify and tame their flesh with all its evil lusts. In baptism they
bury their sins in the Lord’s death and rise with Him to a new life.”
—Menno Simons
J. C. Wenger (editor), The Complete Writings of Menno Simons, Herald Press, p. 93.

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Resurrection Power | 21

 Did He Rise?
In the tomb the Savior’s body lay three day.
The Jews did fear that in some way
His foll’wers might steal the dead body and say,
“He’s gone away and lives for aye.”

Four soldiers stood to keep

The dead Man in His sleep.
But in the morn a blinding light shown through;
The whole earth shook and rumbled too.

Those great soldiers fell in shock

And wondered what to do if men should mock.
They knew if Pilate found them out that they would die,
And so the priests, with them, contrived this lie.

“While we soldiers lay and slept

His foll’wers by us crept.
And when it was day,
We knew that it was they who carried Him away.”

Many believed this tale, we’re told,

E’en though now it’s centuries old.
But men of faith will always know, Jesus from the grave did rise;
And someday, by-and-by, we too will rise to meet Him in the skies.
JGL | Waynesboro, Georgia

22 | Did He Rise?
 Call to Service: Salt & Light, USA
Anabaptist Voice interviews Clyde Zimmerman

While many Anabaptists are familiar with Christian AV: How did you become involved in the SALT
Aid Ministries and some of its 40-plus programs, in this program and what is your focus?
issue we would like to focus on the SALT1 Microfinance
Solutions program in the USA. For the past ten years, the CZ: Our congregation started a mission in Bangladesh
SALT program has been reaching out to people living in in 2009 at the conclusion of a CAM rebuilding project
material poverty. The goal of this program is to provide following a deadly cyclone in which over 3,000 souls
Christ-centered teaching and to enable people to provide perished. A high-ranking government official from
for themselves instead of depending on aid. This program the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh invited us to teach
has now grown to over 30,000 people and is operating in spoken English in the secondary schools.
more than 15 countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. After a number of years of teaching English, building
Over the past few years, the SALT team has been relationships with the indigenous people, and facing
working on developing a new element within the SALT many serious needs, we began asking ourselves: “Are we
program that is tailored for reaching out to neighbors in actually helping the needy families?” Or worse, “Is it
North America. This new aspect of SALT is called “Salt & possible we may be creating dependencies and harming
Light” and was released last December. Recently we had the very people we are endeavoring to help?” These are
an opportunity to ask the Salt & Light coordinator, Clyde hard questions, and in many cases, there are no clear
Zimmerman, questions about the SALT program in general answers. Watching these people face serious poverty
and more specifically, the new Salt & Light aspect. and numerous unmet medical needs, we began looking
at the SALT program, since we knew it focused on
AV Editor sustainability as well as helping the poor better provide
for their families.
In 2014, we decided to proceed with SALT in
Bangladesh, and I was appointed, along with the
assistance of the SALT team at CAM, to implement the
program. Starting a new program takes time and effort.
Many times, there is a lot to learn about how it functions
in different contexts. In looking back, it seems like God
prepared the way for us, and SALT Savings Groups have
1  SALT is an acronym for Shared Accountability Lending and become a very effective tool. These groups are not only
Teaching. for helping the poor utilize their God-given resources
more effectively and better provide for the needs of their
families; a primary focus is to share Truth in a country
that is 90% Muslim and 9% Hindu. Today there are over
6,000 people enrolled in the SALT Savings Groups as
well as hundreds more in sewing/tailoring classes and
computer vocational training centers. Praise be to God,
the SALT program has also proven to be very effective in
spreading the gospel in a restricted setting, and numerous
underground house churches have sprung up in some
rural villages in Bangladesh.
In November of 2015, I joined the SALT team at CAM
as a Country Supervisor. Today I focus on Southeast
Asia. In addition to Bangladesh, I am CAM’s SALT
representative for India, Myanmar, Cambodia, and
Indonesia. In the past few years I also focused on the
development of the Salt & Light program, and now serve
The SALT program in Bangladesh as coordinator of this new element of SALT.

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Call to Service: Salt & Light, USA | 23

 Call To Service: Salt & Light, USA

AV: What are some of your responsibilities and how It is true there can be a lot of travel involved; balancing
does your family fit into the travel requirements? that with family commitments can be challenging. We
do need wisdom from God, and work well together as
There are a number of Country Supervisors within a SALT team to support each other and give each other
the SALT program, and each of us endeavors to support direction in this area. As I reflect on each country and
each country that operates the SALT program, to help the teams who are working faithfully, my heart warms.
them be successful and to meet their goals. While CAM I am glad to visit each year to learn from them, assist
does operate SALT on some of its foreign bases, most of where I can, and be an encouragement. The normal trip
the SALT programs are operated by Anabaptist Missions lasts about 10 days; if it is longer than two weeks, typically
as franchises. There is regular ongoing communication our wives will travel with us. The past four years, we as a
between the Country Supervisor and the SALT field family have lived in Bangladesh three months each winter
staff to share best practices in operations, to help solve serving as house parents for an English teaching team and
challenges, and to give prayer support. Each Country working closely with the native SALT team in the country.
Supervisor makes an annual field visit, as well as meets
with the stateside mission board to help everyone stay
together in vision, goals, and practice. AV: Why did CAM develop the Salt & Light aspect?
Recently SALT implemented the “Barnabas Team” CZ: Many times, when working in foreign countries, I
teaching program in which Anabaptist volunteers who are am inspired to see how God is moving people to use their
inspired about the goals and vision of SALT travel to the resources more effectively to provide for their families.
field annually for a few days of intense biblical teaching. Even more importantly, I praise God when they begin
These men provide encouragement and exhortation for responding to gospel teaching.
the indigenous SALT staff. A highlight of being a Country
Supervisor is walking with sincere, godly men who have However, upon returning home, many of us in the
not previously heard instruction on living out Jesus’ SALT program developed a burden for our neighbors,
teaching, but through the Barnabas Team efforts, now right in our own communities. Why are so many
have this opportunity. One of the goals of the Barnabas Anabaptists not being intentional gospel missionaries
Team teaching effort is to ensure that wherever SALT is in their own neighborhoods? Has the Anabaptist
operating, the indigenous men leading the program are community accepted the lost around us as normal? Are
living what they are teaching. the outreach methods of the past still being effective in

How SALT Helps

Illustration from CAM’s website at: www.christianaidministries.org

24 | Call To Service: Salt & Light, USA

 2019? The needs in America are deep and severe. Many Our target audience for Salt & Light is anyone with a
of our neighbors struggle with deep generational poverty, need to learn better skills in managing the finances God
poor financial choices, addictions, and more. Even worse, has entrusted to them. We want to help those who are
many of our neighbors are growing up as unchurched disadvantaged, cannot use normal banking services, or
people and do not know Jesus. are stuck with things like Payday Loans, Rent to Own, and
This burden prodded us on, but we knew that the consumer debt. Most people are not aware of the drain
SALT program as developed for foreign countries would these types of services are to their finances. In some cases,
not work at home. We received training from a similar they are one disaster away from financial ruin.
Protestant program and completed trials in a few cities; Based on the overarching SALT principles, the content
we learned a lot from these field trials. After publishing includes both practical teaching to help people better
new teaching material that is relevant for our neighbors provide for their families, and biblical truths pointing to
in North America and consistent with Anabaptist biblical the answer that all people need—Jesus Christ.
beliefs, we again completed a few field trials and finally Here is a glimpse of some of the things the course
released the new Salt & Light program in December. includes:
• A Bible truth. Each lesson includes a section
AV: What is the purpose and vision of Salt & Light, that focuses on a Scripture or biblical account.
who is the target audience, and what is taught? • A real-life story. This section includes group
discussion questions to help engage the
CZ: The purpose of Salt & Light is to:
participants.
• PROVIDE a way for Anabaptists in the USA
• Life with Bill & Sara. Bill and Sara face
to build relationships with their neighbors.
real-life challenges. Group discussion helps
• LEARN through Bible-based financial participants process what they have observed
teaching. in Bill and Sara.
• EXTEND hope and direction to those • Financial forms to help participants evaluate
experiencing financial difficulty. their personal finances as well as their goals
• PATTERN what it looks like to walk with and values. These forms will create a systematic
Jesus and obey His teachings. way to set goals and track finances.
• BRING long-term change by helping people The course offers Bible-based financial teachings
better manage their God-given resources. on subjects such as tracking income and expenses,
identifying talents and resources, and not wasting our
Our vision for Salt and Light is to create a way for resources in frequent small transactions. Participants
Anabaptists to walk alongside their neighbors and learn about home mortgage, car purchasing, consumer
build relationships. Through this platform, we hope to debt, and planning for emergencies. They also discover
pattern what it looks like to walk with Jesus and obey the biblical principles of living simply and giving joyfully.
His teachings. To help accomplish this, the Salt & Light
course centers around two themes:
• The Bible brings hope for our financial problems.
• Joyful kingdom living comes from obeying Jesus.
The first theme points to the fact that by following
biblical principles, our financial problems in life are
addressed in a practical way. The second theme is to call
the participant beyond an earthly vision and show how
true joy comes from being obedient to the teachings of
Jesus.
Our goal is to bring long-term change by helping
people recognize and use their God-given skills and
resources. Once people discover that they have the ability
to help themselves, sustainable change begins, and the
results will linger long after the Salt & Light course is past.
The SALT program in the USA

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Call To Service: Salt & Light, USA | 25

 AV: Is there anything else you would like to share AV: What are some frequently asked questions
with the AV readers? about Salt & Light USA?

CZ: Please see the Facilitator Orientation Seminar Who leads the Salt & Light course?
schedule for 2019 (page 42). The seminar provides an CZ: Anabaptist churches with a vision for helping
in-depth review on the Salt & Light curriculum and how their neighbors initiate the course. They explore long-
to practically use the course while also covering broader, term sustainable solutions for financial needs and build
related topics, such as: relationships with people to work toward long-term
• Do I Know My Neighbor? biblical change. Facilitator(s) from the local Anabaptist
• Analyzing Worldviews church will lead the course.
• The Impact of Culture How long is the course?
• Adapting to Changing Conditions CZ: It is a 12-week, one-night-a-week course.
• Learning to Categorize Needs What does the course consist of?
• Emulation of a Real-Life Salt & Light Course
CZ: The course consists of slides for the facilitator
• Consensus Building in Your Home and a Participant Guide for people from the community.
Congregation The 12 lessons in the Participant Guide coincide with
• And much more! the slides.
We held our first Facilitator Orientation Seminar in How many participants can attend each course?
December to equip interested brothers and sisters from CZ: It is up to the local church, but 5 to 20 people are
the Anabaptist community to use Salt & Light. Over 40 the norm. Many times the participants live unstructured
attendees from eight states participated. lives and having all participants attend all meetings can
We at the SALT team are excited about the potential be challenging. In some of our field trials, we had people
and are hopeful that Salt & Light can be an effective tool from the local Anabaptist church also take the course
for Anabaptists to reach out to their neighbors, to show as participants but it’s important not to outnumber the
the love of Christ, and to share truth. Do you and your participants from the local community.
congregation feel the same burden for the lost around Do facilitators need to take training?
you and are each of us willing to be missionaries at home?
CZ: Before purchasing the course material and
starting the program in a community, facilitators will
need to enroll in a Salt & Light Orientation Seminar.
The seminar, which spans several days, will equip the
facilitator and his congregation to use Salt & Light as a
way to reach out.
How does a local church get started and where can I
purchase the course material?
CZ: If you are interested in starting the Salt & Light
program, contact the CAM home office by calling
330.893.2428 or emailing saltandlight@camoh.org.
You will receive an information packet introducing
the program including an excerpt of the Salt & Light
Participant Guide. The information packet includes a
“Self-Assessment Questionnaire” which may be useful
Facilitator from a local Anabaptist church leads the course in helping your congregation to determine if the Salt &
Light program is a good fit for your community.

26 | Call To Service: Salt & Light, USA

 Rubies & Diamonds
Memorable quotes that speak to the heart.

“There are very few people who ever led a soul to Christ who did not plan to do it.”
– Dale Heisey at Kingdom Fellowship Weekend, PA

“A person who looks at the sun sees nothing but a bright light. So it is with those who look at
Christ; they are blind to the things of this world.”
– A servant of the Hutterian Brethren, MT

“When you make a small directional change toward the world, you have done something with
the Scriptures which you cannot humanly stop. The world is a package deal; accept part of the
world and it all comes in.”
– James Miller at Shalom Church, IN

“God is constantly making a way of escape for us to flee from our temptations. If we fail, we
need to acknowledge that we didn’t take the escape route God made available for us.”
– Clay Zimmerman at Shekinah Mennonite, MO

“What God says is not a suggestion, but a ‘Thus saith the Lord!’”
– John Mark Yoder at Faith Mission Fellowship, VA

“True repentance looks on the past with a tearful eye and on the future with a watchful eye.”
(Given at a baptismal service)
– Leroy Lapp at Fincastle Mennonite Church, VA

“An excellent spirit is more than a good attitude.”

– Steven Byers at Faith Mission Fellowship, VA

“Pride is exaltation of self. Humility is the exaltation of God.”

– John Weaver at Ozark Mennonite Church, MO

“If you are asking God to open a door, don’t go to the other corner and read a book. Put your
shoulder against the door and wait for vibrations.”
– Allen Petre at Lenawee Mennonite Church, MI

“Knowing what is right is knowledge. Doing what is right is wisdom.” (Mother’s Day message)
– Nathan Yoder at Faith Mission Fellowship, VA

Share your rubies and diamonds with AV readers. Send in the quote, the name of the speaker and the name of
the place where it was given. We would also like to have the name and address of the person sending in the quote.

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Rubies & Diamonds | 27

 Atonement Responses
“Question on Atonement” (AV12, page 7) and “Writing Challenge” (AV12, page 8)

No Burden Anymore Death’s Power Broken

by Ben Haldeman by Marlin Sommers
I am thankful I no longer carry the burden of my past I cannot say what the atonement is in 100 or 100,000
sins. If someone confronts me about a sin in my life, I words. Instead, I will submit my testimony.
have two choices. (1) I can try to justify myself and place Why did the Messiah need to die? Themes from the
the blame on someone else. Or (2) I can confess my sin Gospels and Acts answer this question.
and try not to do it again. The difference is that when I
try to justify myself, I am on my own and responsible for The Son of Man needed to be handed over to sinners.
the consequences. Beware; the wages of sin is death. On He was handed over by His own to the nations. He died as
the other hand, when I confess my sin, Jesus is faithful King of the Jews, as a prophet, and as the Son of God. His
and just to forgive my sin and to cleanse me from all servants could take no sword, yet the Prince of Darkness
unrighteousness. I can now live with a clear conscience was cast down. Prophet and King became a servant and
before God and man because Jesus has atoned for my gave His life as a ransom for many. Death had, but could
sin by dying on the cross. The gift of God is eternal life not hold, the Prince of Life. God raised him, and death’s
through Jesus Christ our Lord. power was broken for all. Romans 6:9 says, “Knowing
that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no
When people want to dig up my sinful past, they have more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.”
just given me the opportunity to tell them how they can
also be saved from their sins. God exalted Jesus. Jesus sent us the Spirit as His
victory gift.
Don’t ignore sin or Satan, but focus on the Savior
(Philippians 3:9-15). M.S. | Tennessee
This means I side with substitutionary atonement
instead of ransom atonement.
B.H. | Pennsylvania

It Could Be Both Practical Questions

by Randy Gross 1. Do any or all of the atonement theories affect how

a follower of Jesus ought to live?
The topic of the atonement is given a false dichotomy.
People pit ransom atonement against substitutionary a) the Ransom Theory – The theory teaches that the
atonement and declare it has to be one or the other. I death of Christ was a ransom sacrifice, paid to the
believe the Bible teaches both. devil to rescue humanity out of his grasp.

In the incident with the golden calf, Moses wanted b) the Substitutionary Theory – This theory teaches
to substitute himself for Israel’s sin. When Laban made that Jesus Christ suffered crucifixion as a substitute
Nabal angry, Abigail wanted to substitute herself in place for sinners. Included in the theory is the idea that
of her foolish husband. Jesus died to pay humanity’s moral debt to God.

A few passages show us substitutionary atonement. c) the Penal Substitution Theory – This theory argues
Paul said, “For He hath made him to be sin for us, who that Christ, by His own sacrificial choice, was
knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness punished in the place of sinners, thus satisfying the
of God in Him.” Peter said, “For Christ also hath once demands of justice so God can justly forgive sins.
suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring 2. In what way do any or all of these theories add
us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened words to the Scripture?
by the Spirit.”
R.G. | Saskatchewan

28 | Atonement Responses
 Wheat and Nonresistance
by Peter Hoover, adapted by AV

Turkey Red Hard Winter Wheat owes its presence involved spring wheat which was not well suited to the
in America to the Mennonites.  These farmers were climate.  The wheat was planted in the spring, as its name
originally Germans who had moved to Ukraine in the suggests.  In theory, it was to be harvested in late summer. 
1700s to avoid being drafted into the German military.  In practice, it rarely lived that long, usually withering
However, a change in Russian policy promised to destroy early due to heat and drought.
their military exemption again. In the 1870’s, thousands Turkey Red, on the other hand, was planted in the
of Mennonites moved to the Kansas plains where they fall, lay dormant over the winter, and was harvested
counted on military exemption and a nonresistant life in late spring or early summer.  In short order, Turkey
of peace. Red proved it could thrive in the Great Plains climate. 
When the Mennonites came to America, they brought This wheat produced a complex root system that could
with them wheat seeds to sow on their Kansas farms.  scavenge nutrients from even poor soils.  Furthermore,
Some leaders had scouted the area earlier and determined Turkey Red resisted many of the diseases that other
the climate and terrain in Kansas was similar to the varieties succumbed to.
steppes of their homeland. They believed their wheat Whatever other varieties of wheat the Mennonites
would grow well on these plains; the variety some of them may have brought and tried, Turkey Red was the one that
brought was Turkey Red Hard Winter Wheat. survived.  Kansans of all backgrounds quickly adopted
Attempts had been made to raise wheat in Kansas Turkey Red and by the 1900s the state of Kansas produced
before the Mennonites arrived.  However, these attempts more wheat than most foreign countries.

Historical marker in Walton, Kansas Bushel of Turkey Red Wheat

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Wheat and Nonresistance | 29

 Turning the Other Cheek
by James C. Juhnke, commentary by Peter Hoover

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ Johannes offered to contribute $200 to the American
sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Red Cross and the Salvation Army, but this contribution
– Matthew 5:10 fell short of the mob’s expectations. They ordered
Johannes to salute the flag and to lead them in a parade
Turkey Red Wheat was a great gift to the world. A through downtown Burrton; he refused to take part.
beautiful harvest! But wheat was not the only thing these
believing immigrants in Kansas brought with them. They, A flag was shoved into his hand, but it fell to the
including a man called Johannes Schrag, brought a living ground because he refused to grip it. The crowd started
faith, a witness, that still touches hearts today. shoving Johannes and accused him of having stepped on
the flag. A bucket of yellow paint was poured and rubbed
On November 11, 1918, the day World War I ended, over his body, but Johannes didn’t resist in any way.
people in the town of Burrton, Kansas, called a holiday
and held a big victory celebration. Five carloads of men The mob got angrier and prepared to hang Johannes
drove from Burrton to the Johannes Schrag farm near from a nearby tree. Tom Roberts, the head of the Burrton
Alta Mills to try to force Johannes [57 years old] to finally Anti-Horse Thief Association, intervened to get Johannes
buy war bonds. He had repeatedly refused to buy Liberty into the Burrton jail where he was protected from the
Bonds, because he believed that to buy the bonds was to mob until the Harvey County Sheriff could come from
support the war, which he strongly opposed. Newton and take him to the county jail.
The Burrton citizens decided to bring John to court on
charges of violating the Espionage Act. That national law,
which was later declared unconstitutional, made it a crime
to show disrespect to the American flag. Five Burrton
citizens presented fifty typewritten pages of evidence to
prove his disloyalty to the flag. After a hearing in Wichita,
a federal judge ruled that there was not enough evidence
to bring Johannes to trial.
The evidence that Johannes had slandered the flag was
not convincing because he had been calmly nonresistant
during the entire ordeal. Everything he had said that day
was in the German language and none of his accusers
could speak or understand German. Johannes’ lawyer
tried to convince him to press charges against those who
prosecuted him, but Johannes refused, stating that it was
against the Mennonite principles of nonresistance.
The Burrton Graphic, The Newton Kansan-Republican,
Johannes Schrag (1861-1957) and the Hutchinson News carried articles about the
Johannes Schrag, a Swiss-Volhynian immigrant incident saying that Johannes should have been punished.
from Russia, settled with his wife Elisabeth Stücki On December 27, 1918, The Newton Evening Kansan-
on a farm near Alta, halfway between Burrton Republican, frustrated by the acquittal of this “bull-
and Moundridge, Kansas, after their marriage in headed” man, had this to say about the case: “This
the mid-1880s. The Lord blessed Johannes and hearing should certainly make plain to any thinking
Elisabeth, the daughter of their minister Jakob
person the viciousness that exists in the encouragement
Stücki and his wife Anna Walter, with twelve
children: Anna, David, Johannes, Reinhold, Josef, of the German language as a means of communication in
Peter, Andreas, Adam, Jakob, Daniel, Samuel, and America. [...] The melting pot cannot exercise its proper
Hermann. functions when such things are allowed.”
Not only did Johannes and Elisabeth raise their The Hutchinson News wrote, “A petition was being
large family with thrift and vigor, they taught them circulated to have Schrag deported to Germany, his native
by words and actions how to follow Christ.

30 | Turning the Other Cheek

 land. This country is fast becoming an unhealthy place The Harvest
for slackers of any kind.” May the ongoing harvest—the beautiful harvest of
One member of the mob on November 11, 1918, had peace—planted by Johannes Schrag on a dreadful day at
been Charles Gordon, a young farmer who had come the end of World War I continue!
into town for the celebration. Fifty years later, in 1968,
Gordon recorded on tape an oral history interview about
the event. He remembered how nonresistant Johannes
had been:
“I don’t know how many people walked right
up to him and spit in his face and he never said a
word. And he just looked up all the time we was
doing that, possibly praying. I don’t know. But
there was some kind of a glow come over his face
and he just looked like Christ … enemies smite
you on one cheek, turn the other. And brother,
he did it. He just kept doing it. They’d slug him
on the one side of the face and he’d turn his cheek Meetinghouse of the Swiss-Volhynian believers
to the other. He exemplified the life of Christ
more than any man I ever saw in my life.” Johannes and his family continued to live in the same
area. He was a member of the Hoffnungsfeld (Hopefield)
Charles Gordon said that because of the witness of Mennonite Church and is buried in the Hopefield church
Johannes Schrag, he became a nonresistant Christian. cemetery.
“You mean you became a Mennonite?” asked the
interviewer. The meetinghouse of the Swiss-Volhynian believers
at Hoffnungsfeld (Hopefield) lies a few miles west of
“No,” said Gordon. “I’m a member of the Nazarene Moundridge, Kansas. These families, originally Amish,
church. You can be a Nazarene and also be a conscientious at one time lived and worked closely with the Hutterites
objector.” in Russia.
James C. Juhnke P.H. | Pennsylvania

The Schrag incident took place

100 years ago. Are we still ready
to calmly suffer injustice, pray for
and bless our persecutors because
of our refusal to participate in the
military or the military complex
(buy war bonds)? Both Jesus and
history warn us that nonresistant
believers may suffer as Johannes
did, or even worse.

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Turning the Other Cheek | 31

 The Story of "The Conquest Series"
by James G. Landis

Twenty years ago my friend Peter Hoover and I were visiting. Peter
made a proposal: “I like to do research, but I do not write stories well.
I’ll dig up the story material and you write them out.” I was willing
to try.
Peter sent me some trial stories he had uncovered. To me the
material Peter sent me lacked the elements of a good story—action,
tension, conflict, excitement, heroism. Then I told Brother Peter,
“You have the makings of a great story in your book, The Secret of
the Strength when you told about Glikkikan. In that story Glikkikan
Vol. 5
as a faithful hero overcame the many temptations and difficulties he
faced, yet remained faithful to God until the end.”
“Go for it,” Peter unselfishly declared. Then he took me to War Chief Conquered
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in his van and introduced me to the history “The peace of God surpasses all human
of the Moravian church in America and the Moravian Indian missions. understanding.” – Philippians 4:7
Brother Peter overwhelmed me with a continuous stream of events In War Chief Conquered, the young
and characters during the eight hours we were together. My small Moravian missionary, John Heckewelder,
brain was in no way equal to his seemingly photographic mind. prods Glikkikan into telling his life story.
Despite my lack of prior knowledge, I became interested. But the famous Indian chief is wary of the
White man’s corrupted treaties and requires
On this same journey Peter stopped at a store in Nazareth, Heckewelder to write his story exactly as he
Pennsylvania. I told of my interest in writing a book about tells it.
Glikkikan, and then bought some crumbling leaflets telling of older
Historically accurate and filled with
Moravian synods and a book or two about Heckewelder (published emotion, War Chief Conquered brings the
by Wennawoods Publishing). I distinctly remember a young clerk reader close to the heart of a powerful war
who asked me, “How long do you think it will take you to write this chief, showing his struggle as he attempts
story? I had a friend who wrote a book about this stuff and it took to lead the Delaware Indians to a secure
him seven years.” homeland.
I confidently and naively answered him, “About two years.” That Would overcoming their English and
was twenty years ago and the last two of the seven books in the series Iroquois enemies in battle bring security to
are written but not yet published. the Delaware Indians? Glikkikan learns that
war and murder only increases bitterness and
As a parting gift, Peter gave me his copy of The Life and Times hatred, and he yearns for something better.
of David Zeisberger written by a Moravian minister, Edmund De
When Glikkikan confronts the Christian
Schweinitz and published in 1870. I sat on a lawn chair in the Indians who refused to join in the warfare, he
blueberry patch that spring to shoot pesky robins—if you kill a few is confident that he can overcome them with
early in the season it helps keep their wireless network from spreading his carefully prepared arguments. Instead,
the word—and read De Schweinitz. I could not believe some of the the Great Glikkikan finds himself speechless.
history I read was true. Was this just a Moravian preacher writing Then he declares to his fellow warriors, “These
a slanted account of events that happened 100 years ago? Or was it Christians have the truth! Listen to them!”
for real? Precisely when Glikkikan is convinced he
I had to find out more. I started buying more books from has found the path to truth and happiness, a
Wennawoods Publishing and many other sources. I traveled to Dublin, difficult choice confronts him. Must he love
his enemies to serve the Savior?
Pennsylvania—my boyhood home—and searched for documents
relating to the “Walking Purchase.” There I made connection with the Witness Glikkikan’s struggle to overcome
books and doctoral dissertation of Francis Jennings. His writings were the bitterness of his warring past by allowing
the Savior to conquer his heart.
to be an important backup for all the secular side of “The Conquest
Series.” Visit www.tgsinternational.com or call
330.893.4828 for purchase information.

32 | The Story of "The Conquest Series"

 I traveled to Schoenbrunn, Ohio and visited the reconstructed Vol. 1: This story tells
Schoenbrunn village. There I bought two more books by Hale the early history of the
Sipe, The Indian Chiefs of Pennsylvania and The Indian Wars of Delaware Indians and the
Pennsylvania. They both proved very useful books in helping coming of the white man
to the Delaware River
me identify different people and events found in other books
Valley as witnessed by
and records.
Lenape heroes.
At the archives on the Kent State campus, very close to
Schoenbrunn village, I had the good fortune of meeting with Vol. 2: Recounts the life
Earl Olmstead, the author of two books on David Zeisberger. Vol. 1 story of Lenape sage,
Seated in the archives that largely contained the manuscripts and Meas, as he staggers
books Mr. Olmstead had collected during his years of research, through the events
he kindly shared some of his story with me. “You are doing now that engulf him in his
homeland in the Delaware
what I did for ten years,” he informed me, “collecting information.
River Valley.
I had trouble finding all the diaries of David Zeisberger. Three
important years were missing. I found them at a small county Vol. 3: Glikkikan, a
library in Pennsylvania. Then a little lady translated them for me renowned Delaware
at a bargain rate.” Years later I was able to borrow those three war chief and famous
years of translated diaries for over a year—as far as I know they orator, brings to light the
are the only translated copies of those three years available and hidden causes of what
they are in bad condition. But those pages became the backbone Vol. 2 is commonly known as
of Under Attack and War Chief Conquered. Then Mr. Olmstead Pontiac’s rebellion.
looked directly at me and asked a perceptive question, “Are you
writing history or fiction? If you are writing fiction, you can write Vol. 4: Details fierce White
anything you want to.” attacks against all Indians
and the heroic attempts
I stumbled around trying to answer him, but I don’t think I of Christian Indians
ever dared to give him an “either-or” answer. Mr. Olmstead’s to remain quiet and
question was a good one and it forced me to think what I really peaceable throughout.
wanted to do.
Vol. 5: An Indian saga
This is what I settled on and it is true in all books in the series.
Vol. 3 recounting Isaac
I did not make up facts and events to fit synthetic characters in the Glikkikan’s struggle to
story. I made up the story to fit the characters and events found give up his former life as
in real life. “The Conquest Series” then is history told in story an influential war chief,
form. I call it “American history through Indian eyes.” prophet, and orator and
To be sure, the truth is limited by my knowledge of the events find peace in his heart.
and characters I wrote about and how I interpreted the “facts” I
studied. But the reader can rest assured that the truth is presented Vol. 6: To be released in the
fall of 2019. Black Clouds
in "The Conquest Series” based on solid research. Note the
– A story of duplicity
extensive bibliographies in the back of each book. This is not to and the betrayal of the
say I know everything or understand everything correctly. I still Delaware nation and the
desire to learn more about the Indians, the Moravians, and the Vol. 4 Moravian missions during
White people involved in these stories. the Revolutionary War.
These stories are all molded by my beliefs as a historian. I write
as one who holds the use of the land and living things as a trust Vol. 7: To be released
in spring of 2020. The
from a creator God. In addition, all men will be judged by God
Final Conquest – Isaac
for the deeds they have done while on the earth. As a historian, Glikkikan remains
I believe the Indians were rational human beings and subject to steadfast in his faith amid
good and evil spirits the same as all men on the face of the earth. conflict, deportation,
As Jesus said, I believe we can know the truth and that we can and starvation, and at
learn from history. last finds a permanent
homeland for his people
J.G.L. | Georgia Vol. 5

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 The Story of "The Conquest Series" | 33

 Round Table Discussion
by AV Readers

The following pages are meant to encourage interaction between Anabaptist Voice and our readers. If you have
questions or thoughts and would like to hear a response from AV, this section is for you. Write to us.
AV Editor

Worldly Life Insurance No Sabbath

I would like to know your thoughts on this question: Response to “The Law of Moses in the New Testament,”
“Should professing Christians buy worldly life insurance?” AV12, page 32.
In the past, older ministry taught against life insurance. I disagree with the idea that at least two of the Ten
Now the younger generation in charge seems to be okay Commandments were established at the creation, one of
with life insurance and does not teach against it. Little by which was the Sabbath. The Sabbath is clearly spoken of
little, we are experiencing changes on issues besides life as a memorial of creation, but there is no mention of it
insurance. The former guidelines and manner of order in as an instruction before the Ten Commandments were
the services are changing. These changes create a feeling given by God to Moses.
of instability in the church.
The Ten Commandments were not a separate code
If I, as a single girl without a father living, want to stay apart from the Law received by Moses. Notice how it
with the church and not personally have life insurance, starts: “I am the Lord your God who rescued you from
will that forfeit my entrance into heaven? I am desiring slavery in Egypt.” These words apply specifically to the
biblical instruction and living thereby, 24/7. people of Israel.
May the Lord direct your continued writings in If we interpret the Law of Moses as being separate from
Anabaptist Voice. Pray without ceasing. the Ten Commandments, we face an impossible dilemma
L.S. | Illinois because the Ten Commandments contain instruction
about the Sabbath. If anyone thinks they can keep the
Anabaptist Voice: You will definitely NOT forfeit your Sabbath, they probably don’t know what the Sabbath is.
entrance into heaven if you do not have life insurance. According to the way the Sabbath law was enforced
Christians have “life assurance” for free. in the book of Numbers, not only did they forbid work,
The life insurance of the world runs contrary to all but building a fire was a capital offense.
the teachings of the New Testament. “Take no thought R.L. | Maryland
for the morrow. Your heavenly Father will care for you.”
Life and even health insurance deny all care and Anabaptist Voice: The reasoning used in the article
support of the brotherhood in sickness and death. The “The Law of Moses in the New Testament” (AV12, page
world has no such support from a caring brotherhood 32) is based on the fulfillment of the Law of Moses by
and so they resort to expensive health insurance or state the coming of Christ. As the Jerusalem Conference
support to aid them instead. plainly teaches, we are no longer bound to keep the Law
One of the most common forms of life insurance are of Moses. For the Christian, we should not be smitten
to guarantee the payment of a bank loan in the event of of conscience if we do not keep it. The death penalty
death. In one case, when the loan officer wanted to insist for any sin is no longer in effect and that includes
the borrower needed to buy life insurance, the borrower Sabbath observance. God will mete out the penalty for
said simply, “If I need life insurance, I am borrowing too disobedience, sometimes on earth and sometimes after
much money.” No more was said about life insurance. death.

If one needs to borrow money for a business venture, There is no doubt that God’s covenant with Israel
it is best to borrow from a brother or a brotherhood- included the keeping of the Law of Moses and the Ten
sponsored group such as Anabaptist Financial. This does Commandments. But to say that the Ten Commandments
away with the need for life insurance and opens one to the were exclusively for the Children of Israel does not accord
counsel of brethren who are especially concerned with with the judgments of God upon the ancient world by
your life and your standing before God. the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the fear of Pharaoh

34 | Round Table Discussion

 and Abimelech lest they would be guilty of adultery by The Beard Is Natural
taking another man’s wife into their household. And in The first point for “wearing” a beard is the same as
Matthew 19:8 Jesus affirmed that the law against divorce “wearing” eyebrows and finger nails (Gen. 1:26-31). “So
was from the beginning and did not start at Sinai. God created man in his own image...and behold it was
When the apostle John said in Revelation 1:10 that he very good.”
was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, there must have been In the context of the Jew-Gentile discussion in Romans
some meaning to the “Lord’s Day.” This was not just any 9 is the rhetorical question, “Shall the thing formed say
day of the year when he chose to worship. From this we to him that formed it, ‘Why hast thou made me thus?’”
can understand that John observed the seven-day week (Genesis 1:20).
established at creation—six days of labor and one day
of rest. And taken for granted was that this was not the R.S. | Virginia
seventh day of the week, but the first day of the week.
John called this the “Lord’s Day” because on it Christ The Beard Is God’s Design
rose from the dead. Throughout the Old Testament we read of the man’s
beard. It’s normally mentioned in a negative circumstance,
Biblical Reasons for a Beard meaning that it is compromised or shaven off as an act of
sorrow, rejection, abandonment, etc. The only exceptions
The Bible does not give us a direct command for men might be in the case of an infectious disease, some type
to wear the beard but the Bible does give principles for of skin infection, or leprosy.
doing so, mainly for gender distinction.
Do we read of Jesus shaving off His beard? Isaiah 50:6
Genesis 1:27 reads, “So God created man in his seems to strongly suggest that He did have a beard and
own image, in the image of God created He them; that He did not shave it off.
male and female created He them.” Certain traits and
characteristics are called masculine; others are called God created men to have a beard, and He created
feminine. God wants an evident distinction between a women to be without a beard. It is a mark of the Creator’s
man and a woman. design for man, a mark of masculinity. Yes, there are
some exceptions to every man being able to grow a beard;
In Deuteronomy 22:5 we find this precept: “The but the greater question is that if a man is able to grow a
woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, beard, does he attempt to thwart its growth?
neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for all that
do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.” Here Does not Scripture call for women to honor God’s
we have a distinction in dress found in the Old Testament. creation design by guarding their long, uncut hair as a
God-given distinctive for women, a mark of her glory?
In I Corinthians 11:14-15 we find this New Testament Then why is the man to daily remove his unique mark of
precept: “Doth not even nature itself teach you that if God’s creation design for men, the beard? By His creation
a man have long hair it is a shame unto him? But if a principles God showed women are to have long uncut
woman have long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is hair; men are to have a beard.
given her for a covering.” Here we have a distinction in
the hair. Short or cut hair is masculine; long, uncut hair D.A. | Michigan
is feminine. The beard also is natural and masculine on
the man but unnatural on the woman. Anabaptist Voice: One can find some good arguments
for the wearing of the beard in the Old Testament … and
I believe Jesus had a beard. To me, it is more biblical for not trimming either the hair on a man’s head, his beard
to wear the beard than to shave it off. or his mustache. Consider Judge Samson (Judges 16:17),
D.H. | Ohio Prophet Samuel (I Samuel 1:11), and Prince Absalom (II
Samuel 14:25-26).
Not Explicitly Commanded Now consider the Nazarite vow found in Numbers 6:5
Since the beard is not explicitly commanded in where no razor was to touch the head during the period
Scripture, Christian liberty allows a choice on the beard. of the vow. From this we may infer that ordinarily an
Christians are to be non-judgmental, and charitable Israelite man did use a razor. Consider John the Baptist.
towards another’s choice. The brotherhood has authority Luke 1:15 and Luke 7:33 might cause us to think that
to give direction (Matthew 16:18-19; Romans 14). John the Baptist abode by the Nazarite standard of an
unshaven head.
A.C. | Missouri

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Round Table Discussion | 35

 On the other side we should study the purification Anabaptist Voice: One can study all the Scriptures and
rites for a Levite which included the shaving of the whole come to a conclusion on what is, or is not, permissible
body! (Numbers 8:7). So it appears that in the Old under the law. This is different than to study the Scriptures
Testament there were special times when both unshaven to find out what pleases God. Under the New Covenant
hair and shaven bodies signified a special holiness before where the law of God is written on our hearts we want
God. to obey Him and live out the intent (spirit) of the laws.
In the New Testament the apostle Paul in I Corinthians Many learned and wise men study the Scriptures on
11:14 says that long hair on a man is a disgrace to him. divorce and remarriage, military participation, swearing,
Paul also took a vow (Acts 21:23-24) and shaved his head, going to law, lying, and make “reasonable” interpretations
possibly including his beard and mustache. about how to NOT apply the Scriptures. True children
Various arguments can be made about the beard and of God want to apply the Scriptures, obey God, and do
the mustache, and the hair on the top of the man’s head. what pleases Him.
This is one area where we must exercise charity toward Certainly, continually lusting after a woman needs to
each other and respect the individual conscience. Where be repented of and stopped, or it will finally result in the
a church has taken a firm stand one way or another on act. But the thought is not the same as the act in God’s
the issue, one should not defy the established order but sight. The unregenerate heart filled with evil thoughts
submit or go elsewhere, rather than be contentious on is not the same as the believer who desires to maintain a
the subject. pure heart and thus flees evil things.
The whole chapter of Romans 14 gives us a lot of One can find many churches and individuals who
guidance that applies to this subject. We shall quote would agree with your interpretation of all the Scriptures
only the first verse: “Accept the one whose faith is weak, you use. We believe the position stated in “God Hates
without quarreling over disputable matters (NIV).” Divorce” and “Entangled” (living in celibacy in all
questionable entanglements is approved of God). And
God Can Forgive the practical issues and tragic experiences of devaluing
the sacredness of the marriage vows do not create
My response to “God Hates Divorce” (AV12, page 15) happiness. Only God’s way can free the conscience and
and “Entangled” (AV12, pages 37 & 39) differs with AV, bring lasting peace.
my church, and most conservative Mennonites. I have
four points outstanding on the issue. What matters is what God said and what He meant.
That is all that matters. God will be the final judge.
1. God hates not only divorce, God hates all sin. God
can forgive all sin except the unpardonable sin
(Mark 3:28-30).
2. It’s not fair for a church to allow someone to commit
fornication outside the marriage bond and then get
married, while NOT allowing a married person to
divorce and remarry.
3. When someone is divorced and repents and is then
remarried while the first person is still living, they
are not living in a state of adultery. Adultery is an
act, not a state. This means that a divorcee can be
forgiven, remarry and then live together in purity
before God.
4. It is very difficult and well nigh impossible to live
out the New Testament Law. This is saying that in
God’s sight, lusting after another woman is as bad
as committing adultery with her.
M.C.B. | Virginia

A forum for presenting differing viewpoints

36 | Round Table Discussion

 The Practical Side: Reader Responses

The Practical Side

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
­— Colossians 3:17
This recurring feature in Anabaptist Voice consists of three parts.
1. Reader Responses—feedback on previous stories
2. The Rest of the Story—what actually happened
3. New Stories—situations met by today’s Anabaptists
Here is your chance to help others live out the Gospel of Jesus
Christ “right in the corner where they are.” This section is not for
some idealistic future kingdom posing theological complicated
questions with no good answers—for example, the woman who
had seven brothers as husbands (Matthew 22:24-28).
Take the time to write Anabaptist Voice and share your situations
where you faced a difficulty... and failed, or won a victory. As you
ponder the situations in these stories and then share your answers
and experiences with others, remember the words of Jesus when
He told the packed-out house, “My mother and brothers are those
who hear God’s Word and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21). The Practical Side: Work Boots Required

The Practical Side: Reader Responses

Reader responses to stories from previous issues.

Go Easy
by Fore Gotten
I have a thought on “No Rules” The writer did the best thing—eliminate a source of
(AV12, page 40). conflict. It would have been very easy to escalate it!
People under the influence “Love the sinner, hate the sin.”
of alcohol tend to become Behavior can be a sign of what is happening inside.
argumentative and, at times, even Remember that we have Christians in our midst that were
violent. To help keep situations once slaves to alcohol or drugs. “Bobby” could someday
calm, perhaps you can remind yourself that it’s the alcohol join them. The next time Con sees Bobby, he can act like
talking, or the drugs, or it is a misunderstanding of a nothing happened—there’s a very good chance Bobby
situation. will have no memory of this altercation.

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 The Practical Side: Reader Responses | 37

The Practical Side: Reader's Responses

Spirit and Life concluded the same thing. Here is where they came out
by Atlee Rest on that question: “Certain which went out from us have
troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying,
My heart aches for the dear writer ‘Ye must be circumcised, and keep the Law: to whom we
troubled by Jesus’ teaching that gave no such commandment’” (Acts 15:24). It is difficult
“Whosoever therefore shall break to get more specific and lucid than that, so along with
one of these least commandments, Jesus’ approach I rest in their understanding.
and shall teach men so, he shall
be called least in the kingdom of “So then, brethren, we are not children of the
heaven: but whosoever shall do and bondwoman, but of the free” (Galatians 4:31). May it
teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom really be so!
of heaven.” It is no fun to find oneself in a moral corner,
and yet it is right to be downright serious about what
Jesus said. May God bless this writer with a resolution to
this matter (See “Dead End,” AV12, page 38). Set Apart
I have found rest in relation to this verse by examining by Standly Firmer
Jesus’ teaching that surrounds it. Jesus’ very next sentence
I have a reply to “Extra Power
is, “For I say unto you, ‘That except your righteousness
Darkness” (AV12, page 41).
shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and
Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of I thought it was very good the
heaven.’” Seeing that Jesus says our righteousness must writer sought additional counsel
surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, how will we about the electrical requirements
ever get there by taking the exact same approach to the for the building. (In addition to a
Law they took? light source, the electricity could provide heat on cooler
days.)
Jesus’ approach to the Law in the rest of this same
passage is hardly characteristic of the scribes and Despite the fact that marijuana is legal in many states
Pharisees. He addressed some of the most important now, it does not mean that Christians should go along
parts of the Law, and every time in essence He said, “The with something we deem unethical. For example, we
Law doesn’t deal with the root of the matter; you must do not promote the sale of alcohol or tobacco products.
go deeper than that.” Does the Law say, “Thou shalt not There are many things that are legal in the world that
kill?” Only reconciliation and love will deal with what we choose not to participate in. Let this be one more
causes people to kill. thing that sets us apart from the world.
Does the Law say, “Thou shalt not commit adultery?”
If you want real righteousness, get serious about your
thoughts and those freedoms that cause you to stumble!
“Perform to the Lord your oaths?” An eye for an eye?
Alms? Prayers? Fasting? These are all commandments
Bad Motives, Bad Results
of the Law that Jesus addressed in the same sermon.
by Happy E. Nuff
Jesus’ burden to get to the heart of the Law undergirds
His teaching all the way through. Our righteousness Bad decisions before a marriage
will exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees only as we plant seeds for divorce. I tell the
adopt His approach to the Law and keep the spirit of the following to warn young people to
commandments from the depth of our hearts. be careful.
Surely Peter himself—who stood near Jesus when Jesus I have a cousin who went to his
spoke those words that so easily trouble us—surely Peter church college in Michigan. One of
understood what Jesus had in mind when He said to “do the persons he met was Sandy. After college they both
and teach” even the “least important” commandments. went back to their home areas.
Yet Peter called the requirement to keep the Law “a
Sandy got engaged to another man in her home area,
yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our
but then her boyfriend broke the engagement. My cousin
fathers nor we were able to bear” (Acts 15:10). And there
should have heeded some of the warning signs about
were others with Jesus that day who, along with Peter,
Sandy’s character.

38 | The Practical Side: Reader's Responses

 After that, Sandy needed a job. So my cousin said My personal story follows; I was 19 and my girlfriend
that he could get her a job near to where he lived. Her just graduated from high school. The next step in her life
response was that the only way she would move there was to get married and have children. I thought that it
was if they were married. However, Sandy had a scheme. could be a good marriage, except I was not ready to accept
She believed her former boyfriend would get jealous the responsibilities of being a husband and a father. So
and come back to her when he learned she was getting we parted company. In about one year she was married
married. He probably knew her conniving nature and to another man. I think it was a good marriage. She
didn’t come back. supported his preaching ministry well.
Well, to save face, Sandy decided to go ahead and I didn’t get married until I was 24. With the Lord’s
marry my cousin. But on the honeymoon, she told my direction, I made a good choice. We have been happily
cousin that she didn’t love him, she never did, and never married 51 ½ years.
would. I need not say how that marriage ended. It was
not by death. Love does not hold a marriage together.
Commitment holds a marriage together and love makes
it enjoyable.

The Practical Side: The Rest of the Story

What really happened in conclusion to stories from previous issues.

No Rules Looking back, I am so grateful for the threat that

Bobby made to me, as strange as that may seem, because
by Con Fronted
it is through incidents like this that faith can be put to the
This incident with Bobby (AV12, test and hopefully put into action.
page 40) happened back in 2017, but
unfortunately I haven’t seen him
since. Every week I volunteer at the
homeless shelter, and I have often
thought of Bobby. I wondered if he
would be back.
So many of the guests at the shelter, stuck in the cycle
of homelessness, do come back again and again. I hope
Bobby is different and no longer homeless. But I would Extra Power Darkness
like to see him again. Maybe I could respond to him in by M. Doubting
a more radical loving way, rather than avoidance. After discussing whether we
For me, the incident with Bobby solidified in my mind should bid on this shed or not
that nonresistance is not just about military conscription. (AV12, page 41), we decided we
It is about living out Jesus’ command to love one’s enemies didn’t have time to research and find
in all of our conflicts. Jesus calls us as agents of His peace answers for all the questions we had.
to lay down our lives for others, including our enemies— And how could we know if the
whether it is the threatening guest at the homeless shelter, prospective customers were telling us the full truth? So
the backstabbing brother, the active shooter, or the we told the prospective customers that we were not able
Roman soldier holding the nails and hammer at the foot to build a shed for them.
of the cross.

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 The Practical Side: The Rest of the Story | 39
 The Practical Side: New Stories
Real world situations met by today’s Anabaptists.

Help! Help! Practical Questions:

by Hess I. Tente 1. Is it the right thing to only stand by and watch
I was walking down the street a robbery take place?
towards our bookstore in our local 2. What are possible courses of action a
town. Suddenly I heard a woman’s nonresistant follower of Jesus could take in this
voice, “Help! Help! Please help situation?
me!” I looked across the street to 3. What should the brother have done when
see a stylish young woman trying witnessing the taxicab dispute?
to run down the street. A few yards
in front of her a young villain ran pell-mell, hauling off
with her backpack.
“Help me! My wallet’s in there!” she screamed. I was Delicate Issue
about 50 feet away from the scene. If I would take off as
fast as I could, I could possibly overtake the thief. There by Emma Mazed
is no police or guard nearby; few other people are on the Our congregation is reading
street who hear the commotion. The Upward Call by John Coblentz.
I stood there, barely believing what I was witnessing. Last night’s session covered pages
What should I have done? The Bible says, “Resist not evil.” 87-93, which included the topics
But it also says, “And as ye would that men should do of adultery, fornication, and incest.
to you, do ye also to them likewise.” I knew if it was my As a former Catholic, I wondered
backpack the robber was carrying, I would have wanted how this would be handled—any
someone to tackle him. Catholic priest preaching in depth on this would find
his congregation squirming uncomfortably in their pews!
What if the robber was armed? But there was no time
for a doctrinal dissertation. The villain was turning onto I had read this section in The Upward Call prior to
a side street and making great gains ahead of the pursuing the meeting and my initial thought was, “Are we going
woman. to discuss this with children present?” At no time in
all my years of being Catholic was a topic similar to
What should I, as a nonresistant peace-loving follower this discussed. (Maybe that’s one reason the Catholic
of Christ, have done? Church has had such trouble with sexual immorality.)
If the church deems it inappropriate to share, teach, and
discuss matters similar to last night’s session, then no
*********
one really has to “trouble their minds” with the topic,
including the clergy.
Here’s another similar situation: It dawned on me that while I have heard teaching
A brother from our church witnessed this happening in sermons using this terminology and discussing this
on the street. topic, Mennonite youth grow up hearing the biblical
teachings of sexual morality—all immorality is called sin
A taxi with two bitterly arguing individuals stopped.
and comes under the judgment of God. God’s standard
They got out to face each other on the street. They
is not hidden away or considered taboo. Children learn
screamed and hollered at each other for a while. Then
right up front exactly what God expects of them with
the man started kicking and beating the woman. She
regards to sexuality. It is simply a part of life, like learning
screamed for help. Soon he shoved her back in the taxi
how to manage an efficient household.
and they took off.
This mindset is reflected in the courses on “Christian
What should our brother have done?
Womanhood” and “Christian Manhood” at Bible schools
and in booklets espousing Christian courtship. Again,
the subject is not hidden; it is discussed openly.

40 | The Practical Side: New Stories

 In addition to preaching, Bible courses, and booklets I had to leave the church I was attending because of
about how to live a pure Christian life, there are plenty the worldliness and emphasis on social justice and the
of wholesome opportunities for youth to be together— building up of the person rather than presenting Jesus
skating, ball games, ping pong, schools, choirs, and service as the center of our faith. I won’t go into detail about all
opportunities that are also chaperoned. It’s like the entire that was going on in that church.
church is encouraging, supporting, and embracing its We don’t have any churches of the Anabaptist faith in
youth as they mature. my area. I have corresponded at one time with a church
in another part of Mississippi, but it would not be possible
Practical Questions: for me to drive that far. So I want you to know how
1. At what age should children read the Old grateful I am to God to find your magazine.
Testament accounts of sexual standards and Several years ago I began researching beliefs of
sins—like multiple wives? Christians who had lived in other centuries just to see
2. If parents do not discuss sex with children, what they believed and how far the church of today has
where and when will they get their wandered off course. It was during this time I read of the
information? Waldensians and then of the Anabaptists. I felt as if I had
come home! So many of their beliefs spoke to my heart.
I have had trouble voting for years and didn’t know
why. My father was very patriotic and saw voting as a great
privilege and encouraged us to feel the same way. This
past presidential election, I just could not bring myself
to go vote; neither candidate represented anything that
seemed righteous to me. I can’t tell you the guilt I suffered
for not voting. One day I was reading in a devotional
Finding My Way (can’t remember who wrote it) and came across these
by Ona Track words of wisdom, “If it comes to a choice between the
lesser of two evils, choose neither, evil is still evil.” That
How grateful to God I am to
statement brought such relief to my heart!
have found your magazine.
Then I read in Anabaptist Voice the Anabaptist beliefs
I have been a Christian going
about mixing politics and church, and now it all seems
on 50 years. During this whole
so clear to me. I still struggle with the voting thing, but I
time, there always seemed to be
am sure God will continue to make things clearer for me.
something missing—not God, not
Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, but the teaching I received in I will pray for you and your staff that is putting
Protestantism just didn’t seem complete. There was so together such a wonderful magazine. Please know how it
much confusion about law and grace or works versus is a lifeline thrown out to many of us who are floundering
resting on Jesus’ atoning work. in a sea of misinformation and apostasy. I have some
friends who have come out of their churches too and I
The teaching I heard always appeared to me as though
intend to share these teachings with them.
it had to be law OR grace, belief OR works; one or the
other. No one taught it should be both—law AND Practical Questions:
grace, belief AND works—and that one should not try
to separate them. 1. What is the antidote for things missing in your
church?
Among my friends, keeping the commandments
was always called “works salvation.” This fear of being 2. How do you explain why followers of Jesus
labeled “works Christians” showed in the lives of most should not vote?
Christians I knew, despite the commandments of Jesus 3. Should not an Anabaptist church send disciples
and the admonitions of the Apostles to do and not do on regular visits to Clinton, Mississippi? Is God
certain things. calling YOU?
Frankly, I just got weary of all the arguing over
doctrine and theology, denominational beliefs, and the
beliefs of the various “new movements” going around.

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 The Practical Side: New Stories | 41

 Upcoming Events
If you know of any meetings or events that would benefit the Kingdom of Christ and are open to attendance by
the general Anabaptist community, please let us know so we can continue to feature this section in future issues.

Salt & Light: Facilitator Orientation Seminar

Register for upcoming training seminars. There are two seminars scheduled:
Ephrata Business Center, Ephrata PA Haven Fellowship, Plain City, OH
Apr. 25, 26, and 27, 2019 Sept. 26, 27, and 28, 2019
(Thurs. evening, Fri., and Sat. morning) (Thurs. evening, Fri., and Sat. morning)
Registration Deadline: April 1 Registration Deadline: Sept. 3

For more information or to register:

Call: 330.893.2428 | Email: saltandlight@camoh.org | Visit: www.christianaidministries.org/salt-light

Highlights of the seminars include the following speakers and topics:

Sessions by Gary Miller: Sessions by Clyde Zimmerman:
Analyzing World Views Introduction to the Salt & Light Program
The Impact of Culture High Level Salt & Light Course Review
Adapting to Changing Conditions Practical Steps of Salt & Light
Learning to Categorize Needs Course Tips and Best Practices

Breakout Discussion Groups: Sessions by Joe Hess:

Example of a Real-Life Salt & Light Course Do I Know My Neighbor
Emulate a Real-Life Salt & Light Course A Tool for Outreach in the Kingdom
Share Your Initial Course Plans Consensus Building in Your Home Church

Recommended reading before attending:

Books by Gary Miller:
Life In A Global Village
This Side of the Global Wall

Book by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert:

How To Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . And Yourself

42 | Upcoming Events
 Circulation & Financial Statements
Income & Expense Report Circulation Report
January thru March 2019 March 2019

January 2019 Beginning Balance $14,203.04 Issue #8 - Actual Numbers

Print Qty: 4,500 | Operating Cost: $7,695
Cost Per Copy: $1.71/ea.
Income
Donations $11,591.00 Issue #9 - Actual Numbers
Local Support* $1,000.00 Print Qty: 4,600 | Operating Cost: $8,100
Cost Per Copy: $1.76/ea.
Total Income $12,591.00
Issue #10 - Actual Numbers
Expenses Print Qty: 4,600 | Operating Cost: $8,488
Handling & Packaging $592.00 Cost Per Copy: $1.84/ea.

Postage $2,673.53
Issue #11 - Actual Numbers
Printing $4,848.00 Print Qty: 4,500 | Operating Cost: $9,150
Staff Expenses $350.83 Cost Per Copy: $2.03/ea.

Total Expense $8,464.36 Issue #12 - Actual Numbers

Print Qty: 4,600 | Operating Cost: $8,464
Cost Per Copy: $1.84/ea.
March 2019 Ending Balance $18,329.68
*see section “Our Finances” on Page 4 for more info.

Proverbs Illustrated
The book of Proverbs teaches many memorable lessons with word pictures. Anabaptist Voice would like to include
in “Proverbs Illustrated” your original sketch illustrating some of the great truths found in this book of wisdom.

Illustration by Sheldon Wadel, 10 yrs old

Issue 13 - Spring 2019 Circulation & Financial Statements | 43

Anabaptist Voice
5282 Hwy. 56 South
Waynesboro, GA 30830
editor@anabaptistvoice.com
www.anabaptistvoice.com

“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are

here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will cer-
tainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
Matthew 6:30