An Introduction to Mennonite History

by Cornelius J. Dyck

A unique resource for a generation, the preeminent textbook in its field. Cornelius J. Dyck interacts with the many changes in the Anabaptist/Mennonite experience and historical understandings in this revised and updated edition. This is a history of Mennonites from the 16th century to the present. Though simply written, it reflects fine scholarship and deep Christian concern.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction

456 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Czarny Pies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cornelius Dyck's "An Introduction to Mennonite History" is now badly out of date. It does not address the issues about Mennonism currently being discussed in society and makes assumptions about the reader's background knowledge that are no longer approrpriate. The first edition was published in 1967. The third edition released in 1993 that I read still felt like a work from the sixties. As we approach the end of the second decade of the 20th century something new is needed. The problem is obviously how to fund it as there are probably less than half a dozen universities in the world where courses on Mennonite history are offered. We may be stuck with this highly unsatisfactory work for some time.

"An Introduction to Mennonite History" unquestionably has some value. Its prime merit is that it explains how today there are roughly 1.5 million Mennonites word wide of which roughly 700,000 live in North America. It begins with the birth of the Anabaptism movement in 1525 in Switzerland and then moves to the conversion to Anabaptism in 1536 of Menno Simons a Roman Catholic priest living in the Low Countries whose name would be used to designate the Mennonite faction of the Anabaptist movement. It recounts how a large segment of the Mennonite population would move to Russia in the 18th century attracted by free land and the right to live in their own self-governing communities. In the 19th Century there would be a large emigration to North America as pressure to conform to social norms increased in Europe. After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 the Russian Mennonites would flee to join their co-religionists in Canada and the USA.

Another of the great strengths of the book is that it provides first rate sections on the Mennonite Church in Africa and Asia which now account for over half of the world's baptized Mennonites. However, an update is clearly needed for today's reader.

A disappointment is the book's superficial treatment of Mennonite life in North America It fails to address " taeuferkrankhiet", i.e. the tendency of Mennonites to continually split into factions. It touches only superficially on the struggle of North American Mennonites to maintain their own German language school system and their resistance to military service. It does not address the impact of the Protestant evangelic movement on the Mennonites nor does it deal with their reluctance to create Sunday schools.

A major problem for many readers is that Dyck assumes that his readers have a good understanding of Mennonite religious doctrines and practices. While this is perhaps a reasonable assumption given the book's intended market, it certainly diminishes the value of the work for non-Mennonites. An equally serious problem is that Dyck also assumes on the part of his readers have a basic knowledge of the beliefs and practices of the mainstream Christian churches (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc.) North American undergraduates would have had in the 1960s but no longer do.

Personally my biggest disappointment was that Dyck never addressed the prime criticism of the Mennonite Church which I have heard from a number of its members which is that the Mennonite communities tend to bully their members and excommunicate them for very trivial reasons. The first story in this vein that I heard was of a Mennonite plumber in my home town who in violation of the rule not to work on the Lord's day was expelled from his Mennonite Church for unclogging a septic tank on Sunday. The Mennonite enthusiasm for excommunications and shunning has also been brilliantly exposed in Miriam Toews' "Complicated Kindness" which won Canada's 2004 Governor General's prize.

In my view, Mennonites and the Mennonite Church make great contributions to my country. However, I do feel that the academic writings should address the criticisms made of Mennonism rather than ignore them.

[Logan Streondj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough though somewhat dry overview of menonnite/anabaptist history from it's origins to all the places in the world where it has spread. While it does start with Jesus, it mostly focuses on pre-protestant and protestant europe as the begining, and then follows Europe for a while. But does end up covering all the continents except Antarctica.
Worth archiving. I got more out of it during the second reading.

[J F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not know how to rate a non-fiction book. Does it clearly and accurately describe the thing it set out to describe? If yes, then I guess it succeeded.

Anyways, I enjoyed this read through Mennonite history, especially the older history. It traces the various splinter groups so I finally understand the connection between the Mennonites and the Hutterites. One thing that wasn't clear to me is there are the (Old) Mennonites and the Old Order, but do the former dress old fashion as do the Old Order? (Old) I simply had no frame of reference as I mostly know MB and General Conference with a vague awareness of Old Order and Evangelical Mennonites. In any event, it seems the most non-conforming where the first to leave Europe, which explains why the oldest groups in North America are the most tradition bound in their dress and appearance.

The book obviously needs a newer edition as it was written and therefore ends in the 60's. It's the latest history that I found the least interesting as it described which groups settled in which territories- shades of tribe counting in the book of Numbers, I suppose. Selfishly, I only cared about my own groups :)

But the book is at its best describing the Mennonite struggle in the wake of the Reformation. So many interesting stories (one hardline pastor managed to excommunicate his entire church except himself and his wife.)

A great comprehensive read of Mennonite history from the Reformation until the middle of the 20th Century for anyone looking to know more of the history of the various splinter groups.

[Tim Chesterton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good primer in Anabaptist-Mennonite history. Two things come to mind:

First, any attempt to write such a history has to deal with the issue of whether the word 'Mennonite' describes an ethnic heritage, or a distinct approach to Christianity—and if the answer is 'both', then how are they related to each other and how do we clarify, at any given time, which one we're talking about? In the earlier chapters of this book, describing the 16th century radical Reformation, it was fairly clear that a spiritual movement was being described. In the second half of the book, as the Mennonites migrated across the globe in the search of freedom to practice their distinctive way of life, it was not so clear.

Second, this book is now somewhat dated, as it was last revised in 1993. If it is to retain its usefulness, it needs a new edition to bring the story up to the present day. A lot has changed in thirty-one years!

[Mikey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am interested in Church History and I feel that the Anabaptist movements and/or branches were obviously an important chapter in that history. It is important to me in other personal ways as well. The book itself was a bit daunting at times to get through but I felt it was worth the time. *(nearly two months) I learned quite a bit. One of the elements that was impressed upon me while reading had to do with how often the various groups found favor with their neighbors in new lands mainly through diligent hard work and some innovation.

While reading the book I learned that my grandfather on my fathers side of the family was from a Mennonite family. So that was interesting! It really had nothing to do with the book itself except my Dad told me that when I mentioned what I was currently reading.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The classic text on Mennonite history which I'e read before. This time I focused primarily on the parts about Northern Europe. If you are interested in Mennonite history you don't want to miss this book.

[Matthew George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A more correct title would be "An Introduction to Anabaptist History." An interesting and informative book, though a bit plodding at times.

[Samuel Derous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heel nauwgezette, klare uiteenzetting van de Mennonnieten, al wordt er iets teveel aandacht besteed aan de verhuizing naar Amerika.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to Anabaptists, including Mennonites, starting in the founding, working through the ages and a recent view of the global Mennonite community. A great introduction to Mennonite history.