What did a team of four students learn when they spent several days (and nights) on the streets of Dallas? Their goal was to hear from people experiencing homelessness and get a small taste of that Homelessness directly affects about 580,000 Americans, but most of us don’t encounter these individuals face to face. Our guests in this episode temporarily surrendered their comfort and ease to live among those who have been less fortunate. View the project website . Here is the testimony they mentio...
May 05, 2022•33 min•Season 4Ep. 154
Years ago John taught the book of Luke in a high school classroom. This launched his journey of faith into what he terms “voluntary poverty,” or non-accumulation of wealth. In this episode he shares some practical parts of this journey and comments on when the rubber meets the road in his later years. This is the 153rd episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought. Visit our YouTube channel Conne...
Apr 28, 2022•17 min•Season 4Ep. 153
It is good to work and to be invested in our work. Distributism fits well with traditional Anabaptist values, even though it has largely been articulated by Catholic thinkers. Stephen Russell urges us to “look at distributism and see how it fits with what we have traditionally tried to do, and learn from it”. These themes include valuing craftsmanship, family businesses, and widespread ownership of the tools and infrastructure needed for business. Recommended Resources: The Hound of Distributism...
Apr 21, 2022•26 min•Season 4Ep. 152
What does Scripture have to say about loaning money at interest? Do Old Testament prohibitions apply to us? How does collecting interest fit with working with our own hands and being productive? Stephen Russell gives us glimpses into how the church has thought about this over the last two millenia, and how Christian thinking changed as economic systems changed. Stephen calls us to see God’s heart as revealed in the Old Testament year of Jubilee. Recommended Resource: https://www.crisismagazine.c...
Apr 14, 2022•14 min•Ep. 151
Is the kingdom message socialism? What does the New Testament say about interest and lending? What about interest on business loans? And what really is laying up treasures in heaven? John calls us back to the willingness to give and share as the foundational issue for all of these questions. This is the 150th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought. Visit our YouTube channel ! Connect with ...
Apr 07, 2022•17 min•Season 4Ep. 150
Money has rarely been far removed from the biblical narratives or major conversations of the church since the New Testament. Between the close of the New Testament and the protestant reformation, the church had much to say about usury. Stephen Russell, a student of history, orients us to the church’s premodern stance on usury. Recommended Resource: https://www.crisismagazine.com/2011/catholics-and-usury-a-tragic-history This is the 149th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and Y...
Mar 31, 2022•17 min•Season 4Ep. 149
Kevin Brechbill urges business owners to pay employees well think carefully about where to give money, and to build accountability and transparency around their role as business owners. Recommended Resources: Money, Possessions, Eternity by Randy Alcorn. https://amzn.to/3ujopoy This is the 148th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought. Visit our YouTube channel Connect with us on Facebook L...
Mar 24, 2022•15 min•Season 4Ep. 148
What are the basic ideas for understanding how Christians should value and relate to money? John D. Martin points us to the Old Testament year of Jubilee and Jesus’s teachings about laying up treasures. He challenges us to embrace Jesus’s values and ensure we are worshiping him, not money. Recommended Resources: Through the Eye of a Needle by Roger Hertzler: https://scrollpublishing.com/products/through-the-eye-of-a-needle/ Various works by James M. Stayer: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Mar 17, 2022•17 min•Season 4Ep. 147
This is a sample chapter from David’s Bercot’s book In God We Don’t Trust . We helped produce the audiobook version, and are excited to share a few chapters with you during the month of December. You can find the complete book at the links below or on any major audiobook platform. If you would like to make a year-end donation to Anabaptist Perspectives, you can do so at: Anabaptistperspectives.org 127 County Road 616, Athens, TN 37303 Links for Audiobook: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/id1...
Dec 30, 2021•19 min
This is a sample chapter from David’s Bercot’s book In God We Don’t Trust . We helped produce the audiobook version, and are excited to share a few chapters with you during the month of December. You can find the complete book at the links below or on any major audiobook platform. If you would like to make a year-end donation to Anabaptist Perspectives, you can do so at: Anabaptistperspectives.org 127 County Road 616, Athens, TN 37303 Links for Audiobook: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/id1...
Dec 23, 2021•9 min
This is a sample chapter from David’s Bercot’s book In God We Don’t Trust . We helped produce the audiobook version, and are excited to share a few chapters with you during the month of December. You can find the complete book at the links below or on any major audiobook platform. If you would like to make a year-end donation to Anabaptist Perspectives, you can do so at: Anabaptistperspectives.org 127 County Road 616, Athens, TN 37303 Links for Audiobook: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/id1...
Dec 16, 2021•13 min
This week our special Ask Anabaptist Anything Podcast (normally reserved for monthly partners) is available for all supporters and fans. Thanks so much for your interest and support for Anabaptist Perspectives! In this piece Reagan and Jaran give a brief update and explain why our financial partners are so important to the mission. We are excited to continue producing content for Season 4 and following. Listen to Ask Anabaptist Perspectives Anything episodes or join the monthly partner program a...
Nov 30, 2021•4 min
Biblically, stewardship includes our skills and social roles, not just our use of money. It is about the role we play in God’s household. Marlin Sommers, Kyle Stoltzfus, and Reagan Schrock discuss these concepts and how they can practically play out. Marlin shows us how being a manager in God’s household is much more involved than it is often given credit for. This conversation is based around three essays Marlin wrote for our blog: “Essays for King Jesus.” Watch a short animated video based on ...
Sep 16, 2021•39 min•Season 3Ep. 146
Why do we need so many Bible translations? How can we take advantage of this broad variety? Marlin Sommers, Kyle Stoltzfus, and Reagan Schrock discuss two essays about translations that Marlin wrote. Read the first essay: https://anabaptistperspectives.org/why-new-bible-translations-matter-an-example/ Read the second essay: https://anabaptistperspectives.org/choosing-translations-for-bible-study/ This is the 145th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that exam...
Sep 09, 2021•39 min•Season 3Ep. 145
What does the Bible mean when it uses the term “powers”? Can understanding powers and Anabaptist history help Anabaptists today understand themselves better? Marlin interviews Kyle Stoltzfus about his essay “Seeking Better Vision: Anabaptists, History, and the Powers” https://anabaptistperspectives.org/seeking-better-vision/. This is the 144th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought. Read o...
Sep 02, 2021•35 min•Season 3Ep. 144
What kind of stories do displaced women have? How does abuse affect people? Kate works in Athens Greece with displaced woman who have experienced trauma and abuse. She shares about her work of bringing healing to these people. “The impact of trauma, he [Jesus] overcame when he resurrected that third day.” This is the 143rd episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought. Read our blog: https://www....
Aug 26, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 143
What should Anabaptists (and Protestants) learn from this scholar who stayed with the Catholic church? Why did Erasmus refuse to leave his church? Stephen Russell tells about the life, writings, and convictions of Desiderius Erasmus. “Looking at one man like this, Erasmus, who did not become a protestant and did not become an Anabaptist and yet greatly shaped both: I think it should help us realize we need to try to understand history, understand people where they were, and see how that can help...
Aug 19, 2021•23 min•Season 3Ep. 142
Allen Roth tells about planting Followers of Jesus Mennonite Church. In 1986, Allen and Carolyn Roth moved to Brooklyn, New York to help plant a church. Allen also shares about the types of ministry that he has seen work well and those that have not. “Success is defined in people coming to Christ, in becoming committed members of the church, in reaching out in their own neighborhood, in starting another church, in sending out missionaries, in winning their own children to Christ; to me, that is ...
Aug 12, 2021•16 min•Season 3Ep. 141
How can you help someone who is new in your country to feel at home? What traits do Anabaptists specifically have that are attractive to foreigners? Ernest Eby shares stories and examples of ministry to the international scholars at Penn State University. “Before the world was created, God had appointed that the international people living close to you would be placed there so that they would seek the Lord and find Him.” Oxford Picture Dictionary: English/Spanish https://amzn.to/3jpFw2k This is ...
Aug 05, 2021•30 min•Season 3Ep. 140
What is success in teaching? “One [success] is that over time students become more like Jesus. On a more academic side, one of the things that I look for in my students is that over time they become better thinkers.” John Kuhns loves learning and strives to pass this to his students by teaching well. John is a teacher at Faith Builders Christian School. https://www.fbep.org/ministries/fbcs This is the 139th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines va...
Jul 29, 2021•29 min•Ep. 139
Can owning a company help one serve God? How does a business develop a Kingdom focus? Verlon Miller describes what he has seen on the inside of Anabaptist businesses as a business advisor. Verlon has been blessed to see the generosity many business owners have. Find more information about Gehman Business Advisors: https://www.gehmanaccounting.com/gehman-business-advisors You can become a Patron with a monthly contribution of any amount. Gain instant access to over 20 episodes of Ask Anabaptist P...
Jul 22, 2021•28 min•Ep. 138
As a youth, Stephen Russell was politically active in the pro-life movement. As he grew in his understanding of life and Christ, he recognized that speaking to the heart was more effective than changing political policy. “If I impose a Christian morality on others, I haven’t really helped them move forward in their own lives.” Blinded By Might: https://amzn.to/3ADzVx8 You can become a Patron with a monthly contribution of any amount. Gain instant access to 20 episodes of Ask Anabaptist Perspecti...
Jul 15, 2021•22 min•Ep. 137
I live in a country where voting is mandatory, is it okay to vote? What is the correct response to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions? Why don’t Anabaptists just call themselves “Early Church”? Today Jaran Miller, Reagan Schrock, and Marlin Sommers respond to three questions from our audience. Jaran, Reagan, and Marlin are all on the Anabaptist Perspectives administrative team. In Episode 132 they responded to audience comments regarding missions https://youtu.be/tswk3g5Fvx8. We regularly respon...
Jul 08, 2021•28 min•Ep. 136
How can higher education strengthen one’s faith? What about going to college leads people away from Christ? Vince Beiler discusses how his education interacts with his faith. Vince asks, “[W]hen Christians who join academia become agnostic, is the problem with the Christian or with the organization they entered? This is the 135th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought. Read our blog: https...
Jul 01, 2021•17 min•Ep. 135
What is the Christian response to the trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin? What does real justice for George Floyd look like? How should the Church help to fix racism? Zack Johnson discusses ideal justice. The Christian’s hope is in total love for God and humans. Zachary Johnson serves as Dean of Students at Sattler College. https://www.sattlercollege.org/ He formerly worked for the US Air force before receiving honorable discharge as a conscientious objector. Zack talks more about “No Blood b...
Jun 24, 2021•35 min•Ep. 134
What is it like to live closely with Christians from a different culture? Daniel shares stories of his interaction with the Chinese church. His faith was challenged and he saw the need to accept the simple interpretation of the Bible. See our previous episode for more of Daniel's personal journey following Christ. https://youtu.be/R3IvctNiVhk Patrons can view a bonus clip where Daniel Willis tells why he is so excited about David Bercot's commentary on Matthew 1-13. https://www.patreon.com/anaba...
Jun 17, 2021•15 min•Ep. 133
Do foreign missions cause more harm or good? How can missionaries keep from merging their culture and the gospel? Three members of the Anabaptist Perspectives administrative team, Jaran, Marlin, and Reagan, discuss feedback that we have received from our audience. Jaran, Marlin, and Reagan are all frequent contributors to our Patron exclusive Ask Anabaptist Perspectives Anything Podcast. https://www.patreon.com/anabaptistperspectives?filters[tag]=Ask%20Us%20Anything%20Podcast Hear Renee Bach’s s...
Jun 10, 2021•36 min•Ep. 132
It is impossible to live without tradition. How can we minimize the liabilities? How can we use tradition for our benefit? “The most destructive traditions that are there claim not to be traditions. Our job is many times to excavate a little bit behind and say, ‘Well, there is actually continuity here. This is a tradition too: here are the strengths, here are the liabilities.” This is the final episode of a three-part series with Kyle Stoltzfus about tradition and heritage. Consider listening to...
Jun 02, 2021•21 min•Ep. 131
What is the importance of knowing Hebrew? Why would one go to Cambridge to study language? Vince Beiler explains how understanding the original languages of the Bible helps us to understand it better. “So much [of] what you see in the Hebrew Bible is an open ended discussion, an invitation to think about something on a much deeper level.” Buy: “Genesis: The Story We Haven’t Heard” https://amzn.to/3vpNddT This is the 130th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel t...
May 27, 2021•18 min•Ep. 130
Does being human require tradition? What are examples of tradition in Scripture? Kyle Stoltzfus explains the necessity of tradition in Christianity. “This is about benefiting from, appreciating, and participating in a cultural legacy larger than oneself. The central burden is that we are recipients of spiritual and moral wealth. We can respond in a variety of ways to this: indulgently, critically, or constructively.” This is the second part of a three-part series with Kyle. Consider listening to...
May 20, 2021•22 min•Ep. 129
