Post by Josh on Jun 21, 2009 19:36:11 GMT -8
So, the church I grew up in (Apostolic Christian Church) would probably best be described as an anabaptist offshoot.
It had it's origins in Europe as a dissenting church often persecuted by the "state church"- I believe both Lutheran and Catholic.
As far as doctrinal and practical distinctives it was historically (and still in some places) known for it's pacifism, refusal to swear oaths, focus on holiness (sometimes to the extreme) and separating oneself from "the world", close community, conservative social customs (headcoverings for women, no jewelry), spontaneous preaching, general mistrust of the outside Christian community, lay ministry, somewhat suspicious of intellectualism, etc..
The denomination in the last 75 years has split three times, and is currently a fairly diverse association. The church I grew up in in Portland was probably one of the most progressive in the denomination- and continues to be. The church Rose grew up in in San Diego was defintely on the more conservative end.
You might recognize other more famous denominations of the "Anabaptist" tradition: Brethren, Nazarenes, Mennonites, etc..
Each with their differences, but with some key commonalities.
Anyway, for those of you who were at Aletheia when Steve Gregg was teaching, I thought I heard him say something about a film called "The Radicals"- about the plight of the early Anabaptists. I was coming back from the restroom, so I missed it. Did I hear him right? Anyway, I remember watching that video and liking it.
Incidentally, does anyone know why "Anabaptists" were called "Anabaptists"? It's kind of interesting.
It had it's origins in Europe as a dissenting church often persecuted by the "state church"- I believe both Lutheran and Catholic.
As far as doctrinal and practical distinctives it was historically (and still in some places) known for it's pacifism, refusal to swear oaths, focus on holiness (sometimes to the extreme) and separating oneself from "the world", close community, conservative social customs (headcoverings for women, no jewelry), spontaneous preaching, general mistrust of the outside Christian community, lay ministry, somewhat suspicious of intellectualism, etc..
The denomination in the last 75 years has split three times, and is currently a fairly diverse association. The church I grew up in in Portland was probably one of the most progressive in the denomination- and continues to be. The church Rose grew up in in San Diego was defintely on the more conservative end.
You might recognize other more famous denominations of the "Anabaptist" tradition: Brethren, Nazarenes, Mennonites, etc..
Each with their differences, but with some key commonalities.
Anyway, for those of you who were at Aletheia when Steve Gregg was teaching, I thought I heard him say something about a film called "The Radicals"- about the plight of the early Anabaptists. I was coming back from the restroom, so I missed it. Did I hear him right? Anyway, I remember watching that video and liking it.
Incidentally, does anyone know why "Anabaptists" were called "Anabaptists"? It's kind of interesting.