archives alcove by Terry Smith
When Anabaptists confiscated Menno Simons’ writings
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THE MESSENGER | May 2010
PHOTO: MENNONITE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
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n 1834 Peter von Riesen transissues underlying this dispute lated some writings of Menno still exist centuries later. Simons from Dutch into German First, in recent Roman and published them. German Catholic-Mennonite World Mennonite leaders in Prussia (now Conference discussions (1998Poland) confiscated them. 2003), leaders grappled with the The translator, who obeyed the Reformation’s polemical writings. confiscation order or be excommuWith all due respect to Menno, I nicated, struggled with “whether we have wondered how wise some of had done right by surrendering up his wordings were even in the 16th these books so obligingly.” century. Why were Menno Simons’ writings seized? Even when we disagree with Abraham Friesen, a KG (now EMC) minister in Russia Menno, we need to move beyond (now Ukraine), said most being embarrassed by him. German Mennonites in Prussia no longer practiced Simons’ teachings and “were afraid Second, if it is paradoxical and ashamed to have these writings that an Anabaptist minister come to light” (Delbert Plett). would be blindly for or against Whether or not Friesen’s view Menno without reading his was accurate, there was a fear that work, how many current EMC other Christians would read them ministers have Menno’s Complete and “thereby acquire a hatred of Writings, check for his opinion, and the Mennonites” (Peter Toews). A refer to it occasionally? (Menno Lutheran farmer in Prussia was “dis- himself was concerned that we test pleased” after reading how Menno his teaching by the Word of God and Simons defended himself in the 16th that our focus be on Jesus.) century to Reformed and Lutheran Third, years ago Peter Toews leaders. German Mennonite leadpointed out the irony that in 1835 ers were concerned others would Mennonite leaders in Prussia respond similarly, which could affect confiscated Menno’s writings and the church’s shaky legal standing in then in 1860 wanted to construct Prussia. both a monument and a college in During the 1834-1835 controversy, his honour (for all of this story, see one German Mennonite minister was Delbert Plett, Golden Years, 321-324). quoted as saying he was dissatisfied Jesus was critical both of those with Menno’s writings, had never who stone prophets and those who read them, and would avoid them in later put up monuments to the prophthe future. ets without changing their lifestyle Menno was silenced in some (Luke 11:47). Neither confiscation nor churches that identified themselves glorification honours Menno Simons. by his name. If this seems strange, Confiscation, however, at least cares
enough to respond to what Menno wrote; indifference does not. After the confiscation, Menno’s writings translated into German were allowed to be shipped to Russia; they were sought by KG (now EMC) members and brought by them to Canada. How many EMC homes today contain the writings of Menno Simons in English? Even when we disagree with Menno, we need to move beyond being embarrassed by him. This Dutch former priest, a steady leader during the Radical Reformation, deserves our respect. Finally, in various ways Menno’s writings can still get us into trouble today—if we dare be bold.
