T&T Clark Handbook of Anabaptism - (T&t Clark Handbooks) by Brian C Brewer (Paperback)

About the Book

"T&T Clark Handbook of Anabaptism comprises four sections: 1) Origins, 2) Doctrine, 3) Influences on Anabaptism, and 4) Contemporary Anabaptism and Relationship to Others. The first section has a general chronological flow, with essays examining the development of the movement and its relevance in the world. The second section details various chapters on doctrines often associated with Anabaptism, distinguishing between various Anabaptist theologians and regions on each of these doctrines, demonstrating the diversity of thought amongst Anabaptists on ecclesiology, baptism, peace, and church discipline. The third section outlines some major theologians, who directly or typologically influenced various Anabaptists, such as Erasmus, Zwingli, Luther, Karlstadt and Mèuntzer. The final section develops the life and ministry of the denominational traditions which come directly from the Anabaptist movement (Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, and Brethren), perhaps some that come indirectly (e.g., Baptists), and the appropriation of Anabaptist traditions from new communities of evangelicals. The volume concludes with a chapter on how contemporary Anabaptists interact with the wider Church in all its variety. By utilizing the contributions of a variety of scholars - theologians, historians, and biblical scholars, this book serves to make this complex and sometimes disparate movement more easily accessible by outlining its early history, its basic shared theological convictions, and its ongoing challenges to and influence on contemporary Christianity. While some of the authorities within the volume will disagree even with one another regarding Anabaptist origins, emphases on doctrine, and influence in the contemporary world, such differences will represent the diversity that constitutes historic Anabaptism well"--

Book Synopsis

By utilizing the contributions of a variety of scholars - theologians, historians, and biblical scholars - this book makes the complex and sometimes disparate Anabaptist movement more easily accessible. It does this by outlining Anabaptism's early history during the Reformation of the sixteenth century, its varied and distinctive theological convictions, and its ongoing challenges to and influence on contemporary Christianity.

T&T Clark Handbook of Anabaptism comprises four sections: 1) Origins, 2) Doctrine, 3) Influences on Anabaptism, and 4) Contemporary Anabaptism and Relationship to Others. The volume concludes with a chapter on how contemporary Anabaptists interact with the wider Church in all its variety.

While some of the authorities within the volume will disagree even with one another regarding Anabaptist origins, emphases on doctrine, and influence in the contemporary world, such differences represent the diversity that constitutes the history of this movement.

Review Quotes

"Provides an excellent introduction to Anabaptist origins and thought, the influences on early Anabaptism and its place in the wider world of Christianity today." --Anabaptism Today

"This amazing collection of essays ... has particular value, bringing as it does a particularly Anabaptist multi-voiced approach to its own topic." --Babtist Quarterly

"This is a carefully researched and accessible account of a movement which is of great significance in the contemporary world. Brian Brewer has provided us not only with many historical insights into the Anabaptist story but also with a compelling analysis that reaches from the past to the present." --Ian Randall, Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide, UK

"This comprehensive volume provides researchers, teachers, undergraduates and anyone interested in Anabaptism with a wealth of thought provoking new insights to old issues as well as breaking new ground in Anabaptist studies. A must have for any one who takes Anabaptist studies seriously. Congratulations Brian Brewer and all the contributors." --Graeme Chatfield, Australian College of Theology, Australia

"This massive volume introduces the breadth of historic Anabaptism, displays the variety of its sometimes debated interpretations, and describes contemporary applications and manifestations. The references to German and Dutch sources are a bonus for English readers." --J. Denny Weaver, Bluffton University, USA

"The past century has seen a dramatic expansion in the historical and doctrinal understanding of sixteenth-century Anabaptism. The Handbook of Anabaptism covers these developments with a comprehensive and wide-ranging collection of the latest Anabaptist-related scholarship. The 35 contributors are for the most part recognized masters in Anabaptist and Reformation studies, aided by emerging young scholars. The Handbook examines historical influences, origins, doctrinal distinctives, and the Anabaptist legacy for the present day, providing a reliable and informative overview of the current state of Anabaptist-related scholarship-an essential resource even for those who consider themselves relatively well-informed." --C. Arnold Snyder, Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo, Canada

"Focusing on the sixteenth-century origins of Anabaptism, this important new handbook emphasizes the multiplicity of its beginnings, the thinkers who influenced it, the doctrines that characterized Anabaptism as a complex religious movement of the Reformation, and the lasting impact that it has had down to our own times." --Michael Baylor, Lehigh University, USA

About the Author

Brian C. Brewer is Professor of Christian Theology at Truett Seminary, Baylor University, USA.