Though my family history with the Brethren goes back to the Ship Allen (the Klausers—now Clausers— crossing to America in 1729 with Alexander Mack, Sr.), my personal history goes back to 1989, when I became a member of the Fremont Church of the Brethren, and later, licensed to ministry at the Empire Church of the Brethren in 1991.
Since my affiliation with the Brethren, I’ve been a keen reader of Brethren history, theology, and Christian living. To continue the Brethren identity as “people of the Book,” I’m expanding the adage to “people of books,” a call to be leaders and readers.
My only criteria in choosing ten books are that the books should be by—or about—Brethren. This said, the task is daunting. The Brethren have many fine authors. The ten I choose are a combination of historical and contemporary, theological and literary. I purposely left off the Bible because it is “the Book” that inspired all the other books.
Here’s what made the top ten.
- The Complete Writings, Alexander, Mack, Sr. Where better to start than the man who influenced the movement, compassionately caring for the new congregation of men and women.
- The Religious Poetry of Alexander Mack, Jr., Alexander, Mack, Jr. From its inception, Brethren have been theopoets, people infusing the Christian faith with the arts. Alexander Mack’s son, Mack, Jr. (Sander) is one of the first recognized by the Brethren as a fine poet and pastor.
- The Origins Series, Durnbaugh, Donald. I know this is cheating of sorts, putting three books under one heading, but Durnbaugh’s origins books are a must read for any person interested in the Brethren: European Origins, Brethren in Colonial America, and The Believer’s Church provides the historic foundation for the Brethren movement.
- Settlement of the Brethren on the Pacific Slope: A Study in Colonization, Muir, Gladdys. Way ahead of her time in both subjects (Brethren in the west and colonization), Muir reminds us that the Brethren aren’t just eastern people, but western, and eventually, international.
- The Promise: Ethics in the Kingdom of God, Eller, Vernard. Choosing one Eller book is like deciding which precious stone to pull from a pile, but The Promise introduces readers to his keen wit and serious attention to living out a Biblical witness.
- Living in Christian Community, Gish, Arthur. I picked up this book from our small library in Fremont in 1989 (though it was published years before). It reminds me of the necessity of Christian community; after all, the church is a community of Christ-followers. A much-needed call for today.
- Upside Down Kingdom, Donald Kraybill. Like Eller, Kraybill has given the world a humble masterpiece; a reminder of faithful living.
- A Scripture of Leaves, William Stafford.Though Stafford began his rich publishing career with the Brethren in the 1947’s memoir Down in My Heart, his greatest gift to the Brethren is this marvelous work of poetry.
- The Christopher Sauers, Stephen L. Longennecker. Important to both American history and Brethren history, Longenecker’s biographer of Christopher Sauer, Sr. and Jr. is a rich survey of the influence Brethren had in Colonial America.
- Notes to the Church, Wendy McFadden. As Publisher of Messenger, McFadden’s “small essays” provide insight into the Brethren; her love of the “people of the Book” shines through on every page. Both poetic and poignant, it’s a fine introduction to various contemporary themes and concerns Brethren hold today.
Let me say it again: Choosing ten books is not easy. If you don’t believe me, try it yourself. I admit that I left off books by some of my Brethren heroes—Martin Grove Brumbaugh (History of the German Baptist Brethren), S. Z. Sharp (The Educational History of the Church of the Brethren), John Kline and Benjamin Funk (Life and Labors of Elder John Kline), D.L Miller (Some Who Led), and several by Otho Winger. But I had to begin somewhere. And since the Brethren movement spans over three hundred years, listing ten is a feat.
My hope is that you will put feet to your faith and pick up one to study and enjoy. Make this a year of reading.
Brian Nixon is a writer, artist, musician, educator, and minister in Albuquerque, N.M., and a former minister in the Church of the Brethren.