Anabaptism at 500 and Pietism at 350: Why does it matter?

By Karen Garrett

This year we are celebrating Anabaptism at 500 years, and Pietism at 350 years.

Are Brethren Anabaptist? Are Brethren Pietist? Are we both? Are these questions important for Brethren in 2025? Those are some questions Denise Kettering-Lane answered during an equipping session sponsored by Bethany Theological Seminary.

Kettering-Lane began with a reminder that the Anabaptist mindset, their questions and concerns, began before 1525. Martin Luther was not the only priest or monk who was concerned about 16th century Catholic teaching and practice. Zurich, Switzerland, was one epicenter of the discontent with leaders such as Zwingli, Grebel, and Manz. Zwingli wanted to work for reform through the Zurich City Council. However, Grebel and Manz were not patient enough to wait for the Zurich council to give permission these reforms, one being the forced infant baptism.

This led a group of concerned individuals to make the decision to participate in adult baptism, by pouring, which happened on Jan. 21, 1525. That first rebaptizing was the moment in time we celebrate this year as the birth of Anabaptism. However, it was/is a moment that did not fade out. We are here today because conversations with their Anabaptist neighbors informed the first Brethren nearly 200 years after 1525.

*Denise Kettering-Lane offers an equipping session on Anabaptism and Pietism, the theological movements out of which the Brethren movement was born. Photo by Keith Hollenberg*

What about Pietism at 350? That date of 1675 refers to the publishing of Pia Desideria by Philip Spener. Spener’s work pointed to concerns about the behaviors and responsibilities of rulers, laity, and clergy. The “cure” for clergy especially was to remember the importance of scripture! He called everyone to spend more time in scripture. However, not everyone owned a Bible, nor could everyone read.

One solution was public reading of long passages of scripture. The importance of the priesthood of all, everyone actually practicing being a Christian, was also a concern. That sounds Brethren. Spener also wrote about the need for better conduct in the midst of religious controversies. Perhaps we Brethren need to locate a copy of Pia Desideria to read!

Kettering-Lane closed by reminding her audience that both Anabaptism and Pietism were diverse from the start and continued to become more diverse. If you do not like everything about Anabaptism that is okay. If you do not adopt all that is Pietism, fine. However, please remember, it is good to know from where we come, whether we like it or not.

Anabaptism and Pietism are both part of our story. And we are part of their families.

— Karen Garrett serves with the Brethren Heritage Center in the Dayton area of Ohio and is a volunteer member of the Annual Conference Press Team.

———-

Find more Church of the Brethren news: