‘The Search for Roots’, the first article in the first issue of Anabaptism Today, was written by
Alan Kreider. Alan’s influence on the Anabaptist Network cannot be overstated and it is
fitting, therefore, that this inaugural issue should be dedicated to his memory. The Articles
Section contains a number of papers presented at a gathering of the Anabaptist Theological
Forum last year in his honour and the Book Reviews Section contains a review of his final
book, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church. Alan was born on 8 November 1941 and died
on 8 May 2017. A brief summary of the Theological Forum devoted to exploring his legacy
can be found at https://www.mennonitemission.net/news/u-k-anabaptist-theology-forum-explores-legacy-of-mmn-worker-alan-kreider/.
Eleanor Kreider begins this issue with a reflection on what it was like to work so
closely with Alan. Their joint speaking style was, of course, legendary and they often finished
each other’s sentences. Eleanor speaks eloquently of the painstaking work of preparation that
enabled the actual speaking presentation to flow so easily. She shares insights into their
relationship and their commitment to a hermeneutical community rooted in the Anabaptist
tradition. She concludes by suggesting their style of public presentation as a potential tool for
training. We have included, at Eleanor’s request, a poem by Veronica Zundel written in
honour of them and reflecting on their speaking style.
Christopher Rowland’s article interacts both with The Patient Ferment and a critical
review of that book by Jennifer Otto in the Mennonite Quarterly Review. He concludes that
the issues of disagreement reflect the familiar hermeneutical one concerning the extent to
which early Christian thought is prescriptive for modern Christians. He draws attention to
Boff’s approach to hermeneutics in his Theology and Praxis advocating a creative fidelity
which involves a dialectical hermeneutic between authoritative text and present context. He
concludes with some moving final exchanges between himself and Alan in the final weeks of
Alan’s life.
Brian Haymes describes Alan’s close relationship with Catholic friends rooted in a
shared desire for peace-making. He recounts two surprising incidents where Alan engages
approvingly with Catholic prayer for healing and with a Catholic account of an apparition of
the bridegroom coming in the form of a lamb. He concludes that Alan’s relationship with
Catholics was not one of turning enemies into friends but rather seeing ‘misrecognized friends
to whom Christ invites us to be reconciled’.
Lloyd Peterson‘s article begins with his only experience of footwashing which was in the company
of Alan and Eleanor and contains a brief exegesis of John 13:1–20 and reflections on the
contemporary significance of the ritual. He concludes that footwashing should be a learning and
transformative experience and one which subverts entrenched social hierarchies.
In the Reflections on Practice section, Stuart Murray Williams demonstrates how
several of the core values of Urban Expression are rooted in Anabaptist convictions and
Andrew Francis advocates an Anabaptist ‘Rule of Life’ rooted in concepts of mutuality,
discipleship and yieldedness.
A personal reflection by Andrew Francis of his journey with Anabaptist principles and their outworking in a community context.
Finally, we have reviews of Alan Kreider’s The Patient Ferment of the Early Church.
To read this edition of Anabaptism Today in full, please follow this link.
