Jun 25, 2019 mennonite history is a story of persecution and resettlement, rifts and rethinking. In the ongoing ecumenical dialogue between mennonites and catholics the anabaptist martyrs of the 1500s play a major role. Mar 02, 2015 four centuries of martyrs mirror to be auctioned lancaster rare book auction to feature dutch, german, english editions. Next to the bible and the anabaptist hymnbook, no book has been more influential in perpetuating and nurturing the faith of mennonites and amish. Both it, and a paperback condensed version, mirror of the martyrs, are available for sale. Dec 11, 20 in the ongoing ecumenical dialogue between mennonites and catholics the anabaptist martyrs of the 1500s play a major role. If youre involved in the study of anabaptist and mennonite history, theology, or identity, the anabaptist and mennonite studies collection will bring you a wealth of useful scholarly resources. Anabaptist and mennonite studies collection 16 vols. In 1660 a thirtyfiveyearold mennonite minister, thielemann van braght of. Association of mennonite brethren churches of ukraine, church of god in christ, mennonite ukraine, and evangelical mennonite churches of ukraine beachy amish church ukraine. Dec 01, 2002 this volume is a collection of prison writings by seven dutch mennonite martyrs executed between 1569 and 1592, first published in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, but until now almost entirely neglected even by specialists in the radical reformation. In the 17th century, various dutch mennonite leaders.
Mennonite library and archives martyrs mirror images. Martyrs mirror the classic 1660 dutch religious history, memorializes the godly lives and glorious deaths of thousands of early christians, especially european anabaptist martyrs between 1524 and 1660. Kirsten beachy is one mennonite of a younger generation who has read martyrs mirror. Mennonite poet and writer julia spicher kasdorf wonders why martyrs mirror, the big unreadable book, as she calls it, is making a comeback in her generation of young mennonites. What started as a tiny band of radicals in the wake of the protestant reformation has grown to over one million members today, scattered all over the globe. Since its publication more than three centuries ago, the martyrs mirror has been a steady source of inspiration and renewal among many anabaptist mennonite groups, especially those in the swiss and south german tradition. The complex legacy of the martyrs mirror among mennonites in. The book has a very diy feel to it, featuring a font that looks like a sanserif version of courier new. Narrative accounts also circulated, and these were collected and published in the 16th thand early 17 centuries. The most historically and culturally significant of these, the bloody theatermore commonly known as martyrs mirrorwas assembled by the dutch mennonite.
I can imagine them from afar like classical heroes. Hers is the second book ive read that deals with the stauffer churchs expansion to southern maryland. Historically for amish and mennonites, the martyrs mirror has been the most important book next to the bible. The book, whose featured martyrs are mostly dutch mennonites. Throughout church history, however, martyrs have included all those who have suffered for the faith, not just died for it. He traces the publication, use, and dissemination of this key martyrology across nearly four centuries and explains why it holds sacred status in contemporary amish and mennonite households. Mennonite poet and writer julia spicher kasdorf wonders why martyrs mirror, the big unreadable book, as she calls it, is making a comeback in her generation of young mennonites not only has the artwork of famous 16thcentury anabaptist martyr dirk willems rescuing his persecutor from the icy waters of a dutch pond gone viral on the internet, she noted that it was marketed by our own. It would seem the time for mennonite martyrs has come and gone.
Stories of anabaptist martyrs retold from martyrs mirror by neta jackson. Nov 28, 2017 a video project for anabaptist studies christian ethics class at rosthern junior college, november, 2017 tess johnson reed fitzgerald kaitlyn janzen music. Martyrs mirror holds a diverse legacy among presentday anabaptists. We specialize in books related to mennonite and lancaster county culture, history, religion and genealogy. When i was younger i had heard a story from the book martyrs mirror by thieleman van braght about a historical recorded event from october 15, 1606. Hans brael is one of the great anabaptist martyrs of the 16th century. When selling books in amish communities, im often asked if i carry the martyrs mirror. The book will be housed in cmus special collections rare book room and made accessible to students and faculty forthwith. In some conservative and old order households, it provides a beloved. Mennonite martyrs now provides english speaking people the opportunity to gain inspiration and make commitments because of the challenge that this modern martyrology brings. Mar 09, 2020 the cmu library is delighted to announce that it has recently acquired a 1685 edition of martyrs mirror. The cmu library is delighted to announce that it has recently acquired a 1685 edition of martyrs mirror. Me and the martyrs cmw journal center for mennonite. The book shines a mirror on ordinary people who experienced a spiritual reality that few today can even imagine.
The 1,100page martyrs mirror continues to undergird amish and mennonite values today. The mennonite encyclopedia has been out of print for years, but all the articles are available on the internet as the global anabaptist mennonite encyclopedia online gameo. Martyrs mirror has shaped the anabaptist tradition more powerfully than any book besides the bible. In an address to the 2008 bridgefolk conference at saint johns abbey in collegeville mn ivan kauffman related the catholic tradition of. My primary interest is not the history of the book or the ways mennonites have changed their views with regard to pacifism and engagement with the state. First published in holland in 1660, it documents the stories and testimonies of christian martyrs, especially anabaptist.
Interesting as fiction, because it is written with both passion and tenderness, it tells the dramatic story of some of the most thrilling periods in. The library has the 1660, 1685, 174849, and many other editions on display. They died as witnesses to christ, and like all the martyrs of the church, they belong to that cloud of witnesses hebrews 12. The book was highly influential in those countries and. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Baptist, brethren, mennonite, and other descendants of the anabaptist will be especially interested in these stories. The book shines a mirror on ordinary people who experienced a spiritual reality. The information contained in this guide comes primarily from gameo, and secondarily from martyrs mirror itself. It seems evident that mennonite church canada leadership is not issuing a call for martyrs, especially not martyrs for indigenous land claims, which ultimately could exacerbate the festering wounds of mennonite settler land issues too. I dont know whether any of the martyrs in the book are my ancestorswe moved and lost so much, left generations behind on the journey across the atlantic, lost too many stories in the translation from german to english. Formal protocols for handling the book will be posted at the library soon.
Martyrs mirror johns hopkins university press books. Jan luyken, the martyrs mirror, and the iconography of suffering. The martyrs mirror differs from foxes book of martyrs in that it only includes those martyrs which were considered nonresistant, while foxes book does not include many anabaptist martyrs. This compilation resulted in a twovolume set including biographical sketches, poems and narrative accounts. The most historically and culturally significant of these, the bloody theater more commonly known as martyrs mirrorwas assembled by the dutch mennonite. Jan gleysteen, the drama of the martyrs lancaster, pa. A prized possession, anabaptist immigrants to pennsylvania often brought along copies of the book on their ocean voyages to america. The actes and monuments, popularly known as foxes book of martyrs, is a work of protestant history and martyrology by protestant english historian john foxe, first published in 1563 by john day. Another nonmennonite martyr book deserving mention is the groot christenmartelaersboeck ghenoechsaem vervattende een kerckelycke. Large antique 1814 mennonite blutige schauplatz book. Dave jackson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Here are stories of men and women who died for their belief. Weaverzercher combines the fascinating history of martyrs mirror with a detailed analysis of anabaptist life, religion, and martyrdom. Large antique 1814 mennonite blutige schauplatz book martyrs. Martyrs mirrors lancaster mennonite historical society. Jul 16, 2018 the ample number of photos gives the russian mennonite story a coffeetablebook quality. Translated into german in 174849 at ephrata, pennsylvania, it contained a massive 1,512 pages. Since its publication more than three centuries ago, the martyrs mirror has been a steady source of inspiration and renewal among many anabaptistmennonite groups, especially those in the swiss and south german tradition. The forgotten writings of the mennonite martyrs by brad s. Jan luyken, the martyrs mirror, and the iconography of suffering sarah covington abstract. The mennonite brethren historical commission, in conjunction with kindred productions and the centers for mennonite brethren studies, has made this book available for free online through the open library.
Once home to tens of thousands of mennonites, the number of mennonites in ukraine in 2015 totaled just 499. A memoir of going home by rhoda janzen, a complicated kindness by miriam toews, irma voth. Written in 1659 by a dutch mennonite to strengthen the faith of his fellow believers and translated into german in 1748 through 1749 at the time of the french and indian war for the. It is an account of the numerous anabaptists, spiritual predecessors of the amish, who perished on account of their faith. Four centuries of martyrs mirror to be auctioned lancaster rare book auction to feature dutch, german, english editions. Martyrs mirror images mennonite library and archives. Foxes book of martyrs by john foxe introduction edited by william byron forbush this is a book that will never dieone of the great english classics. This is not about an identity of victimhood, krauss says. This is intended as a reference set of the jan luiken 16491712 etchings in the martyrs mirror. But if his analysis is correct then suicide bombers, or rather prospective martyrs, would do well to abandon their culture of death, and instead concentrate on getting laid 72 times in this world, unless of course they would really prefer chilled or white raisins. Maybe the only problem with the russian mennonite story is that it leaves a reader wanting more.
Next to the bible, the martyrs mirror has historically held the most significant and prominent place in amish and mennonite homes. Printed continually since then, it is still a beloved book among the amish and mennonites today. People who suffered for their faith 19201940 perspectives on mennonite life and thought by aron a. Though the book packs a great deal of information and insights into fewer than 100 pages, toews didnt produce a general survey of the mennonites in russia. The authors gigantic work, the record of christian faith and endurance from the first century to the anabaptist persecutions in the sixteenth century. Though based on earlier works, the present martyrs mirror was first published in 1660, a hundred years after the worst persecutions, by thieleman j. Weaverzercher wellconceived, wellwritten, and wellresearched, martyrs mirror is a terrific book and an absolute pleasure to read. While less common now than in the 20th century, in mennonite homes martyrs mirror is. Martyrs mirror contains their final testament to the world.
Martyrs mirror as totem canadian mennonite magazine. Containing writings from the most important contributors to anabaptist and mennonite thought, including john howard yoder, harold s. The martyrs mirror is still a beloved book among amish and mennonites. As luxenbergs work has only recently been published we must await its scholarly assessment before we can pass any judgements. Over the years ive always had a keen interest in family history which for me also includes mennonite history. Mennonite martyrs now provides englishspeaking people the opportunity to gain inspiration and make commitments because of the challenge that this modern martyrology brings. The distance between me and the martyrs is a comfortable one. The complex legacy of the martyrs mirror among mennonites. Thus, hans brael is a martyr, and he, in fact, suffered much more than even many of those whose martyrdom included giving their lives for jesus christ. A video project for anabaptist studies christian ethics class at rosthern junior college, november, 2017 tess johnson reed fitzgerald kaitlyn janzen music. This volume is a collection of prison writings by seven dutch mennonite martyrs executed between 1569 and 1592, first published in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, but until now almost entirely neglected even by specialists in the radical reformation.
To read this book online for free, please click here. People who suffered for their faith, 19201940 see other formats. Jan luykens illustrations in the martyrs mirror were a singular contribution to mennonite history and identity, but they also belonged to a larger context of early modern printed images that portrayed martyrdom in distinctly. The ample number of photos gives the russian mennonite story a coffeetablebook quality. The stories of faithfulness, suffering, and death demand a response from the reader.
In an address to the 2008 bridgefolk conference at saint johns abbey in collegeville mn ivan kauffman related the catholic tradition of saints to the mennonite tradition of martyrs. The full title of the book is the bloody theater or. It includes a polemical account of the sufferings of protestants under the catholic church, with particular emphasis on england and scotland. Each year the society sells tens of thousands of new and used books through its bookstore, book auctions, summertime bookworm frolic and bargain books.
Mennonite history is a story of persecution and resettlement, rifts and rethinking. By the 17th century, his native holland was one of the most prosperous nations on earth, and van. The complex legacy of the martyrs mirror among mennonites in north america john d. Second english edition, twentyfirst printing, 1999 printed in the united states of america. The anabaptist martyrs mirror in the past and for today. Stauffer, lives out in missouri, where much of the stauffer mennonite church has migrated over the decades. Meanwhile, this issue of the journal of the center for mennonite writing illustrates the continued inspiration and relevance that martyrs mirror has offered to mennonite readers, poets and critics. Another nonmennonite martyr book deserving mention is the groot christen martelaersboeck ghenoechsaem vervattende een kerckelycke. The mirror of the martyrs exhibit is based on the publication of the second edition of the martyrs mirror of 1685. Ive added this story as one of the first because i love it so much. They point us to christ, and if we ignore them, we obscure the witness of christ and weaken the gospel. The book includes accounts of the martyrdom of the apostles and the stories of martyrs from previous centuries with beliefs similar to the anabaptists.