Disposition of the Anabaptists

I wrote this as part of my history final this year. I was acting as a citizen of Augsburg Germany, during the Lutheran & writing on the moral, religious, and economic reasons for sparing Anabaptists.

Jonathan Irwin                                                                        Irwin 1 

Aaron Berkowitz

History 101-104

28 April 2025

Disposition Of the Anabaptists

     Fore their sins were first washed away with the sacrifice of our lord and then with their baptism as a babe. These Anabaptists are our brethren. It is not for us to judge their souls, but only to judge them for their trespass upon God’s Earth. Colossians 2:13-15 tells us “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”. Mark 16:15-16 teaches us “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”. Though misguided, they are our brethren in the lord and like a lost lamb, they deserve the chance to find their way back to the flock. Hebrews 10:30 teaches “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.” It is for God to judge their souls, not us.

     Now let us turn to the more practical. These Anabaptists, although apostates, are still our brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, and our mothers and daughters. They make up our Smiths and cobblers, and our leaders and serfs. Without them our economy would fail. They could be afforded the opportunity to repent and pay a penance, either through a fine or through a community service. A fine of five talers could be levied upon those whose household could manage such a burden. Community service could be offered as an alternative to those who could not afford to pay the fine.

     For those who refuse to repent and return to the flock, I say we strip them of their wealth and belongings and push them into the wilderness. Perhaps some time repenting will help them find their way back to the ultimate shepherd, Our Lord. I say we exile those unrepentant for a period of five years. Should they have found their way by then and repented, they shall pay a fine of twenty-five talers and be welcomed back. Should they remain unrepentant, only then shall they be banished for all time.

    I believe that only in the direst of circumstances should we go to the trouble, lengths, and expense to try, convict, and put to death one of these individuals or groups. If they should continue in their efforts, or to violate their exile, this should be the case. If they should be caught spreading their apostasy even after they have repented, only then should this be contemplated.

     Brothers and Sisters, forgiveness is a mandate of our Lord, costs little, and often brings great reward. Hatred and Vengeance requires time and money. It requires us to waste resources and labor. Why should we waste any more than necessary on these people to keep our peace? Let us find a path that follows the way of Our Lord while maintaining the order and tranquility on Earth as well.