1. In 1648, Europe hailed the end of the terribly destructive Thirty Years War, which had taken the lives of more than half the inhabitants of some areas.
2. The enormity of destruction and pillage was staggering; farmland which had lain untilled in the midst of war threatened survivors with famine.
a. Within the dire conditions left by the conflict, princes hurried to find settlers to cultivate their war-ravaged acres; the situation was so desperate that many even considered taking on outcast Anabaptist tenants.
b. By 1653, persecuted Swiss Brethren began to move into the wasted lands, known as the palatinate
c. Eleven years later, one of Palatinate’s dukes issued a special offer of toleration to the Swiss Brethren (he called them “Mennists”, correctly associating them with their fellow Mennonites in the north).
The Mennonites would receive religious freedom for themselves, the duke promised, but they could not proselytize, meet in large groups, or construct church buildings.
d. Despite these restrictions and heavier taxes, some Mennonites saw the offer as better than the harassment and threat of deportation they faced in Switzerland.
Anabaptist Survival
1. Anabaptist survival into the mid-1600s had not been easy, and opposition had surfaced from many quarters.
2. Still these often scattered and marginalized members of society had sought to be a church composed of committed disciples of Christ who had experienced God’s salvation and were living witnesses to
were they could indulge in religious freedom, a heavy contrast to the strict religious persecution
did not stand with the church were not looked at as ethical people. In the sense that they could not
While the aftermath of World War II is often referred to as one of the primary creators of deep rooted turmoil in the Middle East region, the effects of the Cold War and the United States often over-zealous battle against communism is just as much a contributor if not more. The Arab world and the Middle East region were clearly going through quite an extraordinary period throughout World War II and its conclusion, primarily with the creation of most of the states we recognize today and struggling with the continuation of colonialism. These factors set the stage for the emergence of strong nationalist sentiments and Pan-Arab movements across the Middle East. Unfortunately, and much to the detriment of the region, the leaders of these young
The Thirty Years War was an incredibly important event that took place during the 17th century. It caused phenomenally high destruction rates throughout Europe, especially Germany. These battles that make up the Thirty Years Wars were extremely influential towards the European people and governments. The Thirty Years War seemed to have many political factors that fueled its beginning and continuation but the religious factors were more prominent and important to the progression and completion of the war.
The beginning of church is said to have risen from the resurrection of Jesus. In fact after the Pentecost, the disciples were celebrating the blessing given to Moses at Mount Sinai in which he experienced the presence of God. After this experience, the disciples were believed to be bold, understanding and Courageous. These characteristics till this day are still celebrated on Pentecost Sunday and are used for the sacrament of Confirmation, which is receiving the responsibility of a Christian and accepting the Holy Spirit. Church has been the backbone of people's faith. It has given them a comforting home to pray and be one with God. Today, however, more people are practicing faith outside the church. The majority of followers believe in God and life after death, however, many have lack of interest in the church. Church must be looked as a community of disciples. The book uses a suggestion from a Roman Catholic theologian Avery Dulles. He suggests, "that most appropriate image of the church for our times is the church as a community of disciples"(pp. 157). I totally agree with his suggestion. In order for Christians to find fulfillment in ones faith, one must help others understand their faith. We need to be grounded in grace; by being a Christian community your focus on believing is responding freely to a personal call and
to live and living,they did not like how the christian churches did not fully allow the right of the
In the late Middle Ages the worst evil known to man terrorized Europe. People were dropping dead everywhere and there was no place to put them. This vicious culprit was known as the Black Plague. During the 14th century in Europe millions of people died from the plague and the plague brought about great change. Before the plague there was peace and prosperity in the High Middle Ages and after the plague things were different. Historians consider the outbreak of the Black Plague a watershed moment because of great social, religious and economical changes.
The political/geographic situation in Europe at the beginning of World War I was full of conflict and strife with nations already seeped in rivalry and hatred, bidding for power with military might and seeking to obtain it no matter what the cost or how much human life it would take to attain. Alliances are formed in a amalgamation of shared hatred for equal enemies and desire for power , Europe is abound with chaos. European borders seem to be ever changing like that of a snaking river. Austria-Hungary is full of minorities each vying for its own independence and country. Germany and France have an undying enmity for one another. Russia also hated by the Germans is seeking to protect its interests in the Balkans,while creating alliances with France and England. The continent is as a sleeping volcano waiting to erupt in a violent cataclysm of war and destruction with its epicenter between Serbia and Austria-hungry, pulling each of its respected allies into the First world war. It seems every country has some disposition towards another country over disputes not its own but of its allies. The great powers of Europe came to War after The Archdukes assassination in response to each of its respected allies becoming engulfed in a conflict between the Serbian people and Austrian-hungry nation. With both sides drawings in their alliances made prior to the war initial beginning like a domino effect, reigniting flames on animosity. Germany declaring war on Russia soon after, siding
From 1933 to 1945, hiding Jews was a massive event in Germany. Many Germans risked
The wars of religion, which were disputes between Catholics and Protestants about the religion of a territory, took place in Germany, France, and England from 1500-1628. These arguments consisted of several disagreements between the leaders of a particular country and its people. In all three countries a law or settlement was passed that was intended to serve as beneficial to religious minorities, mostly of which were Protestant. However, after these laws were passed to help the Protestants there were residual issues. These issues were either due to the fact that the Catholics, or the majority, were upset because they lost too much religious power or that the Protestants, the minorities, were still unhappy about “sharing” religious territory with the Catholics.
Throughout the course of mankind, wars were raged on different continents. During this extended period of time, roughly four thousand years, there have been two wars labeled as “World Wars.” However, with research and expanded knowledge, there should at least be three “world wars,” and have the names altered to fit the criteria of such. This added war is known as: The Seven Years War. Despite misguiding evidence, and different historical accounts, the war can either be placed to have originated in 1754 or 1756, but an agreeable ending in the year 1763 can at least help identify this war efficiently. The Seven Years War, also known in the United States as the French and Indian War, should have been more prominently named the First World War because it was fought on a front of four different continents: North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The ability to have a war waged on more than three continents or four continents to be clear, despite not having a set definition, should able to be classified as being a World War.
Changes were happening all over Europe between World War I and World War II, and the book Europe in the Era of Two World Wars highlights a lot of them. Volker Berghahn, the author, discusses how violence escalated all across Europe during this time frame. The book digs into the desires and upsets of countries like Germany, Britain, France, and Russia, during war times more than others I have read do. Economies of each country and the escalading violence are the main focuses of the book. In the following review of Berghahn’s work, Europe in the Era of Two World Wars, I will highlight why the author is qualified to write the book, and survey the strengths and weakness of the information he provided.
order for the best land to be settled, Indians would have to be confronted, a farmer would have to
Jan T. Gross. Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2001.
Over the years, many models have been developed and implemented to endeavor to make disciples. Some of the models have been effective and others have not. Among some of the most biblical and efficient models are the ones that involve small groups. Within the small groups models, they can be broken down into further detail, such as pastoral involvement, the church’s goal, missions mindedness, etc. In this paper, I will explain my philosophy of small groups in a church and the importance of the relational group in authentic disciple making. I will also explain how missional groups can help the body of Christ move out into the community. Finally, I will summarize my status in regards to living in community with other believers and being missional with that community.