Mennonites in Early Modern Poland and Prussia

CHAPTER 8. Conflicting Loyalties in a Progressive Society

N chapter 8 M Conflicting Loyalties in a Progressive Society M ennonites who came to Royal Prussia in the early sixteenth century brought with them distinctive beliefs about the relationship between church and state, beliefs that distinguished themfromthoseofmanyotherfaiths.Mennoniteviewsonpacifisminparticular elicited special concern. Although some of the early Anabaptists in Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Western Europe did not accept pacifism, the branch of Anabaptism associated with Menno Simons, including those adherents who moved to the Vistula Delta, largely shared the view that followers of Christ should not engage in war. Killing other persons, whether these were other believers, “heretics,” or “infidels” denounced in crusades, was regarded as a violation of Christ’s teachings. As Wilhelm Mannhardt noted, from their earliest settlement in Royal Prussia , Mennonites in that region affirmed their adherence to a peace position , which rejected war.1 Mennonite statements of faith usually strongly affirmedshowingloveinallsituations,eveninwar.Participationin armed conflict was seen as a repudiation of Christ’s teaching on how to respond to those who used violence. Some Christian humanists, such as Erasmus, also condemned war. In his Complaint of Peace, Erasmus denounced war and decried the selfish ambition and greed that led princes and other political leaders to go to war N conflicting loyalties in a progressive society M 159 with each other. In this treatise, he lamented that even bishops and the popehimselfresortedtoarmedstruggletoachieveterritorialandeconomic gain. As a consequence, Erasmus concluded, Europe engaged in civil wars, where brothers within the church fought each other. Surely there must be a better way to resolve disputes. Some Mennonite leaders used Erasmus as an example of a renowned and respected intellectual leader who opposed war. Menno made a number of positive references to him. Similarly, in 1693 Engel Arentson of Doregeest, minister of the Mennonites in Ryp, the Netherlands, wrote to a professor of the University of Leyden, explaining why Mennonites rejectedparticipationinwar .HeappealedtoScripture,tohistory,andalsoto Erasmus specifically, stating that this Christian humanist had condemned war in part because of the suffering inflicted on the innocent. Arentson noted Erasmus’s statement that especially the poor, women, and children suffered because of the evil actions of those in power.2 Others, such as Sebastian Franck, Jacob Hutter, the Polish Brethren, and a number of individuals within Catholic and Protestant churches, similarly denounced warfare as incompatible with the lives of the children of God and based their position on their understanding of the Scriptures.3 For Mennonites coming into the Vistula Delta from the Netherlands and elsewhere, the sayings and life of Christ as well as other passages of Scripture provided the basis for their insistence on nonviolence. This belief was reflected in numerous statements of faith as well as in some of the writings of early leaders. Menno Simons had repeatedly emphasized that followers of Christ should demonstrate love rather than going to war. A letter he wrote to “the children of God in the land of Prussia” in 1549 reflects this irenic position and encourages efforts to bring harmony and peace within the congregation.4 The document itself does not discuss war, since that was not a question within the congregation; however, in Menno ’s extensive writings he did vigorously champion a peace theology.5 Dutch and other Mennonites repeatedly affirmed such views.6 Mennonites who came to Royal Prussia repeatedly based their emphasis on peace on their understanding of Scripture. At the same time, they realized that their views were different from those of most of society and that they would have to find a way to relate to their communities. They realized that they were members of a society that seemed to view war as normal; it was part of establishing and defending the state or the interests 160 N mennonites in early modern poland and prussia M of the state, as defined by its rulers. Armies consisted largely of mercenaries hired for a specific time or task. Universal military service did not exist, but citizens of cities might be called on to defend themselves at any time. Willingness to engage in such military action was regarded as a duty to society. Many persons in early modern times were still bound to their villages and subordinate to the local lord or other holder of political authority . Participation in war depended on the status and role of the persons concerned. Mennonites who wished to become citizens of a town were faced with the demand that all citizens of...