Confessions, Doctrinal - Revision history

SamSteiner: Text replacement - "[[CMC (Conservative Mennonite Conference doing business as CMC)" to "[[Rosedale Network of Churches"

2023-03-17T14:27:21Z

Text replacement - "[[CMC (Conservative Mennonite Conference doing business as CMC)" to "[[Rosedale Network of Churches"

SamSteiner: Text replacement - "Conservative Mennonite Conference" to "Conservative Mennonite Conference"

2022-02-22T11:48:30Z

Text replacement - "Conservative Mennonite Conference" to "Conservative Mennonite Conference"

SamSteiner: Text replacement - "Conservative Mennonite Conference" to "Conservative Mennonite Conference"

2022-02-21T12:59:31Z

Text replacement - "Conservative Mennonite Conference" to "Conservative Mennonite Conference"

SamSteiner at 14:00, 31 December 2018

2018-12-31T14:00:05Z

RichardThiessen: Text replace - "Mennonitisches Lexikon" to "''Mennonitisches Lexikon''"

2017-01-16T07:27:12Z

Text replace - "Mennonitisches Lexikon" to "''Mennonitisches Lexikon''"

RichardThiessen: Text replace - "Mennonite Quarterly Review" to "''Mennonite Quarterly Review''"

2017-01-15T23:04:54Z

Text replace - "Mennonite Quarterly Review" to "''Mennonite Quarterly Review''"

RichardThiessen: Text replace - " " to " "

2014-04-12T02:59:55Z

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2013-11-17T12:48:01Z

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RichardThiessen: /* 1990 Article */

2013-10-30T23:26:11Z

1990 Article

RichardThiessen: /* 1955 Article */ Clarified the dates of printing for the Glaubensbekenntnis der vereinigten christlichen taufgesinnten Mennoniten Brüdergemeinde von Nord Amerika; added reference to the Glaubensbekenntnis der Konferenz der Mennoniten-Brüdergemeinde.

2013-10-30T23:24:23Z

1955 Article: Clarified the dates of printing for the Glaubensbekenntnis der vereinigten christlichen taufgesinnten Mennoniten Brüdergemeinde von Nord Amerika; added reference to the Glaubensbekenntnis der Konferenz der Mennoniten-Brüdergemeinde.

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 The Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Kleine Gemeinde) revised their confession in 1954 as the <em>Historic Articles of Faith of the Evangelical Mennonite Church</em>, and wrote a brief [http://www.emconf.ca/index.htm <em>Statement of Faith</em>] in 1973; revised in 1994. The <em>Glaubensbekenntnis der Mennoniten in Reinland Manitoba, Nord Amerika</em> was published in 1881 and reprinted in 1913. This confession contributed significantly to the identity of various Mennonite groups, including the ones associated with the [[Old Colony Mennonites|Old Colony Mennonites]] in Manitoba.
-The <em>Confession of Faith of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite</em> was adopted by that group in 1896 and reprinted in 1952. The revised and expanded <em>Articles of Faith</em> were adopted in 1961. In 1917 the Evangelical Mennonite Church (Egly Amish) wrote their <em>Articles of Faith</em>, which were reprinted in 1936. They were revised in 1949 and reprinted with minor revisions in 1961 and 1980. In 1923 the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference adopted and printed the <em>Articles of Faith</em> which were reprinted in 1950. The Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church adopted and printed their <em>Articles of Faith</em> in 1929 and reprinted them in 1940. The Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference published <em>A Confession of Faith</em> in 1973. The [[CMC (Conservative Mennonite Conference doing business as CMC)|Conservative Mennonite Conference]] approved a [http://cmcrosedale.org/about/theology.shtml <em>Statement of Theology</em>] in 1991; it also subscribes to the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith.
+The <em>Confession of Faith of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite</em> was adopted by that group in 1896 and reprinted in 1952. The revised and expanded <em>Articles of Faith</em> were adopted in 1961. In 1917 the Evangelical Mennonite Church (Egly Amish) wrote their <em>Articles of Faith</em>, which were reprinted in 1936. They were revised in 1949 and reprinted with minor revisions in 1961 and 1980. In 1923 the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference adopted and printed the <em>Articles of Faith</em> which were reprinted in 1950. The Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church adopted and printed their <em>Articles of Faith</em> in 1929 and reprinted them in 1940. The Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference published <em>A Confession of Faith</em> in 1973. The [[Rosedale Network of Churches|Conservative Mennonite Conference]] approved a [http://cmcrosedale.org/about/theology.shtml <em>Statement of Theology</em>] in 1991; it also subscribes to the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith.
 Most of the Mennonite confessions reflect a strong sense of continuity with traditional Anabaptist-Mennonite theological convictions. They frequently quote Matthew's gospel and emphasize corporate church life. Mennonite confessions generally reflect the following theological framework: God, Word of God, Jesus Christ ([[Christology|Christology]]), [[Holy Spirit|Holy Spirit]], [[Anthropology |human nature]], [[Free Will|free will]], [[Conversion|conversion]], church and its mission, church offices, [[Baptism|baptism]], [[Communion|communion]], [[Feetwashing|feetwashing]], [[Marriage|marriage]], [[Discipline, Church|church discipline]], Christian life and [[Nonconformity|nonconformity]], integrity and [[Oath|oaths]], [[Nonresistance|nonresistance]] and revenge, Christian and the state ([[Church-State Relations|church-state relations]]), Lord's day and work, last things ([[Apocalypticism|eschatology]]). In addition to their distinctive churchly center, Mennonite confessions consistently revolve around the themes of eschatology, Christology, theology. In the absence of a systematic theological tradition these confessions have often served an important role in preserving theological unity and identity in the Mennonite communities. They have also been used to reinforce schisms. -- ''Howard John Loewen''

@@ Line 141: / Line 141: @@
 The Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Kleine Gemeinde) revised their confession in 1954 as the <em>Historic Articles of Faith of the Evangelical Mennonite Church</em>, and wrote a brief [http://www.emconf.ca/index.htm <em>Statement of Faith</em>] in 1973; revised in 1994. The <em>Glaubensbekenntnis der Mennoniten in Reinland Manitoba, Nord Amerika</em> was published in 1881 and reprinted in 1913. This confession contributed significantly to the identity of various Mennonite groups, including the ones associated with the [[Old Colony Mennonites|Old Colony Mennonites]] in Manitoba.
-The <em>Confession of Faith of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite</em> was adopted by that group in 1896 and reprinted in 1952. The revised and expanded <em>Articles of Faith</em> were adopted in 1961. In 1917 the Evangelical Mennonite Church (Egly Amish) wrote their <em>Articles of Faith</em>, which were reprinted in 1936. They were revised in 1949 and reprinted with minor revisions in 1961 and 1980. In 1923 the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference adopted and printed the <em>Articles of Faith</em> which were reprinted in 1950. The Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church adopted and printed their <em>Articles of Faith</em> in 1929 and reprinted them in 1940. The Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference published <em>A Confession of Faith</em> in 1973. The [[Conservative Mennonite Conference]] approved a [http://cmcrosedale.org/about/theology.shtml <em>Statement of Theology</em>] in 1991; it also subscribes to the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith.
+The <em>Confession of Faith of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite</em> was adopted by that group in 1896 and reprinted in 1952. The revised and expanded <em>Articles of Faith</em> were adopted in 1961. In 1917 the Evangelical Mennonite Church (Egly Amish) wrote their <em>Articles of Faith</em>, which were reprinted in 1936. They were revised in 1949 and reprinted with minor revisions in 1961 and 1980. In 1923 the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference adopted and printed the <em>Articles of Faith</em> which were reprinted in 1950. The Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church adopted and printed their <em>Articles of Faith</em> in 1929 and reprinted them in 1940. The Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference published <em>A Confession of Faith</em> in 1973. The [[CMC (Conservative Mennonite Conference doing business as CMC)|Conservative Mennonite Conference]] approved a [http://cmcrosedale.org/about/theology.shtml <em>Statement of Theology</em>] in 1991; it also subscribes to the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith.
 Most of the Mennonite confessions reflect a strong sense of continuity with traditional Anabaptist-Mennonite theological convictions. They frequently quote Matthew's gospel and emphasize corporate church life. Mennonite confessions generally reflect the following theological framework: God, Word of God, Jesus Christ ([[Christology|Christology]]), [[Holy Spirit|Holy Spirit]], [[Anthropology |human nature]], [[Free Will|free will]], [[Conversion|conversion]], church and its mission, church offices, [[Baptism|baptism]], [[Communion|communion]], [[Feetwashing|feetwashing]], [[Marriage|marriage]], [[Discipline, Church|church discipline]], Christian life and [[Nonconformity|nonconformity]], integrity and [[Oath|oaths]], [[Nonresistance|nonresistance]] and revenge, Christian and the state ([[Church-State Relations|church-state relations]]), Lord's day and work, last things ([[Apocalypticism|eschatology]]). In addition to their distinctive churchly center, Mennonite confessions consistently revolve around the themes of eschatology, Christology, theology. In the absence of a systematic theological tradition these confessions have often served an important role in preserving theological unity and identity in the Mennonite communities. They have also been used to reinforce schisms. -- ''Howard John Loewen''

@@ Line 141: / Line 141: @@
 The Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Kleine Gemeinde) revised their confession in 1954 as the <em>Historic Articles of Faith of the Evangelical Mennonite Church</em>, and wrote a brief [http://www.emconf.ca/index.htm <em>Statement of Faith</em>] in 1973; revised in 1994. The <em>Glaubensbekenntnis der Mennoniten in Reinland Manitoba, Nord Amerika</em> was published in 1881 and reprinted in 1913. This confession contributed significantly to the identity of various Mennonite groups, including the ones associated with the [[Old Colony Mennonites|Old Colony Mennonites]] in Manitoba.
-The <em>Confession of Faith of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite</em> was adopted by that group in 1896 and reprinted in 1952. The revised and expanded <em>Articles of Faith</em> were adopted in 1961. In 1917 the Evangelical Mennonite Church (Egly Amish) wrote their <em>Articles of Faith</em>, which were reprinted in 1936. They were revised in 1949 and reprinted with minor revisions in 1961 and 1980. In 1923 the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference adopted and printed the <em>Articles of Faith</em> which were reprinted in 1950. The Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church adopted and printed their <em>Articles of Faith</em> in 1929 and reprinted them in 1940. The Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference published <em>A Confession of Faith</em> in 1973. The [[Conservative Mennonite Conference|Conservative Mennonite Conference]] approved a [http://cmcrosedale.org/about/theology.shtml <em>Statement of Theology</em>] in 1991; it also subscribes to the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith.
+The <em>Confession of Faith of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite</em> was adopted by that group in 1896 and reprinted in 1952. The revised and expanded <em>Articles of Faith</em> were adopted in 1961. In 1917 the Evangelical Mennonite Church (Egly Amish) wrote their <em>Articles of Faith</em>, which were reprinted in 1936. They were revised in 1949 and reprinted with minor revisions in 1961 and 1980. In 1923 the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference adopted and printed the <em>Articles of Faith</em> which were reprinted in 1950. The Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church adopted and printed their <em>Articles of Faith</em> in 1929 and reprinted them in 1940. The Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference published <em>A Confession of Faith</em> in 1973. The [[Conservative Mennonite Conference]] approved a [http://cmcrosedale.org/about/theology.shtml <em>Statement of Theology</em>] in 1991; it also subscribes to the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith.
 Most of the Mennonite confessions reflect a strong sense of continuity with traditional Anabaptist-Mennonite theological convictions. They frequently quote Matthew's gospel and emphasize corporate church life. Mennonite confessions generally reflect the following theological framework: God, Word of God, Jesus Christ ([[Christology|Christology]]), [[Holy Spirit|Holy Spirit]], [[Anthropology |human nature]], [[Free Will|free will]], [[Conversion|conversion]], church and its mission, church offices, [[Baptism|baptism]], [[Communion|communion]], [[Feetwashing|feetwashing]], [[Marriage|marriage]], [[Discipline, Church|church discipline]], Christian life and [[Nonconformity|nonconformity]], integrity and [[Oath|oaths]], [[Nonresistance|nonresistance]] and revenge, Christian and the state ([[Church-State Relations|church-state relations]]), Lord's day and work, last things ([[Apocalypticism|eschatology]]). In addition to their distinctive churchly center, Mennonite confessions consistently revolve around the themes of eschatology, Christology, theology. In the absence of a systematic theological tradition these confessions have often served an important role in preserving theological unity and identity in the Mennonite communities. They have also been used to reinforce schisms. -- ''Howard John Loewen''

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:00, 31 December 2018
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	[http://www.emmc.ca/provisioner/articles/article.php Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference] (1999)		[http://www.emmc.ca/provisioner/articles/article.php Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference] (1999)
	{{GAMEO_footer-4\|hp=Vol. 1, pp. 679-686; vol. 5, pp. 184-185\|date=1989\|a1_last=Neff\|a1_first=Christian\|a2_last=Wenger\|a2_first=John C.\|a3_last=Bender\|a3_first=Harold S.\|a4_last=Loewen\|a4_first=Howard John}}		{{GAMEO_footer-4\|hp=Vol. 1, pp. 679-686; vol. 5, pp. 184-185\|date=1989\|a1_last=Neff\|a1_first=Christian\|a2_last=Wenger\|a2_first=John C.\|a3_last=Bender\|a3_first=Harold S.\|a4_last=Loewen\|a4_first=Howard John}}
		+	[[Category:Theology]]

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 <em>Mennonitische Blätter.</em> 1856, 1857, 1885, 1886.
-<em>Mennonitisches Lexikon</em>, II, 119.
+''Mennonitisches Lexikon'', II, 119.
 Muller, Ernst.  <em>Geschichte der Berner Täufer.</em> Frauenfeld, 1895.

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 The seven articles of [[Kautz, Jakob (1500-1532?)|Jakob Kautz]], which he fastened on the door of the Predigerkirche at Worms, 9 June 1527 (Chr. Hege, <em>Die Täufer in der Kurpfalz</em>, 34-37), are merely a personal confession and have no further significance. The eight <em>[[Nikolsburg, Articles of|Nikolsburg Articles]]</em>, which were printed in various versions in 1527 and 1528 and also as <em>Artikel der Augsburger neuen Christen</em>, and were often attributed to the Anabaptists, have now been proved by Wilhelm Wiswedel to be a forgery prepared by their enemies and falsely attributed to them.
-Many confessions of individual (sometimes of groups) Anabaptists are found in the records of their trials; they afford a very important insight into the faith of the Anabaptists. The confession of the Anabaptists imprisoned at [[Marburg (Hessen, Germany)|Marburg]], of Dec. 10, 1538, by Peter Tesch, <em>Glaubensbekenntnis der in Marburg gefangenen Wiedertäufer</em> (printed in <em>Urkundliche Quellen zur hessischen Ref.-Gesch</em>., IV. Band, <em>Wiedertäuferakten 1527-1626</em>, Marburg, 1951, 247-56), is worthy of note, because it throws light on the peculiar religious position of the Hessian Anabaptists. More important is <em>Das Bekenntnis der Schweizer Brüder in Hessen</em> (ibid., 404-40) of 1578, published (in German) in the <em>Mennonite Quarterly Review</em>, 23 (1949) 22-34 under the title <em>Confession of the Swiss Brethren in Hesse</em>.
+Many confessions of individual (sometimes of groups) Anabaptists are found in the records of their trials; they afford a very important insight into the faith of the Anabaptists. The confession of the Anabaptists imprisoned at [[Marburg (Hessen, Germany)|Marburg]], of Dec. 10, 1538, by Peter Tesch, <em>Glaubensbekenntnis der in Marburg gefangenen Wiedertäufer</em> (printed in <em>Urkundliche Quellen zur hessischen Ref.-Gesch</em>., IV. Band, <em>Wiedertäuferakten 1527-1626</em>, Marburg, 1951, 247-56), is worthy of note, because it throws light on the peculiar religious position of the Hessian Anabaptists. More important is <em>Das Bekenntnis der Schweizer Brüder in Hessen</em> (ibid., 404-40) of 1578, published (in German) in the ''Mennonite Quarterly Review'', 23 (1949) 22-34 under the title <em>Confession of the Swiss Brethren in Hesse</em>.
 [[Imbroich, Thomas von (1533-1558)|Thomas von Imbroich's]] (d. 1558 at Cologne) <em>Confessio, Ein schöne bekanntnus eines frommen und Gottliebenden Christen</em> of 88 pages (first ed. ca. 1560, later published 1702, 1742, and 1745 in <em>Güldene Aepfel in silbern Schalen</em>, Dutch ed. 1579, reprinted in the<em>[[Martyrs' Mirror| Martyrs' Mir]]</em>[[Martyrs' Mirror|<em>ror</em>]] in 1660 and following editions), though a very influential book is not actually a full-fledged confession of faith, nor cast in the form of a confession, but a theological treatise mostly on [[Baptism|baptism]].
-[[Marpeck, Pilgram (d. 1556)|Pilgram Marpeck]]'s <em>Rechenschaft meines Glaubens</em>, submitted to the [[Strasbourg (Alsace, France)|Strasbourg]] Council in 1532, first published in <em>Mennonite Quarterly Review</em> 12 (1938) 167-202, though more comprehensive, is likewise not a true confession but a defense of his faith.
+[[Marpeck, Pilgram (d. 1556)|Pilgram Marpeck]]'s <em>Rechenschaft meines Glaubens</em>, submitted to the [[Strasbourg (Alsace, France)|Strasbourg]] Council in 1532, first published in ''Mennonite Quarterly Review'' 12 (1938) 167-202, though more comprehensive, is likewise not a true confession but a defense of his faith.
 The religious [[Disputations|disputations]], such as were held at Zofingen in 1532, at Bern in 1538, at Frankenthal in 1571, at Emden in 1578, and [[Leeuwarden (Friesland, Netherlands)|Leeuwarden]] in 1596, the records of which were published in book form (except Bern, 1538), offer valuable testimony on the confessional position of the Anabaptists, but the records are not in themselves formulated confessions.
-The <em>Abred</em> (Agreement) of the South German and Swiss preachers and elders at the various conferences, as at Strasbourg in 1568 Muller, <em>Berner Täufer</em>, 50, and printed in <em>Mennonite Quarterly Review</em> 1, 1927, 57-68), the [[Amish Mennonites|Amish]] discipline of 1779 (<em>Mennonite Quarterly Review</em> 11, 1937), and the resolutions of the other Anabaptist and later Amish assemblies in Strasbourg and elsewhere from 1555 on (including the discussions of the Incarnation and other doctrines) down until the lbersheim ([[Germany|Germany]]) conferences of 1803 and 1805, throw much light on the doctrines of the Mennonites and their ethical views; but these records are not true confessions of faith. For the most part these ministers' meetings deal with life rather than doctrine; the concern is with Christian conduct and church regulations, not dogmatics. The outcome is typically precepts, not creeds.
+The <em>Abred</em> (Agreement) of the South German and Swiss preachers and elders at the various conferences, as at Strasbourg in 1568 Muller, <em>Berner Täufer</em>, 50, and printed in ''Mennonite Quarterly Review'' 1, 1927, 57-68), the [[Amish Mennonites|Amish]] discipline of 1779 (''Mennonite Quarterly Review'' 11, 1937), and the resolutions of the other Anabaptist and later Amish assemblies in Strasbourg and elsewhere from 1555 on (including the discussions of the Incarnation and other doctrines) down until the lbersheim ([[Germany|Germany]]) conferences of 1803 and 1805, throw much light on the doctrines of the Mennonites and their ethical views; but these records are not true confessions of faith. For the most part these ministers' meetings deal with life rather than doctrine; the concern is with Christian conduct and church regulations, not dogmatics. The outcome is typically precepts, not creeds.
 The outstanding confession of the [[Hutterian Brethren (Hutterische Brüder)|Hutterian Brethren]] is [[Riedemann, Peter (1506-1556)|Peter Riedemann]]'s <em>Rechenschaft</em> (Accounting), written in prison in Hesse about 1545 and printed in 1565 under the title, <em>Rechenschaft unserer Religion, Leer und Glaubens, von den Brüdern, so man die Hutterischen nennt ausgangen</em>. It was reprinted in <em>Calvarys Antiquariatskatalog</em> (Berlin, 1870, 254-417), published in a new edition by the Hutterian Brethren in America in 1902 and by the Hutterian Brethren in England in a revised edition in 1938, and finally by the latter in an English translation in 1950 under the title <em>Account of Our Religion, Doctrine and Faith</em>. [[Felbinger, Klaus (d. 1560) |Klaus Felbinger's ]]<em>Rechenschaft</em> should not be overlooked in this connection (printed in L. Müller's <em>Glaubenszeugnisse Oberdeutscher Taufgesinnter</em> II, No. 9).

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:48, 17 November 2013
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	[http://www.emmc.ca/provisioner/articles/article.php Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference] (1999)		[http://www.emmc.ca/provisioner/articles/article.php Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference] (1999)
−	{{GAMEO_footer\|hp=Vol. 1, pp. 679-686; vol. 5, pp. 184-185\|date=1989\|a1_last=Neff\|a1_first=Christian, John C. ~~Wenger,~~ Harold S. ~~Bender~~\|~~a2_last~~=Loewen\|~~a2_first~~=Howard John}}	+	{{GAMEO_footer-4\|hp=Vol. 1, pp. 679-686; vol. 5, pp. 184-185\|date=1989\|a1_last=Neff\|a1_first=Christian\|a2_last=Wenger\|a2_first=John C.\|a3_last=Bender\|a3_first=Harold S.\|a4_last=Loewen\|a4_first=Howard John}}

@@ Line 135: / Line 135: @@
 The Mennonite Church and the [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] together approved a [http://www.anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php/Confession_of_Faith_in_a_Mennonite_Perspective_(Mennonite_Church_USA,_Mennonite_Church_Canada,_1995) <em>Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective</em>] in 1995. This major reformulation was made partially in anticipation of the integration of the two denominations.
-The Mennonite Brethren Church has produced two major confessions. Written originally within the context of southern Russia, the [http://www.anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php/Mennonite_Brethren_Church_Confession_of_Faith_(1902) <em>Mennonite Brethren Confession</em> of 1902] drew heavily from previous Mennonite confessions. it dealt with differences and agreements with the other Mennonites. The Mennonite Brethren break in 1860 from the Mennonite church ([[Kirchliche Mennoniten|Kirchen-Gemeinden]]) was the occasion for such an emphasis. This note of separation is distinctive among Mennonite confessions. The <em>[http://www.anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php/Mennonite_Brethren_Church_Confession_of_Faith_(1975) Mennonite Brethren Confession]</em> of 1975 was intended to stand in continuity not only with the 1902 Mennonite Brethren confession (which the text clearly reflects), but also with the larger Anabaptist-Mennonite heritage (which is made explicit in the preface and introduction). It therefore reflects a broader identity than the 1902 confession. A revision of the [http://www.mbconf.ca/believe/index.en.html Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith] was approved in 1999.
+The [[Mennonite Brethren Church]] has produced two major confessions. Written originally within the context of southern Russia, the [http://www.anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php/Mennonite_Brethren_Church_Confession_of_Faith_(1902) <em>Mennonite Brethren Confession</em> of 1902] drew heavily from previous Mennonite confessions. it dealt with differences and agreements with the other Mennonites. The Mennonite Brethren break in 1860 from the Mennonite church ([[Kirchliche Mennoniten|Kirchen-Gemeinden]]) was the occasion for such an emphasis. This note of separation is distinctive among Mennonite confessions. The <em>[http://www.anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index.php/Mennonite_Brethren_Church_Confession_of_Faith_(1975) Mennonite Brethren Confession]</em> of 1975 was intended to stand in continuity not only with the 1902 Mennonite Brethren confession (which the text clearly reflects), but also with the larger Anabaptist-Mennonite heritage (which is made explicit in the preface and introduction). It therefore reflects a broader identity than the 1902 confession. A revision of the [http://www.mbconf.ca/believe/index.en.html Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith] was approved in 1999.
 A considerable number of confessions have emerged from the smaller Mennonite and Mennonite-related traditions: The <em>Confession of Faith of the Brethren</em> (ca. 1780), known also as the <em>The Eighteenth-Century Confession</em>, is the earliest confessional statement of the Brethren in Christ, who also published a <em>Statement of Doctrine</em> in 1961. The [[Evangelical United Mennonites|Evangelical United Mennonites]], precursors of the Evangelical Missionary Church (known as the Mennonite Brethren in Christ, 1883-1947), published their <em>Doctrine of Faith and Church Discipline</em> in 1967. The Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada also approved a [http://www.emcc.ca/default.asp Articles of Faith ]in 1997.
@@ Line 144: / Line 144: @@
 Most of the Mennonite confessions reflect a strong sense of continuity with traditional Anabaptist-Mennonite theological convictions. They frequently quote Matthew's gospel and emphasize corporate church life. Mennonite confessions generally reflect the following theological framework: God, Word of God, Jesus Christ ([[Christology|Christology]]), [[Holy Spirit|Holy Spirit]], [[Anthropology |human nature]], [[Free Will|free will]], [[Conversion|conversion]], church and its mission, church offices, [[Baptism|baptism]], [[Communion|communion]], [[Feetwashing|feetwashing]], [[Marriage|marriage]], [[Discipline, Church|church discipline]], Christian life and [[Nonconformity|nonconformity]], integrity and [[Oath|oaths]], [[Nonresistance|nonresistance]] and revenge, Christian and the state ([[Church-State Relations|church-state relations]]), Lord's day and work, last things ([[Apocalypticism|eschatology]]). In addition to their distinctive churchly center, Mennonite confessions consistently revolve around the themes of eschatology, Christology, theology. In the absence of a systematic theological tradition these confessions have often served an important role in preserving theological unity and identity in the Mennonite communities. They have also been used to reinforce schisms. -- ''Howard John Loewen''
 = Bibliography =
 Blanke, Fritz. "Beobachtungen zum altesten Tauferbekenntnis." in <em>Archiv für Reformation Geschichte</em> 38 (1940): 242-49.