John Ruth explores the historical backdrop of the land that many of the early Anabaptists settled in Pennsylvania. How did this affect the indigenous population that lived in this region? Were the Mennonites culpable in the appropriation of native lands? This Very Ground This is the 243rd episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and You…

Elizabeth Vendley was born into the Roman Catholic Church and embarked on a long journey of trying to find a church and community to integrate into. Ultimately, this led her and her family to join the Amish, and then through life circumstances a Mennonite church. Elizabeth shares her story, what she learned along the way, and lessons for those that…

Conversations about the environment, climate change, and “going green” quickly become mired in controversy and fierce debate. But what does God say? Are there principles from Scripture that can teach us how to be proper stewards of the world God has made, and how have Anabaptists in the past cared about the creation? More episodes with Matt Landis …

Some claim that there are variations in the manuscripts that our English Bibles are translated from, and therefore this proves the Bible is false. Others say that the King James Version is the only true Bible. How should we think about these issues? What is a proper understanding of textual variants, and is the KJV a good translation? David Bercot …

Ben Harris is a computer scientist researching LLM’s. He also cares about spiritual formation, thoughtful living, and education. Ben and Marlin discuss the formative role of studying in church and school and how to simultaneously protect education from technologies that replace study and teach students to use technologies that support active study.…

Ruth Anna Kuhns shares from her experience teaching neurodivergent students. How can we better understand and care for those that are different from standard ways of learning? How can parents, teachers, and schools make the educational experience better for all students? Episode with Kyle Stoltzfus on higher education This is the 238th episode of A…

We are all busy and seem to be getting busier all the time. Overload and burnout are natural consequences of our lack of rest; Merle Burkholder explains what we should do when pressure stops increasing performance and starts producing burnout. What are ways we can see the problem coming and avoid it altogether? Tyranny of the Urgent by Charles Humm…

Revelation is often used to explain present day politics. But is this the proper approach? What is God telling us through Revelation about the beast, earthly empires, and the antichrist? And how is this relevant for us today? Paul’s former episodes on Revelation: How to Read Revelation & Avoid the Mark of the Beast The Nation-State of Israel & the …

Ben Harris is a computer scientist and business professor researching LLM’s. Ben and Marlin discuss AI optimism (pessimism) with a focus on the nature of artificial so-called intelligence. Statement on AI risk CNN report on CEO survery Business, Math, and Righteous Living with Dr. Benjamin Harris – Episode 004 Into the AI Flood by Ben Harris This i…

Merle Burkholder has spent over four decades in ministry; he shares some of the stories from his life and ministry, along with the insights and lessons from them. This is the 234th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought. Sign-up for our month…

This is a sample chapter from David Bercot’s book “In God We Don’t Trust.” David examines the history of the American revolution and contrasts it with the behavior that trust in God should produce. Get the audio book on any major platform. Audible Apple Books Print the ebook directly from Scroll Publishing Previous episode with David Bercot on this…

Janelle Glick is interested in how churches that are trauma-informed can better extend the grace and light of Jesus for people joining us from any place in their lives, especially those who have experienced difficult circumstances. Janelle casts a vision for churches that are educated in understanding how past trauma can present itself in human int…

This is a sample episode from a lecture series we are releasing on its own channel. Click through to subscribe on your favorite platform or find us in podcast apps as “Developing as a Servant.” Website YouTube Telegram/CloudVeil These lectures were recorded at Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute in 2014 from two of Frank Reed’s classes. Two lectures w…

Did Paul teach the kingdom of God? Why do some perceive a tension between the teachings of Jesus and Paul on this topic? Marlin Sommers explains his personal journey with coming to an understanding of the kingdom, and how this theme runs through all of Scripture, not just in the Gospels. Episodes The Importance of the Kingdom of God - Episode with …

What does proper leadership look like? Merle Burkholder outlines principles for how we can lead in a Christlike way, and what serving leadership looks like. Essays for King Jesus This is the 229th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought. Sign-…

Over the last year, a number of changes have happened within Anabaptist Perspectives. Marlin and Reagan talk through the mission and vision for this podcast, and where we are going in the future. Why have we chosen to use digital media? Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter Join our Partners program Our Phone Number: [737 773 2848] (PERSPECTIV)…

Initially, the early Christians refused to fight. Over time, they adopted a Just War stance, and in time used this to justify the forcible conversion of conquered peoples. With the Crusades, Just War was expanded to include what was called “Holy War,” and Christendom went to war in the Middle East with the Islamic empires. Stephen Russell outlines …

Janelle Glick suggests that, as we come to peace with our own lives and the God who is working in us, we are more at peace with others and God who is working in them, which makes unconditional love and peace in community possible. Janelle also offers that reading through the New Testament and watching closely for the presence of women brings pleasa…

For hundreds of years, there was a vibrant, growing church across the Middle East, spreading across places like Iraq and Syria, expanding as far as China, India, and beyond. These Christians have largely been lost to history; what happened to them? What events led to their disappearance, and what does that mean for us today? Lucas Hilty explains th…

High profile cases of those who have failed morally and ethically disappoint many of us. Merle Burkholder describes how he personally has experienced this disappointment. This episode explores what we should do with this disappointment, and how we can address the avalanche of moral failure as a church and as individuals. This is the 224th episode o…

How can we learn to read the Bible as a whole story, instead of as disjointed fragments? In this episode Paul Lamicela explains biblical theology, using the storyline of Scripture for better understanding the Bible, and what we can learn from the theme of exile in the Bible. Paul's episode on Galatians Paul’s website This is the 223rd episode of An…

We are once again in a presidential election year in America. This is bringing up all the many conversations the church has been having for hundreds of years around issues like political involvement, voting, and separation from the world. What are ways that we can positively contribute to society and properly influence culture? Merle Burkholder sha…

How are we to read the Old Testament when it describes things that are so evil compared to how we are called to live today? Stephen Russell outlines the concept of “uplift through covenant”, and explains how through the story of Scripture God is bringing his people forward to the coming of the Messiah and the practice of radical enemy love. Stephen…

We should not see salvation as a single event, John Coblentz says, but as God’s ongoing work. Focusing on a time when we “made a decision” or “went forward” in response to an invitation or “prayed the sinners prayer” can trouble believers who should have assurance and confidence while giving false assurance to those not walking with Jesus. John dis…

For hundreds of years, the Middle East was home to a thriving church network. Who were these people? What can we learn from them? Lucas Hilty explains a largely forgotten piece of the church’s history, and brings out lessons for us today. The Patient Ferment of the Early Church This is the 219th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, …