The Pocket Anabaptist

In much of the teaching of the whole range of Anabaptists, from MCUSA to the conservative Anabaptists, one often hears or reads that Anabaptism is not open to expression as a systematic theology. It is about life rather than doctrine. However, these two things are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, real life needs a foundation in doctrine, in concepts, in verbal expression. A life well-lived will attract others to Jesus, but they will be full of questions to which we need to have answers. All through history this interaction between the life of believers and the questions that arise out of that life, both among fellow believers and unbelievers, has given rise to theology, to doctrine.

Mr. Cook has done a good job of identifying the subjects needing to be addressed and then going to the sources to clarify what Anabaptism is about. He recognizes that there are areas of ambiguity, but he also pinpoints the clear pillars of the Anabaptist movement.

Although he could express himself more forcefully in many places and organizes things in a way that perhaps misses some of the Anabaptist strengths, he has done a good job showing us how to begin looking at our faith in an organized, systematic way.