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Book Review The Anabaptist Story
Book Review The Anabaptist Story
BOOK REVIEW
BY WILLIAM R. ESTEP
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
BY
JASON LOCKE
LEESBURG, IN
DECEMBER 2, 2010
Introduction
In the book, The Anabaptist Story, by William R Estep, the author takes the position that
indeed the movement of the Anabaptists was not just another part of the Reformation, but was a
movement that forever shaped evangelical Christianity. The author takes the stance that
Anabaptist of the 16th Century have been seen in the wrong light and that no other group has
been more unjustly judged (1). Estep was one of four of the foremost authorities on the
Anabaptist movement. He taught Church History for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
from 1954 until he retired in 1990. He still continued to teach for another four years following
his retirement.1 The position of this review is to show that Estep is correct in his position that the
Anabaptists have been unfairly judged as heretics and this is a book that every church historian
Summary
The first seven chapters of the book describe the history of how Anabaptists’ came into
existence. One of the greatest strengths of this book is that Estep goes into great detail explaining
the background of the Anabaptists, not only focusing upon the major people of the movement but
some of the lesser known ones like Wolfgang Ulimann and Hans Neidermaier (74). The book
depicts the founders of Anabaptism in great detail in chapter 1. Estep shows the influence that
Zwingli had on the early brethren (12) and how it was this influence that caused the separation of
Another huge emphasis that the author places in this book is what he refers to as the
hallmark of the Anabaptist faith: martyrdom (57). He uses chapters 2 and 3 to draw the
distinctions between Anabaptists and the other reformers. Estep shows that it was Zwingli’s
1
Obituary, “Baptist Standard,” Baptist Standard,
http://www.baptiststandard.com/2000/7_24/pages/estep.html (accessed December 2, 2010).
1
hesitation in Zurich concerning the Mass that caused these early Swiss Brethren to depart from
Zwingli (31).
In chapters 8-11, the author deals with specific doctrine of the Anabaptists. He deals with
the issue of why the Anabaptists were considered heretics (178). Estep deals with the issues of
Solo Scriptura and Justification by Faith showing that the Anabaptists have always believed in
these two points even to the point of standing against infant baptism (197). He shows that the
Anabaptists were simply dealing with the inconsistency they perceived between Luther’s stance
upon faith alone and his support of infant baptism. The Anabaptists were simply taking the
teachings of Luther to the next level. They truly saw a problem with the church and state
relationship. Each time they were in conflict they chose the church over the state. Estep shows
the connection that Anabaptist’s saw between baptism and discipleship. Estep does this by
detailing the writings and debates of Balthasar Hubmaier (207). Estep concludes the book by
showing the influence that the Anabaptist’s had upon the early Baptists.
Critique
One of the strongest features of this book is the detail that Estep goes into and the amount
of footnoting that he includes. He not only details the events but allows the reader to do further
study on the issue by comprehensive footnotes. An example of this can be seen in the discussion
on the founder of Anabaptists (38). Another example of this can be seen in his dealings with the
Schleitheim Confession (66). Throughout the book Estep gives detailed accounts in the text and
footnotes. One issue that I have with this book was found in the last chapter where the author
seems to place Anabaptism and the Anabaptists upon a pedestal in the statement “Rather it is the
prized possession of every free society of the twentieth century world” (305). This statement is
2
certainly open to debate among scholars and laymen alike.2 This reviewer would say that the
Anabaptist’ have had profound impact upon the twentieth century, but every free society does
not owe the Anabaptists for that freedom. There are other factors that have had their impact upon
freedom and again this reviewer would see the Anabaptists as an example of the cost of freedom
of religion but simply not the sole cause. Another issue that this reviewer and others have seen as
a problem is that Estep fails to deal with the radical movement of Anabaptists.3 It would have
added to the book had Estep dealt with some of the more radical factions, but this reviewer
would say that Estep lost perspective because he did not include it.4
Conclusion
This book by Estep is a well thought through and one that indeed has many references
and explanations behind the Anabaptists. As was pointed out in the summary, the detail alone
that the author uses to explain the movement coupled with the extensive footnotes and
bibliography make this book a great resource. It is the reviewer’s opinion that this book would
2
Walter Klassen, “The Anabaptist Story,” Mennonite Quarterly 42, no. 2 (1968): 156-57.
3
Everett Ferguson, “The Anabaptist Story,” Restoration Quarterly 21, no. 2 (1978): 123-24.
4
Ibid., 124
3
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ferguson, Everett. “The Anabaptist Story.” Restoration Quarterly 21, no. 2 (1978): 123-24.
Klassen, Walter. “The Anabaptist Story.” Mennonite Quarterly 42, no. 2 (1968): 156-57.