Texts

Harold S. Bender, The Anabaptist Vision (1943)

In December 1943, Mennonite historian and theologian Harold S. Bender delivered a presidential address to the American Society of Church History entitled "The Anabaptist Vision." This address is a classic statement of key Anabaptist-Mennonite convictions.

The Ausbund (1564)

For more than 400 years various groups in the Anabaptist tradition have sung from The Ausbund, making it the oldest hymnal in continual use. Today, the Amish still sing from this collection of 16th century martyr ballads and songs of faith. At this link you will find the complete text images of the oldest edition of The Ausbund (1564). The only known copy of this book is located at MHL.

Walter Klaassen, Anabaptism in Outline (Herald Press, 1981)

A superb collection of 16th century primary sources by key Anabaptist leaders, excerpted and arranged by topic. Here you will find, for example, statements on such topics as: the Bible, baptism, government, non-resistance, economics and eschatology (and many others). Reprinted here with special permission from the Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, PA 15683.

John D. Roth, trans. Letters of the Amish Division: A Sourcebook (Mennonite Historical Society, 1993, 2002)

A translated collection of 19 primary sources which tell the story of the emergence of the Amish church in Switzerland and south Germany at the end of the 17th century. An introductory essay sets the context for these sources.

John D. Roth, ed. Refocusing a Vision: Shaping Anabaptist Character in the 21st Century (Mennonite Historical Society, 1995)

In the fifty years since Harold Bender delivered his presidential address to the American Society of Church History, The Anabaptist Vision has become a focal point for renewal and identity within the Mennonite church. In this collection of essays, six young Mennonite leaders offer their insights on the continued relevance of The Anabaptist Vision for the church in the 21st century.

Mennonite Confessions of Faith

Bibliographies

Mennonite Life Bibliography (an annual listing of recent publications on Anabaptist, Mennonite, Amish and Hutterite topics from the collections of several North American Mennonite historical libraries)

Anabaptist Primary Sources Available in Translation (English and Spanish)

Mennonite and Amish Folklore Folk Art (Bibliography by Ervin Beck)

Mennonite/s Writing in the U.S. (Bibliography by Ervin Beck)

Mennonite/s Writing in Canada (Bibliography by Ervin Beck)

Conscientious Objectors & the Draft: A Small Bibliography of Materials Available in the Mennonite Historical Library