Mennonites have defined themselves consistently by recounting their particular history. Beliefs, action, and change are tested against tradition to determine legitimacy. In this century appeal has particularly been made to 16th-century Anabaptism as the historical norm to judge the Mennonitism that followed. Interestingly, despite their theoretical stance of sola scriptura, Mennonites have in fact retained tradition as authoritative. The Christian community over time read the Bible, interpreted and applied it, and accordingly created a normative tradition of interpretation.
Tradition thus joins Scripture as authoritative.
This is the test of legitimate authority for Mennonites. Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 45-47. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website. Written 1989 by RJS Page created 1998 by SJS 1996-2001 by the Mennonite Historical Society of Canada.