Marpeck: A Life of Dissent and Conformity

by Walter Klaassen

Pilgram Marpeck was a brilliant engineer and passionate theologian committed to justice and nonviolence. While thousands died during the tumultuous years of the Reformation, Marpeck consistently stood up to the ruling powers, calling for freedom of religion and separation of church and state. Walter Klaassen and William Klassen, editors of The Writings of Pilgram Marpeck, have deeply mined Marpeck' s writing and dialogue with other Reformation leaders placing his life, work, and theology in the context of his violent, changing times. This thorough biography shows that Marpeck, perhaps more than any other early Anabaptist figure, helped lay the theoretical and practical foundations of the believers church. Volume 44 in the Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History Series.

Genres: Theology, History

423 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2008

Reviews

[Sagely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I sat in an extension seminary course with Tom Finger, I've admired Pilgram Marpeck. Dr Finger talked Marpeck up as someone for Anabaptist canonization. Having read Klaassen & Klassen's biography, I have to agree. Marpeck is one of the great if forgotten Anabaptist saints.

Klaassen & Klassen's Marpeck does an extraordinary job of historical thick description while remaining readable (page-turning, even, at points). They trace the life tirelessly pursuing obedience and love, discipleship and unity.

Some might label Marpeck a moderate. This biography suggests a different picture: someone radically committed to enfleshed, embodied Christian orthodoxy. Marpeck pursued reconciliation and understanding with Magesterial Reformers, with Hutterites, with legalist Anabaptists, and quietist spiritualists. But peace was hard to come by. Far more often, Marpeck found himself in fierce and sustained controversy, contending for a faith both biblical and humane.

At the same time, Marpeck was negotiating with Protestant and Catholic city authorities. While he was chased from town from time to time, Marpeck succeeded in working for civic well being alongside those who, at least nominally, held the sword over his head. He oversaw civic works that brought fuel, clean water, power, and employment for hundreds--all the while keeping his head down before Catholic rulers and Protestant city councils.

I'm enamored with the spirit of Marpeck. I wish we my denomination had more "Marpeck-ite" congregations, churches the carry forward his gentle yet fierce spirit.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was good, but hard to read and I lost interest part of the way through. I did like the chapters about women and domestic life in 1500s Europe. The theology seemed to get more dry and scholarly, but it was interesting to learn more of a little known Anabaptist leader.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Mennonite, its often easy to lose sight of the real lives of the early Anabaptists and Klassen does a good job of giving us a readable and detailed window in Pilgram Marpeck's life from a high paid engineer with ties to Royalty to a hard-pressed dissident intellectual on the run.