Anabaptist Theological Perspectives

When Works Meet Faith: Anabaptist Roots and Paul’s Puzzle

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives explores the tension between Anabaptist practice and Reformed theology, tracing how early Anabaptists returned to Jesus and the Gospels instead of prioritizing Paul. The episode examines Paul’s claim in Titus 3:5, the seeming paradox of “no works” and commands to “work out your salvation,” and how misunderstanding Paul often stems from missing his Old Testament context.Eicher walks listeners through biblical examples (Cain and Abel, King Saul, Pharisees), Jesus’ parables (seed and soil), and the three Old Testament stages—sacrifice, obedience, and mercy—as the soil we prepare for God’s transformative work. He argues that Christians do contribute (preparing the ground) but not as a contractual, result-guaranteeing work; rather, we act without assurance and leave the fruit to God’s sovereign action.

When Christ Is Dethroned: Paul Kingsnorth on the Machine

Host Jerry Eicher (Baptist Theological Perspectives) discusses Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity in the second session of the "Venture Into" series. Beginning around page 11, Eicher and the episode track Kingsnorth’s core argument about what happens when Christ is removed from the center of Western culture and the sacred order collapses.The episode covers Kingsnorth’s claim that the dethroning of Christ opened a vacuum that was filled by consumer capitalism and the power of money, examines the historical consequences (from the French Revolution through totalitarian regimes), and critiques modern projects that promise perfection—liberty, democracy, progress—yet often produce dehumanizing, technocratic outcomes. Key points include the rise of the “machine,” the loss of rootedness, the impossibility of a perfect society, and the need to recognize how methods and movements can displace God even in religious renewal.Eicher adds practical reflections and examples from contemporary Anabaptist/BMA conversations—warning against theological perfectionism and method-driven revival—and emphasizes humility, self-denial, and re-centering God as essential responses. The conversation is sober and challenging, framing Kingsnorth’s book as a pivotal, provocative diagnosis of our cultural crisis.

Against the Machine: Reclaiming Humanity in a Mechanized Age

Host Jerry Eicher opens a possible series on Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity, offering a close, reflective reading of the book’s major arguments. Eicher frames Kingsnorth’s diagnosis of modern malaise—how reason, technology, and the loss of shared narrative have hollowed out human life—and situates the work within religious and literary contexts.The episode covers Kingsnorth’s key claims: the machine as a growing, impersonal force that flattens human frailty into straight-line efficiency; the historical shift from narrative-driven cultures to a reason-centered modernity; the collapse of Christianity’s cultural role; and Nietzsche’s insight that removing meaning produces nihilism. Eicher traces how those shifts produced our technological achievements and, simultaneously, a shadow—what Kingsnorth calls the machine—that threatens to unmake humanity.Eicher uses concrete examples from everyday life (people absorbed by screens in cafés, the rise of algorithmic systems, and debates over identity and medicalization) to show the book’s practical implications. He reflects on the spiritual dimensions of Kingsnorth’s argument, the danger of transferring trust wholly to human reason, and the cultural consequences of educating toward knowledge without shared narrative.Listeners can expect a thoughtful, faith-informed analysis rather than a purely academic summary: close readings of Genesis and Revelation motifs in Kingsnorth’s work, references to Nietzsche, and a call to recognize and resist the dehumanizing tendencies of modern technology and ideology. This episode is a primer for anyone wanting to understand Kingsnorth’s critique and its implications for faith, culture, and the future of human life.

When Politics Penetrates the Pulpit: Anabaptist Reflections on the ICE Case

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives examines the recent ICE shooting of protester Renee Good in Minneapolis as a lens into a broader problem: political forces—both left and right—have deeply penetrated the Christian world. Drawing on Russell Moore’s piece on Romans 13 and a critical article about Francis Collins, Eicher traces how mass movements during the Obama and Trump eras altered Christian public witness and when it is legitimate for the church to render moral judgments about government actions.
The episode covers COVID-era responses (church shutdowns and vaccine debates), interpretations of Romans 13 and the limits of obedience to civil authorities, critiques of evangelical leaders’ endorsements (including Francis Collins), and the distinction Anabaptists maintain against violence while urging moral engagement and truth-telling by the church.

Preparing the Ground: The Hidden Power of Sacrifice

This episode unpacks Mark 4:26–27 and the Parable of the Soils to explore how 'preparing the ground' relates to biblical sacrifice. Drawing from Old Testament examples—Cain and Abel, Abraham, and Jacob—Jerry Eicher contrasts transactional, contribution-based faith with sacrificial obedience and shows how true spiritual growth often comes without guarantees.
Topics covered include the theological tension between works and faith, the nature of sacrifice as giving everything without a contract, the promise-based life of Abraham, Jacob’s return to Bethel and building an altar, and practical takeaways about removing backup plans and yielding control to God. 
Key takeaways: the soil (our lives) must be prepared through true sacrifice for the seed to grow, explosive spiritual growth transcends natural expectations, and listeners are invited to identify any Bethel in their life where an altar still needs to be built.

Israel, Iran and the Unraveling of the Proxies

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives offers a solo, concise overview of the current Middle East situation, concentrating on Israel, the Iranian protests, and the collapse of Iran’s regional proxy network (Syria, Lebanon/Hezbollah, Gaza/Hamas, Yemen/Houthi).Jerry reviews recent flashpoints—from the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s military tactics to U.S. responses under President Trump—and explains how strategy, technology, and shifting politics have altered the regional landscape.The episode closes with theological reflections on biblical prophecy, Israel’s resilience and identity, and the possible political trajectories for Iran and its neighbors.

48th Annual Ministers Week — Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute (Feb 16–20)

A brief announcement and encouragement to attend the 48th Annual Ministers Week hosted by Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute, February 16–20.
Expect focused teaching on Scripture and ministry, with classes such as Inspiration and Instruction in the Hebrew Scripture (Nathan Zook); Learning Effective Discipleship (Isaac Diemer); Counted Faithful in the Ministry; Reaching Our Local Communities (Marcus Fox); and The Gospel of the Kingdom (Roger Byers). Sessions run in three periods each day, with two class options per period.
There are also ladies’ classes—Spiritual Disciplines for Ladies (Bonnie Bauman) and Why Are You Teaching (Kendra Kennel)—which emphasize mentoring younger women. Meals will be prepared by Leon Kennel, and the event connects informally with other Mennonite ministries and Faith Builders resources.
Logistics: limited seating and lodging, so preregistration is required. Call 717-485-4341 or sign up on the institute website. Lodging is about $15/night and meals have a suggested $5 donation. The week is geared toward pastors and ministry workers but open to anyone interested in current church issues and practical teaching.

When Mercy Wins: Tolkien, Scripture, and the Power of Pity

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives explores the necessity of mercy—especially the practice of allowing another person’s evil to run its course so it may collapse under its own weight—without excusing wrongdoing or de-emphasizing justice.
The episode examines James 2:13 and Romans 9:15–16, critiques overly deterministic readings that discard human will, and contrasts mercy with discipline and grit. Eicher uses J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (Frodo, the Ring, Gollum, Bilbo, and Gandalf) as a central example to show how pity and restraint—rather than flawless willpower—become the decisive forces that preserve the future and make victory possible.
Key takeaways: mercy can look foolish or inefficient but keeps outcomes open, it does not guarantee transformation of the evildoer, and it may be the means by which we ourselves are ultimately saved. The episode closes with a personal anecdote about family mercy and a call to practice patient compassion in everyday life.

Making Money While You Sleep: Letting God Grow Your Spiritual Life

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives explores the surprising spiritual meaning behind the phrase “making money while you sleep,” using Jesus’ parable in Mark 4:26–27 to show how God’s life can grow within us beyond our constant effort.The episode addresses the tension between inner faith and external disciplines—fasting, prayer, life boundaries, and community—and critiques modern tendencies to abandon those externals. Eicher draws on biblical examples (Old Testament walls, Cornelius), historical figures and movements (Bill Gothard, Joshua Harris), and contemporary cultural commentary (Jordan Peterson) to illustrate the need for protected, prepared ground where God’s seed can flourish.Key takeaways include practical, faith-shaped practices (regular prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, and guarded life patterns), a call to remove fear of godly obedience, and an encouragement to balance inward reliance on the Spirit with outward structures that preserve spiritual growth.

Does Hell Ever End? Eternal Fires vs Annihilation

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspective responds to Kirk Cameron’s announcement that he no longer believes in eternal punishment, exploring biblical texts (e.g., Revelation 14), the atonement, and competing views of hell and annihilation.The episode covers two central proposals: the ‘preservation of the record’ idea for why evil might be maintained in a contained, demonstrable state rather than erased, and deep ontological questions about being, non-being, and whether created wills or souls can be returned to nothing. Eicher critiques popular annihilationist arguments (mentioning Edward Fudge, Plato, Milton, and 1 Timothy 6:16) and lays out what he sees as the theological and logical stakes. No external guests — hosted and argued by Jerry Eicher.