Radical Reformation

The Radical Reformation was a movement that started in the 16th century as people felt that both the Catholic Church and the newer Protestant movement led by Martin Luther needed more change. It began in Germany and Switzerland and led to the creation of many new Protestant groups across Europe. Important leaders and groups included Thomas Müntzer, Andreas Karlstadt, the Zwickau prophets, and groups like the Hutterites and Mennonites.

Many people in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria supported these ideas even though they faced harsh treatment. Though only a small part of Europe followed these radical teachings, they wrote a lot, and their ideas spread, especially in the United States. Today, groups like the Old Order Anabaptists and Conservative Anabaptists follow the Radical Reformation's teachings, focusing on obeying the Bible, peaceful living, and keeping to traditional ways.

History

Some early Radical Reformers believed the world would soon end. This idea was strong during the rule of John of Leiden in the city of Münster in 1535. However, their rule was stopped by forces from the Catholic Bishop of Münster and the Lutheran Landgrave of Hesse. Even after this, small groups like the Batenburgers kept their strong beliefs.

Early Anabaptists thought their changes needed to make both their beliefs and lives better, especially in how they treated others. They believed the church should not get help from governments through taxes or force. They thought faith should be a personal choice, not something anyone could be made to do.

Many groups were shaped by taking the Bible very literally (like the Swiss Brethren), by focusing on the spirit (like some Anabaptists in south Germany), and by strong beliefs against fighting (like the Swiss Brethren, the Hutterites, and the Mennonites from northern Germany and the Netherlands). The Hutterites also shared their belongings. At first, most of these groups worked hard to share their beliefs with others.

Later forms of Anabaptism

Later forms of Anabaptism were small groups that wanted to live separately from others. Some of these groups were the Mennonites, Amish, and Hutterites.

One important leader was Menno Simons, a priest from the Netherlands who joined the Anabaptists in 1536. He believed that using violence was wrong and did not fit with Christian teachings. This idea of peace has been important to Mennonites for many years. Today, groups like the Bruderhof are inspired by the Anabaptist way of life.

Non-Anabaptist Radical Reformers

Though most Radical Reformers were part of the Anabaptist group, some did not see themselves this way. Thomas Müntzer took part in the German Peasants' War. Andreas Karlstadt had different beliefs from Huldrych Zwingli and Martin Luther. He taught about peace and did not believe in baptizing infants but also did not rebaptize adults.

Other reformers included Kaspar Schwenkfeld and Sebastian Franck, who were inspired by German mysticism and spiritual ideas. Later, in the 1600s in England, the busy times of the English Civil War and English Revolution led to new groups forming. These groups were influenced by the Radical Reformation. One such group was the Religious Society of Friends, also called Quakers, started by George Fox and Margaret Fell.

Other movements

Besides the Anabaptists, there were other groups during the Radical Reformation. A scholar named George Huntston Williams studied these groups and included early forms of Unitarianism. This included ideas from people like Michael Servetus and the Polish Brethren, who had different beliefs about Jesus than most Christians at the time. With Servetus and Faustus Socinus, beliefs that challenged the traditional idea of the Trinity became more noticeable.

George Huntston Williams, Unitarianism, Socinians, Michael Servetus, Polish Brethren, Nicene, Christology, Faustus Socinus, anti-Trinitarianism

Beliefs

The Radical Reformation believed in the idea of a Believers' Church. Unlike the Catholic Church and other Protestant groups, they thought the church was only made up of people who chose to follow Jesus and showed this through adult baptism, known as believer's baptism.

These groups did not trust the organized church structure. They believed the true church should not be connected to governments and that being part of a church with power was not right. They felt that true followers of Jesus might always face trouble because of their beliefs.