On Learning to Write from a Martyred Anabaptist: Balthasar Hübmaier

The ethical tone of Hübmaier’s writings also marks him for distinction among the writers of his age. He is scrupulously fair to his adversaries—always fair in intention, and usually fair in deed. He never charges misconduct and heresy upon his adversaries with that light-hearted carelessness of fact which is characteristic of his age and of most of its writers—of Luther and Zwingli, for example.

And the difference in tone between his controversial writings and those of the period is marvellous. To read an average pamphlet of Luther’s, written to confute some adversary,—Wider Hans Wurst, for instance, or Contra Henricum Regem,—and then to turn to any writing of Hübmaier’s, is like escaping from the mephitic odours of a slum into a garden of spices. It is not merely that scurrilous abuse has been exchanged for courteous speech,—the whole atmosphere is different. There is a “sweet reasonableness” in Hübmaier’s attitude toward men and truth, a confident belief that he is right, but a genuine willingness to be instructed, which is rare in any age and was unique in his.

Of a brilliant English scholar it was said, as his fitting epitaph, “He died learning”; and of Hübmaier it may be said with equal truth that each year of his life saw him take a long stride forward, not only in knowledge of the truth, but in that love that is not easily provoked and thinketh no evil.

--Henry C. Vedder, Balthasar Hübmaier: The Leader of the Anabaptists (New York; London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons; Knickerbocker Press, 1905), 157–158. (pic source)

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Comments

[Scott Shaver]

Hubmaier is a good example of humility. Willing to listen to others and willing to continue learning.

Compare this to the recent Jonathan Merritt article on the modus operandus of TGC and it's interaction with the public via web and blog sites. Disagree or challenge their thinking and folks get blocked from viewing or participating. Real Christian courage in the face of honest debate and discussion, I think not.

TGC is not the only "Southern Baptist" group operating this way so I don't understand why Merrit singles them out without mentioning SBCToday or Pravda. Both of those sites operate in a similar fashion.

They're all pretty cowardly IMO. If this approach reflects a "courageous address" of "baptist" issues, I'd hate to see how they operate in time of real tumult.

[Scott Shaver]

Guess the only thing Hubmaier might identify with in today's SBC is a concept of "religious liberty"......applied to Islam only that is.