Conrad Grebel: Partier & Rising Star to Hunted Radical - John Ruth

[@ChesterWeaver]

I appreciated this interview so much! We must keep talking about these issues because these discussions ignite deep desires to carry this story forward into the future. The story creates the question "Why?" With all that is published today, we can search until we discover the reasons for "Why?" We are so richly blessed with a particular historical story, with men who understand the significance of that story, and with the technology to share the story with others who could also benefit from the story with us. Once the fire is truly ignited in human hearts, Christ takes if from there!

[@stevemartin6594]

I envy you in this opportunity you are having in being able to interview John. I have had the privilege of meeting John on a few occasions in the past and on one occasion was able to spend three hours with him all by myself. I could hardly ask my questions fast enough. I had just heard that yesterday that the picture commonly used to depict Conrad is actually John. I think Conrad would be pleased. :)

[@steventroyer1463]

Priceless.

[@PatrickMatthews-n7h]

When we took up the scriptures!

[@MD-ef9fl]

For example, try sending this snippet from Grebel's September 5, 1524 letter addressed to Muntzer (without Strauss' name) to almost any Anabaptist publisher: "We anticipate much that is good from Jacob Strauss and several others who are little esteemed by the negligent scribes and doctors at Wittenberg [Luther and his associates]. We also are rejected by our learned shepherds [Zwingli and his co-ministers]. All men cling to them because they preach a sinful sweet Christ [emphasis on Luther's doctrine of grace], and they lack the power to discern, as you point out in your booklets... " They would call you radical, mean-hearted, and ignorant of everything that Anabaptism stands for, which in their mind is "peace" and "love" but which is actually commitment to the idea of tolerance, the fundamental tenet of modern society and Western liberal democracies (which is the fruit of revolutionary French Enlightenment skepticism and rationalism). And it would never occur to the folks that run most Anabaptist publications that this letter was written by one of the most significant persons in the history of Zurich-derived Anabaptism, nor do they really care as long as they're able to fund their comfortable American lifestyle. For example, we now have Dean Taylor, a man who made a very praiseworthy move out of the army for the name of Christ and the truth of the Gospel, now leading the Zollikon Institute which is chaired by John Stahl Wert, who melds Norman Vincent Peale's positive thinking religion with acquisitive Protestant business theory and calls this God-honoring service to the Anabaptist community but it's actually the melding of deistic humanism (ie. self-love) with materialism, the foremost gods of the present age. Stahl Wert is not only tolerated but even praised because we have become quietistic, attached to material comfort and most fearful of that which challenges the status quo. God is love but He's decidedly intolerant. When He returns, King Jesus will put His enemies under His feet, especially those who teach the children of God to worship idols.

[@joegarry8983]

Surely the fundamental tenets of modern society and so called Western liberal democracies to day are nothing short of bare faced, Communistic, Totalitarian Trotskyite Communistic, degenerate, sectarian, intolerant Godless ideologies masquerading as ''Peace'' and ''Love'', polar opposites of true Christian Peace and Love, just saying

[@joegarry8983]

I love that man, could listen to his teaching, wisdom and learned insights for hours on end. One issue puzzles me greatly though, while in total agreement with the commandant, thou shalt not kill, why did Jesus say in Matt.10; 34-39, ''Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth, I have not come to bring peace, but a sword....

[@ChesterWeaver]

Jesus' radical message polarizes people.

[@joegarry8983]

@@ChesterWeaver It sure does, separates the sheep from the goats, it sure does.

[@MD-ef9fl]

​@@ChesterWeaver What is the sword symbolic of?

[@mattb.441]

If you read the context Jesus is talking about conflict within your home, with your own family who do not want to follow Jesus and His commandments. Often there will not be peace but division when they are against you.

[@MD-ef9fl]

@@mattb.441 But the imagery is of a sword. What does the sword represent?

[@Ziggy-md5ok]

I see John Ruth I listen.