Nonconformity to the world

Nonconformity to the world is a Christian doctrine based on Romans 12:2:[1]

Do not be conformed to this world...[2]

that became important, especially among Anabaptist groups.

Biblical basis

In addition to Romans 12:2, the doctrine of nonconformity is also based on the following passages:

History

Even though not unique to Anabaptists or Mennonites, the concept of nonconformity has found an unusually intense and detailed application among these groups.[4] Among traditional Anabaptist groups, the majority of them being Old Orders, nonconformity is practiced in relation to dress, the use of technology like horse and buggy transportation instead of cars, the rejection of television and radio, the use of language, that is German dialects like Pennsylvania German, Plautdietsch and others instead of English or Spanish, nonresistance, avoidance of oaths, avoidance of lawsuits, and other questions.[5]

Literature

References

  1. J. R. Shank: Nonconformity to the World, in Bible Doctrine: A Treatise on the Great Doctrines of the Bible, Pertaining to God, Angels, Satan, the Church, and the Salvation, Duties and Destiny of Man, ed. Daniel Kauffman, Scottdale, PA 1914, page 510.
  2. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ro 12:2
  3. Daniel Kauffman: Manual of Bible Doctrines, Elkhart, IN 1898, page 188.
  4. Donald B. Kraybill (2010). Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hurtterites and Mennonites. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 152.
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