Schwenckfeld Then…
Schwenkfelders Now
Caspar Schwenckfeld was...
A Gentle Man in the best sense of the word. He was refined and courteous, not crude in his actions nor cutting in his speech.A
Student of the Word of God who studied the Bible in a scholarly and reflective manner. He brought all the knowledge he could to his reading of the scriptures.
A Man of Prayer in all its forms or confession, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession; free prayer from the heart and formal prayer from preceding centuries.
A Man Concerned about His World. The needs of people were always before him. In his position as a Silesian nobleman, he saw that roads were paved, peasants were tried fairly in court, and women were respected and educated.
A Man who Lived the Life of the Spirit. He believed that the power of God’s Spirit, His presence, is the only real force in this world. Spiritual fellowship with God is primary; ceremony and ritual are secondary.
A Disciple of Jesus Christ. He had a personal relationship with the living Lord. He was a “Confessor of the Glory of Christ,” … an acquaintance that he maintained day by day and developed in what he called the “School of Christ”. His goal was Christian maturity that modeled the life of Christ.
Schwenkfelders strive to be…
Law-abiding citizens; tolerant of others, diplomatic in discussions, agreeing to disagree when issues cannot be resolved, striving always to “set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity”. (I Timothy 4:12)
Students of the Bible who acquire a background of knowledge of the present as well as the past and relate that knowledge to the Scriptures. Christian education is vital, and the Bible is studied “for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness . . .”
(II Timothy 3:16)People of prayer, personal prayer offered daily and corporate prayer offered weekly in public worship, because those who pray are brought into fellowship with the living God. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
People concerned about human need. Education has always been emphasized, along with missions at home and abroad; now social awareness adds new dimensions to the church’s ministry and the New Testament question is as relevant as when first written: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (I John 3:17-18)
Primarily interested in meaning, not method, in purpose, not form. The question is: “Does this practice – whatever it may be – lead you into the presence of God?” That is asked of an order of worship, private devotional practices, an agenda for a meeting: all must be done according to Christ’s standard: “God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
Disciples of Christ who know that they have an eternity of growth before them within the “School of Christ”. We are faithful in worship, study, and service. They have a goal: “. . . unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)
Some Emphases of Schwenckfeld’s Teachings
Individualism ... self awareness and personal responsibility within the framework of Christian love
and commitment.The Rights of the Laity … human development that fosters the well-being of the human family.
Christian Liberty … freedom to tolerate divergent thinking within the historic Christian faith.
Humanity … restoring the intended unity of humanity through Christ.
Right of Religious Assembly … religious discussion in an atmosphere of freedom and obedience to God.
Spirit above Letter … the indwelling Christ imparts Himself directly.
Human Character … to grow in favor with God and humankind.
Christian Unity … Christians should be brothers and sisters first and last.
Education of Conscience … personality directed and cultured by the Spirit of Christ.
Christian Thought … based on a personal relationship with Christ, not speculative philosophy.
Practical Christianity … the Gospel applied to all of life.
From: Corpus Schwenckfeldianorum Volume 1