LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

BOOK REVIEW

THE ANABAPTIST STORY: AN INTRODUCTION TO SIXTEENTH-CENTURY ANABAPTISM

BY WILLIAM R. ESTEP

SUBMITTED TO DR. STEVEN GUEST

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION OF CHHI 525B,

BY

JASON LOCKE

LEESBURG, IN

DECEMBER 2, 2010
Introduction

In the book, The Anabaptist Story, by William R Estep, the author takes the position that

indeed the movement of the Anabaptists was not just another part of the Reformation, but was a

movement that forever shaped evangelical Christianity. The author takes the stance that

Anabaptist of the 16th Century have been seen in the wrong light and that no other group has

been more unjustly judged (1). Estep was one of four of the foremost authorities on the

Anabaptist movement. He taught Church History for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

from 1954 until he retired in 1990. He still continued to teach for another four years following

his retirement.1 The position of this review is to show that Estep is correct in his position that the

Anabaptists have been unfairly judged as heretics and this is a book that every church historian

should have when it comes to understanding the 16th century Anabaptists.

Summary

The first seven chapters of the book describe the history of how Anabaptists’ came into

existence. One of the greatest strengths of this book is that Estep goes into great detail explaining

the background of the Anabaptists, not only focusing upon the major people of the movement but

some of the lesser known ones like Wolfgang Ulimann and Hans Neidermaier (74). The book

depicts the founders of Anabaptism in great detail in chapter 1. Estep shows the influence that

Zwingli had on the early brethren (12) and how it was this influence that caused the separation of

the three men from Zwingli (15-17).

Another huge emphasis that the author places in this book is what he refers to as the

hallmark of the Anabaptist faith: martyrdom (57). He uses chapters 2 and 3 to draw the

distinctions between Anabaptists and the other reformers. Estep shows that it was Zwingli’s

1
Obituary, “Baptist Standard,” Baptist Standard,
http://www.baptiststandard.com/2000/7_24/pages/estep.html (accessed December 2, 2010).

1
hesitation in Zurich concerning the Mass that caused these early Swiss Brethren to depart from

Zwingli (31).

In chapters 8-11, the author deals with specific doctrine of the Anabaptists. He deals with

the issue of why the Anabaptists were considered heretics (178). Estep deals with the issues of

Solo Scriptura and Justification by Faith showing that the Anabaptists have always believed in

these two points even to the point of standing against infant baptism (197). He shows that the

Anabaptists were simply dealing with the inconsistency they perceived between Luther’s stance

upon faith alone and his support of infant baptism. The Anabaptists were simply taking the

teachings of Luther to the next level. They truly saw a problem with the church and state

relationship. Each time they were in conflict they chose the church over the state. Estep shows

the connection that Anabaptist’s saw between baptism and discipleship. Estep does this by

detailing the writings and debates of Balthasar Hubmaier (207). Estep concludes the book by

showing the influence that the Anabaptist’s had upon the early Baptists.

Critique

One of the strongest features of this book is the detail that Estep goes into and the amount

of footnoting that he includes. He not only details the events but allows the reader to do further

study on the issue by comprehensive footnotes. An example of this can be seen in the discussion

on the founder of Anabaptists (38). Another example of this can be seen in his dealings with the

Schleitheim Confession (66). Throughout the book Estep gives detailed accounts in the text and

footnotes. One issue that I have with this book was found in the last chapter where the author

seems to place Anabaptism and the Anabaptists upon a pedestal in the statement “Rather it is the

prized possession of every free society of the twentieth century world” (305). This statement is

2
certainly open to debate among scholars and laymen alike.2 This reviewer would say that the

Anabaptist’ have had profound impact upon the twentieth century, but every free society does

not owe the Anabaptists for that freedom. There are other factors that have had their impact upon

freedom and again this reviewer would see the Anabaptists as an example of the cost of freedom

of religion but simply not the sole cause. Another issue that this reviewer and others have seen as

a problem is that Estep fails to deal with the radical movement of Anabaptists.3 It would have

added to the book had Estep dealt with some of the more radical factions, but this reviewer

would say that Estep lost perspective because he did not include it.4

Conclusion

This book by Estep is a well thought through and one that indeed has many references

and explanations behind the Anabaptists. As was pointed out in the summary, the detail alone

that the author uses to explain the movement coupled with the extensive footnotes and

bibliography make this book a great resource. It is the reviewer’s opinion that this book would

make a great addition to any pastor’s or scholar’s library.

2
Walter Klassen, “The Anabaptist Story,” Mennonite Quarterly 42, no. 2 (1968): 156-57.
3
Everett Ferguson, “The Anabaptist Story,” Restoration Quarterly 21, no. 2 (1978): 123-24.
4
Ibid., 124

3
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Estep, William Roscoe. The Anabaptist Story: An Introduction to Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism.

3 Rev Sub ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996.

Ferguson, Everett. “The Anabaptist Story.” Restoration Quarterly 21, no. 2 (1978): 123-24.

Klassen, Walter. “The Anabaptist Story.” Mennonite Quarterly 42, no. 2 (1968): 156-57.

Obituary. "Baptist Standard." Baptist Standard.

http://www.baptiststandard.com/2000/7_24/pages/estep.html (accessed December 2,
2010).