Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 5
When Berceau says “lifestyle trumps theology” and points out the Schleithaim Confession contains “no theology…seven points” mostly about church and lifestyle, what does that imply about how early Christians (and early Anabaptists) defined the boundaries of faithfulness compared to how modern evangelicalism does?
Another way to ask: If “faithfulness” was defined mostly by lifestyle and church practice (like the Schleithaim Confession), how is that different from how modern evangelical churches draw the line for who is faithful?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests early Christians and early Anabaptists drew boundaries mainly around belonging to a disciplined, separated community that obeyed Jesus, while modern evangelicalism often draws boundaries more around detailed doctrinal alignment and labeling who is “in” or “out.”
- He says his conviction became “lifestyle trumps theology,” or at least lifestyle is central.
- He notes an “early Christian statement of faith” was basically the Apostles’ Creed—“all the theology you had to believe to be a member in good standing.”
- He observes apologists explaining Christianity “mainly talk about how they lived,” repeatedly.
- About Schleithaim: “There’s no theology in it at all…seven points,” with the first three on the church (believers’ baptism, communion for the separated, discipline).
- The last four Schleithaim points were “lifestyle”: separation from the world and “two kingdoms,” including refusing magistracy, war, and oaths.
- He contrasts this with later eras where theology becomes a basis for exclusion and even violence.