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Radical Reformation History  /  Lecture 16: Menno Simons and the Early Dutch Anabaptists  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 8
Obe Philips was baptized and the next day ordained because “they all thought the world is ending”; what does that decision reveal about how fear and end-times urgency can warp church practice, and how should a biblical view of God’s timing shape training, ordination, and accountability?
Another way to ask: What does baptizing and ordaining someone almost immediately because people feared the world was ending show about how panic can twist church decisions? How should trusting God’s timing shape training, ordination, and accountability?

Direct Answer The transcript shows that end-times panic created rushed leadership—Obe was ordained immediately because they believed they had no time, which risked unstable churches and confused direction. Dean’s wider emphasis implies that Scripture, sobriety, and tested character should govern ordination, not urgency-driven shortcuts.

Support from Transcript:

  • Obe was baptized December 1533, and “the next day he was ordained to preach, baptize, and lead out in the brotherhood.”
  • Dean explains the motive: “Remember, they all thought the world is ending. We’ve got to hurry.”
  • The movement context was already volatile: another minister was calling for “imminent destruction of all tyrants,” and authorities labeled leaders “seducers and deceivers.”
  • Dean later shows the fallout of instability around these groups—many were drawn toward Jan Matthias’ violent program, and Holland had “weird stuff happening.”
  • Dean repeatedly insists the Word must be central: leaders must ask “what does the scripture say,” not be led by revelations or panic.
Discussion Follow-ups How do crises (political fear, persecution, “end times” excitement) tempt churches to promote untested leaders? What processes of training and accountability would reflect trust in God’s timing rather than anxiety?

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