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Question 5

When Dean describes a Lutheran revival producing oath-refusers who then “met with the very tiny last spark of the Hutterites,” took their writings, and “the entire Hutterites known today have been revived from that people,” what does this say about God’s willingness to use unexpected sources, and how should that affect our instincts about purity, “our stream,” and learning from others?

Another way to ask: What does this story show about God using surprising people or groups to bring renewal? How should that change how we think about “our group,” staying pure, and learning from others?

Direct Answer Dean’s story suggests God may use unexpected people and settings—even a Lutheran revival—to renew a nearly extinguished Anabaptist remnant, so long as the result is serious obedience to Jesus. That should humble “our stream” instincts and make us cautious about dismissing outside influences, while still measuring everything by Jesus’ teachings.

Support from Transcript:

Dean says “Revival. A revival in Germany, in a Lutheran church, brought an entire new set of people.”
Their defining mark was obedience: they believed “Jesus meant every word He said,” especially about not swearing an oath.
They refused the queen’s condition: “you have to swear an oath of allegiance,” but “they couldn’t do it. Jesus said they couldn’t.”
These revived Lutherans “met with the very tiny last spark of the Hutterites” and received “the old writings.”
Their response was not brand-loyalty but obedience: “This is great. Let’s do it.”
Dean concludes impactfully: “the entire Hutterites known today have been revived from that people.”

Discussion Follow-ups How can we learn from others without losing conviction? What tests does Dean keep returning to (oaths, Jesus’ words, “all things of Christ”) that could guide discernment?

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