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Radical Reformation History  /  Lecture 20: The Anabaptist Revival  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 8
In America, John D. Roth is quoted about people “quickly giving up” Jesus-teachings like war, oaths, and slavery, and Dean ties decline to meeting only once every two or four weeks; how does that connection challenge modern assumptions that minimal gathered life can sustain serious obedience, and what concrete patterns would need to change if a congregation wanted to resist drift?
Another way to ask: How does the link between weak obedience and meeting only once every few weeks challenge the idea that a little church time is enough? What specific habits would a church need to change to avoid drifting?

Direct Answer Dean connects weak gathered life with weakened obedience: when the church rarely meets, conviction and discipleship fade, making it easier to surrender Jesus’ teachings on war, oaths, and slavery. His examples challenge the assumption that minimal fellowship can sustain “the all things of Christ,” implying congregations must deepen teaching, frequency of meeting, and intentional spiritual formation.

Support from Transcript:

  • Dean cites John D. Roth that on the “outskirts” people were “quickly giving up their Anabaptist convictions about the Jesus teachings, war, oaths…slavery.”
  • He describes early American rhythm: church “only once every two weeks,” and “if you live in the country, maybe only once every four weeks.”
  • He explicitly links this to decline: “That led to a spiritual decline. And it also led to a bit of formalism.”
  • A Moravian missionary (1748) observed: “Nearly all religious earnestness and zeal is extinguished among them.”
  • Dean contrasts with revival towns like Zollikon and Moravia meeting “four times a week.”
  • Martin Boehm/Bowen responded by holding services “weekly…all the weekdays and then every Sunday,” suggesting increased gathered life was part of renewal.
Discussion Follow-ups What would “more gathered life” look like without becoming empty busyness? How could a church structure regular meetings so that Jesus’ teachings (oaths, war, slavery-type compromises) are continually reinforced?

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