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Radical Reformation History  /  Lecture 20: The Anabaptist Revival  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 9
Christian Kaufman’s baptism class (1759) was rushed—“That’ll do…they have no time to spare”—and an ex-Mennonite warned against baptism-for-marriage pressure; what do these accounts suggest God cares about regarding voluntary conviction and conscience, and where might your church culture subtly pressure people into outward steps without inward reality?
Another way to ask: What do these baptism stories suggest God cares about when it comes to free choice and personal conviction? Where might your church pressure people to take outward steps without real inner change?

Direct Answer The transcript suggests God cares that baptism and discipleship flow from personal conviction and conscience, not from convenience, tradition, or social leverage like marriage approval. These warnings expose how church culture can drift into formalism where outward steps are taken quickly, while inner conversion and careful examination are neglected.

Support from Transcript:

  • The ex-Mennonite (1770) warned: parents “insist on their children being baptized before…marriage,” and he fears people are “forced into a thing which should be a matter of personal choice following conviction and cause of conscience.”
  • Christian Kaufman (1759) describes being examined for baptism; when he began sharing sincerely, he was cut off: “That’ll do. I may withdraw. They have no time to spare.”
  • His response shows spiritual alarm: “This is the history of my preparation of baptism. I thought, ‘My God, have mercy.’”
  • Dean frames this period as one where “real conversion had begun to decline” and “formalism” was growing.
  • He later celebrates revival leaders (like Martin Bowen) whose burden became “a genuine and true salvation,” not just functioning as a preacher or church member.
Discussion Follow-ups Where do we rush people today—membership, baptism, leadership—because we are busy or want quick outcomes? How can we better protect conscience and ensure people understand and truly embrace “the all things of Christ”?

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