Stuart Murray - The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith

Stuart Murray describes a movement that is neither uniform nor inflexible, but that can offer vision to believers of all (or no) denominations as we seek to serve the poor and powerless by means of our generosity, peacemaking, and welcoming communities. Murrays weaving of church history with practical ideas for following Christs example make for a rich and intriguing read.

JENNIFER GRANT, AUTHOR OF WHOLEHEARTED LIVING AND DISQUIET TIME

The Naked Anabaptist needed to be written, and I cant imagine anyone better than Stuart Murray to write it. I fully share Stuarts enthusiasm for what the Christian community at large can learn from the Anabaptist way of being Christian, and I hope youll share my enthusiasm for this book. Please read it and encourage others to do the same!

BRIAN D. MCLAREN, AUTHOR, SPEAKER, AND ACTIVIST

The Anabaptists are beginning to make more and more sense to a world that is increasingly aware of the emptiness of materialism and the ugliness of militarism. Anabaptist logic is rooted in the wisdom of the cross of Jesus, which Scripture says confounds the wisdom of this world. It seems the world is poised for a new Anabaptist movement, and The Naked Anabaptist may well be the spark that lights the fire.

SHANE CLAIBORNE, AUTHOR OF THE IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION

I am finding a growing hunger for a more authentic whole-life faith that makes a difference in the lives of others. Many are discovering their answer in the Anabaptist witness, as I did thirty years ago. The Naked Anabaptist is a treasure for those who want to become more faithful followers of Jesus in our troubled world. Stuart Murray compellingly explains how the Anabaptist witness calls us to take Jesus seriously in every area of our lives and in response to the urgent issues of peace and justice that fill our world.

TOM SINE, AUTHOR OF THE NEW CONSPIRATORS

Yes, it is good to be naked. Thats a profound concession for a traditional Mennonite. Whether you have been steeped in Anabaptism from birth, as I have, or are just trying to understand a peculiar worldview, you will learn a lot from this study written by a British Anabaptist.

JAMES TOEWS, PASTOR AT NEIGHBOURHOOD CHURCH, NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA, AND MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD COLUMNIST

In The Naked Anabaptist, Stuart Murray lays barein clear, simple, vulnerable detailcentral themes of radical Anabaptism that have sometimes been obscured by the ethnic and cultural garb of the Mennonite denominational tradition. For anyone eager to learn how Anabaptist theology might be translated cross-culturallywhether within the global Anabaptist fellowship or among renewal movements at the edges of mainstream Christianitythis is an essential book.

JOHN D. ROTH, GOSHEN (IND.) COLLEGE

Stuart Murray offers a compelling exploration of the heart of Anabaptism. For traditional Anabaptists, this book serves as a necessary reminder of a dynamic movement that cannot be claimed by anyone but the Spirit. Anabaptists-at-heart will be encouraged by the recognition that they are not alone. And everyone else will be confronted with a vision that, if taken to heart, has the power to revive the church and change the world.

MARK VAN STEENWYK, JESUSMANIFESTO.COM AND FOUNDER OF THE MISSIO DEI COMMUNITY IN MINNEAPOLIS

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Murray, Stuart, 1956

The naked Anabaptist : the bare essentials of a radical faith / Stuart Murray. FIFTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-8361-9983-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Anabaptists--Doctrines. I. Title.

BX4931.3.M87 2015

230.43--dc23

2015018124

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture text is quoted, with permission, from the New Revised Standard Version, 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

THE NAKED ANABAPTIST:

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

2010, 2015 by Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802

Released simultaneously in Canada by Herald Press,

Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3R1. All rights reserved.

First published 2010.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015018124

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-8361-9983-3

Printed in United States of America

Cover design by Reuben Graham

Interior design by Sans Serif

All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in whole or in part, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the copyright owners.

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