Review of: Old Order Mennonite Spirituality: Analysis of Ascetical and Mystical Parallels in Medieval Monasticism and a Contemporary Anabaptist Community—Andrew C. Martin

Abstract

Andrew Carl Martin’s doctoral dissertation is a welcome addition to the ecclesiologically significant, yet surprisingly under-researched topic of the relationship between strands in medieval Catholicism, especially monasticism, and Anabaptism in its various manifestations. To go a step further, Martin’s research deals specifically with Benedictine spirituality as outlined by The Rule of St. Benedict and a previously underappreciated branch of its legacy as found among the Old Order Mennonites in North America. That we are dealing with an “Order” in both cases is no insignificant aspect of the argument, for Martin ably shows that, direct historical connections notwithstanding, Old Order Mennonites indeed share a common spiritual-theological heritage with the Order of St. Benedict. [First paragraph.]

Recommended Citation

Gilland, David, Laura Kelly, and Donald Martin. 2025. "Review of: Old Order Mennonite Spirituality: Analysis of Ascetical and Mystical Parallels in Medieval Monasticism and a Contemporary Anabaptist Community—Andrew C. Martin." Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies 13(1-2):58–64.