Nonconformity to the world

Nonconformity to the world is a Christian doctrine based on Romans 12:2:^[1]

Do not be conformed to this world...^[2]

that became important, especially among Anabaptist groups.

Biblical basis

In addition to Romans 12:2, the doctrine of nonconformity is also based on the following passages:

• Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate. 2. Corinthians 6:17
• If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
• Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity against God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4
• That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15
• Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. 1 Peter 2:9
• Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27^[3]

History

Even though not unique to Anabaptists or Mennonites, the concept of nonconformity has found an unusually intense and detailed application among these groups.^[4] Among traditional Anabaptist groups, the majority of them being Old Orders, nonconformity is practiced in relation to dress, the use of technology like horse and buggy transportation instead of cars, the rejection of television and radio, the use of language, that is German dialects like Pennsylvania German, Plautdietsch and others instead of English or Spanish, nonresistance, avoidance of oaths, avoidance of lawsuits, and other questions.^[5]

Literature

• John C. Wenger: Separated unto God: a Plea for Christian Simplicity of Life and for a Scriptural Nonconformity to the World. Scottdale, PA 1951.

References

1. J. R. Shank: Nonconformity to the World, in Bible Doctrine: A Treatise on the Great Doctrines of the Bible, Pertaining to God, Angels, Satan, the Church, and the Salvation, Duties and Destiny of Man, ed. Daniel Kauffman, Scottdale, PA 1914, page 510.
2. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ro 12:2
3. Daniel Kauffman: Manual of Bible Doctrines, Elkhart, IN 1898, page 188.
4. • Nonconformity at Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online
5. Donald B. Kraybill (2010). Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hurtterites and Mennonites. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 152.