LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

ALEXANDER MACK AND HIS INFLUENCE ON THE BRETHREN CHURCH

SUBMITTED TO DR. JERRY SUTTON

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION OF CHHI 525D

BY

JASON LOCKE

LEESBURG, IN

DECEMBER 19, 2010

Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................2

Background of Alexander Mack..................................................................................3

Radical Pietism............................................................................................................3

Anabaptist Influence....................................................................................................4

Alexander Mack’s Conversion....................................................................................5

Core Beliefs of Alexander Mack.................................................................................6

Brief History of the Brethren Church..........................................................................9

Mack’s Influence on the Brethren Church.................................................................10

Conclusion.................................................................................................................12

Bibliography..............................................................................................................13

1
Introduction

In the 16th century, the world saw a great movement in the church known as the

Reformation. A lowly priest by the name of Martin Luther had seen enough of the practices of

selling indulgences that he wrote up 95 theses and tacked them to the church doors in

Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. This little document that Luther intended to reform

the church sparked a Reformation that would not only change the Catholic Church, but that

would quickly spark schism in the church. Luther never intended the church to split but that is

exactly what occurred. The Reformation sparked many different groups of people that had

problems with the Catholic Church to separate from it and form their own church(s). In these

groups there was one group that received criticism and persecution not only from the Catholic

Church but from other Protestant churches. This group of believers was Anabaptists or re-

baptizers as they were sometimes called. The Anabaptists were looking for a total separation of

the Church from the State. They did not want to reform the church but saw great need to separate

from it. They saw the union of Church and State to be a betrayal to the primitive Christianity.1

The Anabaptist movement started when three men split from Zwingli over the issue of the

Catholic Mass in the city of Zurich.2 The movement blossomed from there and formed many

denominations that are still prevalent today. The movement that started in Zurich branched forth

and had impact on several individuals one in particular was Alexander Mack the founder of the

Brethren movement and several Brethren churches today. Alexander Mack was a man of great

conviction and counted the cost before stepping out in faith and joining the Anabaptist

movement. Alexander Mack’s convictions led him to lay the foundations of the Brethren Church

also known as the Progressive Brethren. Alexander Mack not only laid the foundation but many
1
Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity: Reformation to the Present Day (New York: Harper One,
1985), 53.
2
For Further information concerning the circumstances that surrounded the three Swiss brethren splitting
from Zwingli see Ibid., 54-55..

2
of his beliefs are practiced today in the Brethren Church. The humble beginnings of this one man

has lead to a denomination that is known as Brethren. This paper will explore these beginnings

and show that the beliefs of this man are still practiced today in the Brethren Church.

Background of Alexander Mack

Alexander Mack was born in July 1679 the third child of Johann Phillip Mack and his

wife Christina Fillbrun Mack in the city of Schriesheim in the Palatinate. He was baptized into

the local reformed church on July 27, 1679.3 Alexander being the third son was destined to go

and be educated at the university but plans changed upon the death of his oldest brother. The

decision was made to have him go into the family business of being a miller. He married Anna

Margarethe King on January 8, 1701 and had two sons. It would be but a short time later that

Mack would come under the influence of the Pietist movement and a man by the name of Ernst

Christoph Hochmann von Hochenau a radical Pietist and known separatist.4 This relationship

would forever change the course of Alexander and what would eventually lead him to finally

count the cost and become an Anabaptist. In the next section a brief look at Hochmann will be

looked at as well as the radical pietism that he advocated that had a profound impact upon

Alexander.

Radical Pietism

The idea of Pietism came from the Lutheran church from one Jacob Spencer. He was a

Lutheran pastor that saw a need to make the Christian walk one more closely linked with living a

sanctified life.5 Radical Pietism is the conclusion that the established connection of Church and

State must be done away with and the Church must become independent. Hochmann was a

3
William R. Eberly, ed., The Complete Writings of Alexander Mack (Winona Lake, Ind.: BMH Books,
1991), 1.
4
Ibid.
5
Carl Diemer, “CCHI 525 Video 11” (lecture, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, 2009),

3
Radical Pietist that had a profound impact upon Alexander Mack. The exact date as to when

Mack changed his view to Radical Pietism is not for certain.6 It is speculated that this coincided

with the selling of Mack’s inheritance, the mill, in 1706. The reason for this is that with the

turning to Radical Pietist views one often gave up his gainful employment.7 The exact date can

be debated but the heart of this issue is that Mack changed his viewpoint. Alexander Mack now

faced a very big problem his views were different than the established Reform church. Today

when one changes churches it is considered no big deal, but in Mack’s time period this was a

major decision. Following the 30 Years War, Germany had three established state churches, the

Catholic Church, the Lutherans, and the Reformed. To believe or establish another church was to

be labeled a heretic.8 The idea of leaving a church today is for the most part an easy decision. It

was a huge risk for Mack that could very well cost him his life.

Anabaptist Influence

The Anabaptist movement also had a tremendous impact upon the early Brethren. The

entire external structure to the Brethren faith is based upon this one movement.9 It was the

Anabaptist devotion to the church life that influenced Alexander so much. The Mennonites and

quite possibly the Swiss Brethren devotion to the church polity and discipline set them apart

from the State churches.10 It was the combination of the Anabaptists and Radical Pietism that

shaped Alexander Mack’s beliefs and ultimately the Brethren Church.

6
Marcus Meier, Origin of the Schwarzenau Brethren (Philadelphia: Brethren Encyclopedia, 2008), 13.
7
Ibid.
8
Homer A. Kent, Sr., "The Life and Work of Alexander Mack," Brethren Life and Thought 19 (1974): 37.
9
Dale R. Stoffer, Background and Development of Brethren Doctrines, 1650-1987 (Brethren Encyclopedia
Monograph Series, No. 2) (Philadelphia, Pa.: Brethren Encyclopedia, 1989), 44.
10
Ibid., 56. See Also Dale R Stoffer, “A Swiss Brethren (Anabaptist) Source For the Beliefs of Alexander
Mack and the Early Brethren,” Brethren Life and Thought 48 (2003): 29-30.

4
Alexander Mack’s Conversion

Persecution and the seeking of refuge eventually led Alexander Mack and others like

them to Schwarzenau, Switzerland. Here they found refuge and were allowed to practice their

religion for a time unhindered. It is here that Alexander Mack searched out the scriptures and

realized that baptism of the believer was essential to the Christian life. The turning point came in

1708 when Alexander Mack and seven others counted the cost and decided to be baptized as

believers. It is interesting to note that Hochmann, mentor to Mack, discouraged him from doing

this if it meant they were required.11 The friendship and mentorship that Mack and Hochmann

would be forever changed because Mack and he did not agree on the way the church should be

organized.12 The persecution eventually became so severe that the groups were forced to leave

Europe and settle in America. They settled in Germantown, PA and immediately were welcomed

by the other Brethren that had preceded them to the United States.13 Alexander Mack passed

away on January 31, 1735. He left behind a great legacy and was the father to many of the

Brethren churches that one can see today. In the remainder of the paper several of Mack’s beliefs

will be outlined. The formation of the Brethren Church will be looked at to compare and show

that there are many that indeed are practiced today because of Alexander Mack.

Core Beliefs of Alexander Mack

It will not be possible to look at all of Alexander Mack’s beliefs in this section. A

sampling of some of the big issues that set Mack apart from the other Anabaptists and

distinctions that set the Brethren Church apart will be explored. It should be noted that Dr. Dale

R. Stoffer is responsible for much of the Brethren material that will be explored. He is probably

11
Keith M. Bailey, They Counted the Cost: The History of the Dunkard Brethren Church from 1926 to
2008 (Nappanee: Evangel Press, 2009), 23-24.
12
Dale R. Stoffer, Background and Development, 66 and also see Keith M. Bailey, 24.
13
Keith M. Bailey, 33.

5
one of the few that have a specialty in the Brethren movement. He is a professor at Ashland

Theological Seminary in Ohio and also currently serving on Brethren Encyclopedia Committee

as Vice-President.

The first belief that needs to be looked at is this issue of baptism. For Mack this was

probably one of the single biggest issues that he defended his position throughout his life. 14

Mack believed that baptism was to be administered to the believer only keeping with the

Anabaptist and the Swiss Brethren (Mennonites). Mack ran against both the Radical Pietist and

the Mennonites on the issue of baptism. The Radical Pietist did not see the need for the physical

act of baptism and saw the spiritual side as being sufficient.15 He found opposition with the

Mennonites in the time and method that one should be baptized.16 Mack looked to the scriptures

for his answers and seeing that Jesus in the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) commanded

that all believers should be baptized. He looked at Romans 6:2-4 where Paul describes the

process that by being baptized it symbolized the death and resurrection of the Lord. It was here

that Mack found the strongest evidence that it was more than just spiritual.17 The concept comes

out in Mack’s writings. In one of his writings Mack has a mock conversation between a son and

father concerning different beliefs. His view that Jesus commanded baptism to be physically

performed can be seen in the following,

“…when the Lord wished to send his disciples out into the world to preach the Gospel, he gave
them a specific commandment that they were to teach and baptize in His name all those that
believed in him…and you can see further from Acts 2:37, 38 when the people asked what they
should do, Peter answered ‘Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins; and you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”18

14
Dale R. Stoffer, Background and Development, 78, the reference that occupied his thoughts in Basic
Questions and Rights and Ordinances. 78
15
Ibid. See also Dale R Stoffer, “A Swiss Brethren (Anabaptist) Source For the Beliefs of Alexander Mack
and the Early Brethren,”, 32.
16
Ibid.
17
Ibid.
18
William R. Eberly, ed.,49.

6
As one can see from this, Mack believed that the purpose of baptism was commanded by the

Lord and that everyone that was a believer should be baptized out of obedience to that

commandment.

Mack also saw that the importance of baptism only fell on those that made a true

confession of faith or they most certainly had to be believers. Hochmann and Mack differed here

because Hochmann saw no point in the re-baptizing of the adult believer since their infant

baptism was sufficient.19 Mack could easily dismiss the issue of infant baptism since there was

nowhere in the scriptures that spoke of children being baptized. Again in this mock discussion

this idea really comes across in the father’s dialogue. Mack discusses the concept of when entire

households in the New Testament are recorded as being saves and baptized. The son proposes

that there were certainly children present. The father’s response is it does not specifically say that

the children were baptized.20 The son also asks what happens to a child if it dies before the

profession and baptism does it lose the salvation gift. The father’s response gives great insight

into the mind of Mack concerning this issue.

“…whenever God commanded something he wanted it kept just as he had commanded. The
circumcision of the Old Testament was demanded only of male infants on the eighth day. If then a
child died before that time, he would have not violated that command…Therefore, if a child dies
without water baptism, that will not be disadvantageous for it, because it had not been commanded of
the child. It has not experienced the ‘eighth day’ that is the day on which it could have repented and
believed in the Lord Jesus, and could have been baptized upon this, its faith. 21

It is not hard to see that for Mack the issue of baptism was exclusive to believers and any

other baptism was not valid.

Baptism for Mack was as well a matter of being obedient. In the dialogue between

the son and father, the son asks that what if someone is obedient in all other things that

19
Dale R Stoffer, “A Swiss Brethren (Anabaptist) Source For the Beliefs of Alexander Mack and the Early
Brethren,”, 32.
20
William R. Eberly, ed.,50.
21
Ibid.

7
God has commanded and fails in just this one area to be obedient? The father’s response

comes from James 2:10. 22 Baptism was not just a symbol for Mack but was rooted in

being obedient as a believer. Mack makes the point that there are numerous places in

scripture where God held people accountable for being disobedient in just one area but

obedient in all other areas of their life.23

Mack also had to justify the fact that baptism could be administered upon ones

confession of faith. This was contrary to the Dutch Mennonites that required one to show

some outward signs that there was indeed a change in their life. Mack would have sided

with the Swiss Brethren on this issue as is evident in a letter again by Hochmann to

Mennonites claiming that there was cause for alarm because many were being baptized

without the evidence of a changed life.24

Another core belief that Mack held to was that of the ban. The concept of church

discipline and more importantly church organization was a concept that Mack differed

considerably from his mentor Hochmann.25 Mack followed the scriptures in Matthew

18:15-17 very closely. He saw the organization of the church to be tantamount if one was

going to keep the ordinances of the Lord. There can be seen a mixture to how Mack

followed the concept of the ban or church discipline. He saw the ban as effective to keep

the church moving in obedience to the Lord. In many of the points of practice he followed

the Swiss Brethren but in the area of avoidance he departed from them. Mack took a more

strict position on avoidance than did the Swiss Brethren.26 Mack was a man of great

22
Ibid., 52
23
Ibid., 52-53
24
R Stoffer, “A Swiss Brethren (Anabaptist) Source For the Beliefs of Alexander Mack and the Early
Brethren,”, 32.
25
Homer Kent Sr., 39
26
Dale R Stoffer, “A Swiss Brethren (Anabaptist) Source For the Beliefs of Alexander Mack and the Early
Brethren,”, 34.

8
conviction and took a more congregational polity in church government than did the

Dutch Mennonites and their leader Menno Simons. Mack saw that the church governance

was in the people that made up the church rather than just in the Bishop. It is in these areas

that Mack had the most impact upon the Brethren Church. In the next section, the history

and beliefs of the Brethren Church will be explored.

Brief History of the Brethren Church

The largest existing group of the Schwarzenau Brethren is today known as the Church of

the Brethren. In 1882 there was a contention over the progressives that wanted to emphasize

education, evangelism, and different dress and the more conservative group that wanted to keep

things the way they were. The dis-fellowshipping of Henry Holsinger in 1882 led to the

formation of the Brethren Church and the Church of the Brethren.27 The birth of this new

denomination was at times extremely difficult because it was obvious from the very beginning

that those leading did not want to define the church parameters.28 The emphasis was upon the

churches evangelism on the home front and international, educating the ministers, education in

general and the ordination of women. The Brethren Church between 1913 and 1920 fell, as many

denominations did, into the controversy of fundamentalism vs. liberalism debates. The church

took a fundamental viewpoint and many liberals in the church left to find congregations more

suited to their beliefs. This, however, did not stop another division from happening. Ashland

College was the source of controversy when some wanted to see Ashland College become a

Bible College and others wanted to keep it liberal arts accreditedation. This eventually, in 1939,

divided the church into the Brethren Church and the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.29

27
For more detailed explanation on the circumstances that surrounded the schism see Dale R. Stoffer,
Background and Development, chapters 9-10.
28
Ibid., 165.
29
For further on this schism see Dale R. Stoffer, Background and Development, chapter 15.

9
Mack’s Influence on the Brethren Church

When one looks at the Brethren Church today it is not hard to see that Alexander Mack

had influence on how the church operates. Some of the key points that were previously looked at

will be examined here and compared to Mack’s viewpoint. In the area of the importance of

scripture it can be said that the Brethren Church holds a high view of the scriptures. The Church

practices a three-fold communion based upon the Gospel of John. The Church has searched the

scriptures and found Biblical basis for doing this practice. The Church adopted the single mode

of feet washing and left the contents of the love feast to individual congregations to decide.

Mack’s influence can be seen on the importance of searching out the scriptures to determine the

practices of the church. Today the Brethren Church recognizes that the concept of Communion

that is practiced in the Church takes on many forms. It is here that Mack would probably

disagree with the practice that one can observe the foot washing ceremony and not be a

participant.

One of the biggest areas that Alexander Mack has had an impact on the Brethren Church

would be in the area of baptism. The Brethren Church today practices believer’s baptism, a core

component of Mack as can be seen in his writings seen earlier. It is also performed by triune

immersion. In this area the Church took its pattern from Alexander Mack and developed an

ordinance that is practiced throughout the church today. Criteria for baptism are that one must

make a public confession of faith and then they are qualified to be baptized. There are some

minor changes that the Brethren Church made to their practice that were practiced by the Church

of the Brethren. The penitent believer is merely asked questions concerning his faith in Christ,

his commitment to the Scriptures, and his surrender to the Lord’s service at the time of baptism.30

It is not hard to see that Mack had influence upon the Church in regards to baptism.
30
Dale R. Stoffer, Background and Development, 169.

10
 One area that the Brethren Church has seemed to depart from Mack on is in the area of

the ban. The ban is not practiced that much in the Brethren Church today. This came as a result

of becoming less exclusive and the Church not being seen as the sole “ark of salvation”.31 It is

here that this researcher believes that the Brethren Church and the Church overall have probably

lost some perspective. Mack saw that the tool of using the ban was to bring a wayward brother

back into the fold. This researcher believes that properly used to restore a brother to fellowship

as the goal; the use of church discipline can be effective.

Another area that this researcher believes that Mack would not have agreed with the

Brethren Church is in the schisms that have occurred. It seems that the concept of brotherly love

and the idea of working out differences has been a problem throughout Church history. Mack

would probably not be pleased to find out that his movement has created four schisms. It has

drawn lines where there did not need to be lines. It has hindered the work that God has given the

Church to do.32 God, however, has made great things come from the schisms and His work is still

being done but it is not part of his plan to have the splits. There have been efforts on both sides

of the Brethren and Church of the Brethren split to make amends.33 The celebration of the 300th

anniversary of the Brethren movement saw for the first time since the split the two join for their

annual conference. This researcher was there to witness this historic moment in Richmond, VA.

It also marked a serious departure and a rift that has been brewing under the surface in the

Church of the Brethren for years, the issue of homosexuality. Like many other denominations the

Church of the Brethren in some parts of the country are making great strides to become more

inclusive. At this conference this was witnessed at the final morning’s message where this issue

came up and was applauded by many as a direction that the church should go. Alexander Mack
31
Ibid. 160.
32
Richard M Miller, “If the Founder Came Back,” Brethren Life and Thought 3, no. 3 (1958): 60.
33
For further on these developments see Dale R Stoffer, “The Eccumenical Dance of the Church of the
Brethren and the Brethren Church,” Brethren Life and Thought 53, no. 4 (2008): 51-56.

11
would not agree, this researcher is sure, and so for this researcher the issue is plain. This

researcher stands upon the scriptures and sides with God. This is one time that Mack would

probably say it is time to separate. This researcher prays that people will choose God over the

world and prays for the day the Church will finally be home.

Conclusion

Alexander Mack was a man of great conviction and a man of principles. His beliefs had a

great impact upon all the denominations that call themselves Brethren. His influence upon the

Brethren Church has been looked at and one can clearly see Alexander Mack and his beliefs are

seen in that church today. There are areas that Mack would definitely not agree with the direction

that the church took. He as discussed earlier would not have been happy about the schisms that

have occurred in the church. It is this researcher’s opinion, though, that had it not been for

Alexander Mack there would be no Brethren Church. The influence of this one man that decided

to search the scriptures and then act upon those convictions forever shaped the Brethren Church.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bailey, Keith M. They Counted the Cost. Nappanee: Dunkard Brethren Church
Board of Publication, 2009.

Eberly, William R. The Complete Writings of Alexander Mack. Winona Lake: BMH
Books, 1991.

Estep, William R. The Anabaptist Story: An Introdusction to Sixteenth-Century

Anabaptism. Grand Rapids: William B Eerdmans Publiching Company, 1996.

12
 Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day. New

York: Harper Collins, 1985

Homer A. Kent, Sr. "The Life and Work of Alexander Mack." Brethren Life and
Thought, 1974: 37-44.

Marburger, Otto. Schwarzenau 1708-2008. Germany: 2008 Brethren World Assembly,

2008.

Meier, Marcus. The Origin of the Schwarzenau Brethren. Philadelphia: Brethren

Encyclopedia Company, 2008.

Miller, Richard N. "If the Founder Came Back." Brethren Life and Thought, 1958: 60-70.

Stoffer, Dale R. "A Swiss Brethren (Anabaptist) Source for the Beliefs of Alexander
Mack and the Early Brethren." Brethren Life and Thought, 2003: 29-38.

— Background and Development of Brethren Doctrines 1650-1987. Philadelphia:

Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc, 1989.

"How the Closed Brethren Became Open." Brethren Life and Thought, 2008: 57-64.

"The Ecumenical Dance of the Church of the Brethren and The Brethren Church."
Brethren Life and Thought, 2008: 51-56.

" The Life and Thought of Gottfried Arnold." Brethren Life and Thought, 1981: 135-

151.

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