THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOTERIOLOGY AND ECCLESIOLOGY IN SIXTEENTH-CENTURY EVANGELICAL ANABAPTISM

Purpose. The sixteenth-century Anabaptists were not distinguished for their theological formulations. They did, however, offer the theological world valuable insights into the doctrines of salvation and the church. These doctrines held a prominent place in Anabaptist thought. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the relationship of these doctrines as they were believed and practiced by Anabaptists of the sixteenth century and to investigate the possible impact of this relationship on sixteenth-century Anabaptism.;This dissertation is divided into six chapters. Chapters one and six constitute the introduction and conclusion, respectively. Chapter two provides a discussion of the soteriology and ecclesiology of Michael Sattler. In chapter three the writer discusses Pilgram Marpeck's doctrines of salvation and the church. Chapter four examines the soteriology and ecclesiology of Menno Simons. In the fifth chapter the soteriology and ecclesiology of Peter Riedemann are studied. In chapters two, three, four, and five, these soteriological themes are considered: the need, the provision, the nature, and the effects. The church is discussed in these chapters according to these aspects of the doctrine: the nature, the ordinances, and the mission.;Conclusions. Soteriology and ecclesiology were related in Evangelical Anabaptism at five major points. One, soteriology was foundational for their ecclesiology. Two, in Evangelical Anabaptist thought the church was the arena for the demonstration of salvation. Three, the doctrine of salvation was determinative for the nature of the church. Four, the church ordinances pictured salvation. Five, witness was seen as an individual and a corporate responsibility.;The relationship of soteriology and ecclesiology was influential in Evangelical Anabaptist thought. The existence and success of the movement depended on this relationship.;Methodology. Four streams of Evangelical Anabaptism are investigated in this dissertation: Swiss Brethren, South German Brethren, Mennonites, and Hutterites. In each stream key leaders helped to define the movement in their particular geographical area. The men in this study were chosen because of their identification with their respective movements and because of the availability of their writings. Swiss Anabaptism is represented by Michael Sattler. South German Anabaptism is portrayed by Pilgram Marpeck. Menno Simons represents the Mennonites. The Hutterite leader to be studied is Peter Riedemann.