New Birth

Written in 1537 during the tumultuous early years of the Radical Reformation, Menno Simons' treatise on the new birth emerged from his pastoral concern for Anabaptist communities facing persecution and theological attack. As a former Catholic priest who had joined the Anabaptist movement just two years earlier, Simons felt compelled to articulate a clear understanding of spiritual regeneration that would distinguish true Christian conversion from the nominal Christianity he saw around him. The work represents one of his earliest systematic theological statements after assuming leadership among the scattered Anabaptist groups of the Low Countries.

Simons argues that genuine conversion involves a radical transformation of human nature through divine grace, not merely external religious observance or infant baptism. He contends that the new birth is both a definitive moment of regeneration and an ongoing process of sanctification that produces visible fruit in the believer's life. The treatise emphasizes that this spiritual rebirth necessarily leads to a life of discipleship marked by nonviolence, simplicity, and separation from worldly corruption. Simons grounds his argument in extensive biblical exegesis, particularly drawing on Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, while challenging both Catholic sacramentalism and emerging Protestant formalism. He insists that true faith manifests itself in ethical transformation and costly discipleship, making regeneration demonstrable through changed behavior and commitment to Christ's teachings.

The New Birth became foundational to Anabaptist theology and helped establish the theological framework that would influence Mennonite, Amish, and Brethren traditions for centuries. Its emphasis on radical discipleship and the visible fruit of conversion continues to challenge comfortable Christianity and nominal faith. This treatise should be read by those interested in Reformation-era debates about the nature of conversion, students of Anabaptist theology, and Christians seeking to understand the relationship between faith and discipleship. It may prove challenging for readers uncomfortable with its stark demands for Christian faithfulness or its critique of conventional religious practice.