Oval Forum

Articles

Our desire is that these resources will point you to the Way, help you know Truth and how it is applied in life.

  • Martyrs Mirror Dirk Willems

    Anabaptism: A Primer

    Introduction What is Anabaptism? Why does Anabaptism matter? This article is an attempt to briefly answer those two questions. One of the most defining moments in church history occurred in 1523 in Zürich, Switzerland. The religious atmosphere in Western Europe throughout the medieval period was predominantly Roman Catholic, but change…

    Daniel J. Yoder

    January 23, 2026  ·  12 min read

  • Wooden scaffolding around restored church building

    The Hidden Framework Reshaping Anabaptist Faith: How Good Intentions and Scholarly Appeals Are Quietly Redefining the Gospel

    Conservative Anabaptist communities today face tremendous pressure from progressive theology. As mainline Mennonite conferences have embraced positions incompatible with Scripture, faithful believers have sought solid ground. Many have turned to historical scholarship, early church fathers, contemporary scholars, seeking frameworks to defend biblical faith against liberal drift. When progressives dismiss biblical…

    Edmund Martin

    January 23, 2026  ·  18 min read

  • Open Bible on black tabletop with palm tree background

    Learning Simplicity from Jesus

    I was born into an Anabaptist home, but I am not an Anabaptist solely because of that. I do, however, consider it very influential and a blessing. But, I am a happy Anabaptist! I believe conservative Anabaptism, although filled with imperfect people, has strengths as a system of Biblical interpretation…

    Clyde Byler

    December 18, 2025  ·  9 min read

  • Open Bible beside a notebook titled ‘Priorities’ with a map, camera, passport, and coffee on a wooden desk.

    A Bucket List Mentality

    So, what do you have on your bucket list? You know, that list of things that you “just have to do” before you “kick the bucket.” There are so many places to go, people to meet, and things to do! A quick Google search of “favorite places to go” reveals…

    Martin Layman

    December 18, 2025  ·  7 min read

  • Elderly hand holding a grapevine with two clusters of ripening grapes in warm sunlight.

    A Fruitful Retirement

    Charles Simeon was the pastor of Trinity Church, Cambridge, in the late 1700s. In 1807, after serving for 25 years, his health suddenly deteriorated. He was only 47 years old. His condition necessitated a leave of absence from the ministry. This debilitating health condition lasted almost 13 years, but it…

    J. Mark Horst

    December 18, 2025  ·  8 min read

  • Silhouette of a man standing indoors looking toward soft morning light through a window.

    Body Shame

    Almost everyone experiences some form of body shame during their lifetime. Body shame comes from negative judgment either from others or from oneself when he fails to meet his own standard. The person then feels exposed because of his differences which leads to distancing from others and God because he…

    Darl Lee

    November 10, 2025  ·  16 min read

  • Aleppo codex bound manuscript hebrew bible

    Why the Bible Needs to be in the Common Language

    God the creator calls mankind to follow Him. He transcends the creator-creature gap by speaking to His people through prophets, apostles, and His son. This means God wants to be heard and obeyed. Since God’s words are his primary way of communicating to humanity and they have been written down,…

    Darl Lee

    August 15, 2025  ·  12 min read

  • Man jumping ledge

    Towards a Theology of Risk

    As the global body of Christ takes the gospel into security-challenged environments, its members face significant risks. In response, some elevate risk as a spiritual value, flirting with recklessness; others shun risk, drifting towards a fear-driven paralysis. This article attempts to promote a balanced stewardship, which neither shuns risk nor…

    Josh Martin

    August 15, 2025  ·  9 min read

  • Suffering man Job, praying to God

    A Biblical Perspective on Suffering

    When one of our children was born, a quietness settled into the room as the expected cry of a child experiencing their first breath did not happen. There was not a lot of talking, but there was quick, quiet work by the nurses’ expert hands, along with the arrival of…

    Edmund Martin

    August 15, 2025  ·  10 min read

  • Man's hand putting card box with slot

    Instructions for Voting in November

    Voting in United States elections ideally involves far more than simply choosing “Candidate A” or “Candidate B” when asked for your opinion. To make your vote count, follow the instructions below. Although many more elected positions are to be filled than the President of the United States, these instructions will…

    Nathan Zook

    September 1, 2024  ·  8 min read

  • Close up colorful flags on map

    Anabaptist Vision for Today

    Historically, Anabaptists have been given two labels. During the Reformation our spiritual ancestors were called “the radicals.” They were a pro-active group on the cutting edge of a determined effort to bring the church back to her biblical foundation in Acts. They initiated discussion, evangelism, and took Christ’s command to…

    Val Yoder

    March 1, 2024  ·  6 min read

  • Grace truth scales

    Grace and Truth vs. Grace or Truth

    Daddy cuddles three-year old Susie after he applies discipline. Farmer Brown chases the neighbor’s cows out of his corn field after alerting Neighbor Joe as to where his cows had been and completes the job by repairing and strengthening the fence. Jesus graciously told the woman taken in adultery, “Go…

    Chester Weaver

    December 23, 2021  ·  5 min read