Hans Reist
Encyclopedia
Hans Reist was an elder of the Swiss Brethren
, an Anabaptist group.
Nothing is known of Reist's background or birthplace. He was probably from the Sumiswald
region of Emmental
in the Canton of Berne
. There were numerous Anabaptist
s in this area during the 17th century.
Reist was a gifted preacher and had a great influence among his followers in Switzerland, Alsace
and Southern Germany. He is noted for leading a group that opposed Jacob Amman
. In July or August 1693, a meeting of all Swiss Brethren elders was called to explain their differing beliefs. Hans Reist did not attend the meeting in spite of multiple requests, but explained in writing why he rejected the views of Jacob Amman. No resolution to the differences was found, and the Swiss Brethren separated into the Amish
(who used hook-and-eye fasteners) and the followers of Reist (who used buttons). Reist succeeded in convincing a large portion of the region's Anabaptists of his views. They formed the basis of today's Swiss Mennonite Conference
and numerous groups of Mennonites in North America.
The date and place of Reist's death are unknown. Hans Reist left no theological writings and has been nearly forgotten, in spite of his significance in Mennonite history.
Swiss Brethren
The Swiss Brethren are a branch of Anabaptism that started in Zürich, spread to nearby cities and towns, and then was exported to neighboring countries...
, an Anabaptist group.
Nothing is known of Reist's background or birthplace. He was probably from the Sumiswald
Sumiswald
Sumiswald is a municipality in the district of the Emmental administrative district in the canton of Bern, Switzerland.-Geography:Sumiswald has an area, , of . Of this area, or 47.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 46.3% is forested...
region of Emmental
Emmental
For the cheese made in the region, see Emmental .The Emmental is a region in west central Switzerland, forming part of the canton of Bern. It is a hilly landscape comprising the basins of the Emme and Ilfis rivers. The region is mostly devoted to farming, particularly dairy farming...
in the Canton of Berne
Canton of Berne
The Canton of Bern is the second largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it borders the Canton of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Canton of Fribourg and Vaud. To the south...
. There were numerous Anabaptist
Anabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
s in this area during the 17th century.
Reist was a gifted preacher and had a great influence among his followers in Switzerland, Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
and Southern Germany. He is noted for leading a group that opposed Jacob Amman
Jacob Amman
Jakob Ammann , was an Anabaptist leader and namesake of the Amish religious movement.-Birth and death:...
. In July or August 1693, a meeting of all Swiss Brethren elders was called to explain their differing beliefs. Hans Reist did not attend the meeting in spite of multiple requests, but explained in writing why he rejected the views of Jacob Amman. No resolution to the differences was found, and the Swiss Brethren separated into the Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
(who used hook-and-eye fasteners) and the followers of Reist (who used buttons). Reist succeeded in convincing a large portion of the region's Anabaptists of his views. They formed the basis of today's Swiss Mennonite Conference
Swiss Mennonite Conference
The Swiss Mennonite Conference is an Anabaptist Christian body in Switzerland....
and numerous groups of Mennonites in North America.
The date and place of Reist's death are unknown. Hans Reist left no theological writings and has been nearly forgotten, in spite of his significance in Mennonite history.
Further reading
- McGrath, William Christian Discipline: How and Why the Anabaptists Made Church Standards. Amish Mennonite Publications.