What It Means to Be Radical

There are many definitions of radical these days. The 20th Believers Church Conference, which took place June 1-4, 2025, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, asked what it means to be radically renewed. At its roots was a celebration of 500 years of Anabaptists. However, the conference did not look back, but mainly forward. The subtitle of the conference was “Witnessing to a new heaven and a new earth”. Participants of the conference came from all over the world, representing mainly Mennonite and Baptist movements, gathering as a colourful and friendly family of believers.  

Alan Donaldson, EBF general secretary, wrote: “The Believers Church conference allowed us to explore our understanding of the church and God’s mission with Mennonites and Anabaptists. It is challenging to compare our present circumstances to the opposition faced by our forefathers 500 years ago, but we were reminded that we are called to live as a prophetic people in a time of evil, with no guarantee of fruitfulness. The conference focused on our understanding of the church as a radical voice against the principalities and systemic powers in modern society. We were reminded of the imperative to combat violence against individuals, communities, and the environment. This was communicated as a distinct responsibility, as we acknowledged that this violence has frequently emerged from Christian colonialism.” 

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The EBF Theology and Education Commission was invited to take part in the conference, hosting one parallel session. We organised the discussion around the hot topic of radical reformation theology. One of the key themes explored, which covered many others, was inclusion. Radical inclusion was also seen in the choice of plenary speakers of the conference – there were no white male plenary presenters. Many topics, both in plenary and parallel sessions, had the word “radical” in them. Topics like witness, hospitality, inter-religious dialogue, church planting and missions, solidarity, violence, and pacifism were just some examples. Maybe the most radical concept voiced was “soteriological narcissism”, explained by Sarah Augustine. Sarah said, “There is no such thing as individual salvation.” Meaning that the whole of Creation, which we are all part of, is being renewed. 

The highlight of the program was an evening with Yale University professor Willie James Jennings. He spoke of hope in turbulent times and gave an open lecture at Vrije Universiteit, to commemorate 60 years since the visit of Martin Luther King Jr., when he became the honorary doctor of the University. “Hope is a discipline,” said Dr Jennings. “Hope can seem like a weak knowledge. But in this hope there is great strength,” he continued. At the last morning plenary Gabriel Stevens, a Nigerian from Norway, continued with the topic of hope, saying, “Hope is rebellion and love is a strategy.” Radical love brings hope. 

Toivo Pilli, Estonian historian and faculty member of IBTSC, shared his impressions: "It was an international experience of believers discussing matters of hope and witness in the present-day societies. I was surprised to see the awareness of systemic evil and the need to stand against it, while personal aspects of belief were less emphasised. A thought-provoking event, well organised."

Helle Liht, another participant, added: “These kinds of conferences force me to think and test my own convictions, sometimes illuminating blind spots in my belief system that I have never reflected on, and helping me grow in understanding through conversations with many others. It was a very valuable experience!”

In a world that is full of all kinds of radicalism, we need to be radical in the best way. In Christ’s way. However, this cannot be done alone, and it must reach our communities and societies to follow the calling of a Christian radical witness. We do not build a new heaven and a new earth here before Christ returns, but we can make visible the signs of it: love, hope and worship of Christ, our Lord.