Mennonites and Media: Mentioned in It Maligned by It and Makers of It

Anabaptists and Mennonites have often been the subject of media scrutiny: sometimes admired at other times maligned. Luther called them schwarmar a German word meaning fanatics that alludes to a swarm of bees. In contrast American independent film producer John Sayles drew inspiration from Mennonite conscientious objectors for his 1987 award-winning film Matewan. Voltaires Candide features a virtuous Anabaptist. Oscar Wildes play The Importance of Being Earnest contains an Anabaptist reference. An Anabaptist chaplain is central to Joseph Hellers antiwar classic Catch-22. President Lincoln and General Stonewall Jackson both had something to say about Mennonites. Garrison Keillor tells Mennonite jokes. These are just a few of the dozens of fascinating media references dating from the early 1500s through the present which are chronicled and analyzed here. Mennonites although often considered media-shy have in fact used media to great advantage in shaping their faith and identity. Beginning with the Martyrs Mirror this book examines the writings of Mennonite authors John Howard Yoder Donald Kraybill Rudy Wiebe Rhoda Janzen and Malcolm Gladwell. Citing books film art theater and Ngram the online culturomic tool developed by Harvard University and Google the author demonstrates that Mennonites punch above their weight class in the media and especially in print. Mennonites and Media is a treasure trove of information about how Mennonites have been portrayed in various media and their involvement in portraying themselves and their beliefs. More than providing information helpful as that is Carpenter also offers analysis and notes the importance of media for doing mission. This is a resource I will refer to often as I explore the relationship of Mennonites and media in my own work. --Gordon Houser Associate Editor of The Mennonite Newton KS A cross between history lesson and anthology Mennonites and Media is a wildly interesting thought-provoking expansive resource. Even born-and-bred Mennonites will gain new insights on how culture faith and heritage intersect. --Rachel S. Gerber author of Ordinary Miracles Steven Carpenter is Director of Development and Church Relations for MennoMedia the publishing arm of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. For eight years he penned Carpenters Line a regular column in the former Mennonite Weekly Review. He is a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy a retired military officer and a first-generation Mennonite. In 2011 he completed an MAR at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He and his wife Christine live in Harrisonburg VA.