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Series Preface:
The C. Henry Smith Series
Anabaptists and
Postmodernity
C. Henry Smith began teaching at Goshen
College, 1903-1913, then taught history at Bluffton
College, 1913-1948, except for 1922-1923 at Bethel
College. The first Mennonite in North America to earn a
Ph.D. and remain in the Mennonite church, Smith was the
premier North American Mennonite historian of his era. He
wrote many articles for Mennonite periodicals and was a
central figure in planning the Mennonite Encyclopedia. He
had published five major works over thirty-five years,
more full-length works than any other Mennonite historian
of his time. Also a church leader, Smith was on the
publication board of the General Conference Mennonite
Church and the Peace Committee of Middle District.
Producing the C. Henry Smith Series
(CHS) with cosponsorship of the Mennonite Historical
Society is one dimension of the service Bluffton College
seeks to provide the Mennonite Church as well as
Anabaptists at large. Smith’s historical expertise,
staunch commitment to pacifism and nonresistance,
commitment to the church, and wide-ranging interests
beyond the discipline of history all represent the values
and interests that characterize the series bearing his
name. Naming the series for an individual of multiple
interests and talents signals a vision to publish works
that use a variety of disciplines and modes of inquiry to
serve Anabaptist and Mennonite churches.
Works in the CHS Series reflect the
assumption that a peace church worldview holds potential
to shape discussion of any issue. These books present no
consensus view, however, since none exists. Instead, they
address aspects of Anabaptist and Mennonite studies
pertinent to the future of these churches. Precisely that
future dimension compels CHS publication.
Anabaptists and
Postmodernity orders:
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