The Anabaptists, partly because of outside forces, gave priority to the proclamation and realization of the gospel in the community before they participated in shaping the world. Already Celsus blamed such an attitude for leaving "the government on earth for the most lawless and wildest barbarians" who neither respect the worship of God nor true wisdom among people. The accusation that Christian pacifism thrives on the fact that others take care of the dirty business of politics has a tradition!
