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Yaacov Oved New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1996. 324 pp. $39.95. EHERHARD AND EMILY ARNOLD, typically idealistic German youth, became disillusioned by the direction German religion and society were taking after [...]

Brenda Laurel. Utopian Entrepreneur. Cambridge and London: MIT Press, 2001.113 pp. $14..95. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL JUGGERNAUT appears to be rapidly increasing its hold on the American psyche, as evidenced by the [...]

Tracy Elaine K'Meyer. Interracialism and Christian Community in the Postwar South: The Story of Koinonia Farm. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 1997. i-x + 236 pp. $35.00. It might be [...]

The article discusses sociological research in the Mennonite Church since World War II and the effect of modernization on Mennonite identity in North America. The Church's focus on empirical research, studies on the Church Membership Profile, and the influence of historian Melvin Gingerich at the Mennonite Research Foundation in Indiana are discussed. Books such as "The Mennonite Mosaic: Identity and Modernization" by Howard Kauffman and Leo Driedger and "Road Signs for the Journey: A Profile of Mennonite Church USA" by Conrad Kanagy are also discussed.

The article explores the link between Anabaptist Mennonite movement and fundamentalism. It states that denominational promotional activities focus on spreading the good news since evangelism has been one of the dominant themes of the movement. It also notes that the term missional became the overarching mantra during the merger of the General Conference Mennonite Church and the Mennonite Church. The article further argues that the influence of Fundamentalism's tendencies for detection and schism is one of the reasons why so many individuals and groups are leaving the Mennonite fold.

The article focuses on the sociology of the Mennonites, members of an Anabaptist movement noted for its simplicity of life in the Netherlands. Sociological studies of the Mennonites reflect the paradigms which dominate in sociology. It notes that the major works being reviewed reveal different perspectives used in the research which aims on Mennonite scholars who are concerned with their own tradition and reflect the dominant emphases of the schools. It reflects a philosophical and methodological concern on the effectiveness of statistical research wherein most of the researchers have intuitively regard that to study the Mennonite community, must begin with the understanding the whole concept.

The article discusses the influences affecting the identity crisis among Mennonites in Russia. The author argues that Mennonites were deeply influenced by a number of traditions such as Anabaptism, Pietism, Nationalism and Fundamentalism. In addition, the author explores several issues which indicate that Mennonites are facing identity crisis including the presence of a number of Mennonite groups who are debating whether they are Mennonites or Christians, as well as the sturdy Mennonite families who are leaving the Mennonite faith community.

An obituary for Mennonite sociology professor Paul Peachey is presented.