Religious liberty and its cognates, religious toleration and separation of church and
state, are fundamental in the development of Western nations. However, in Eastern
Europe, the principles and practices of religious liberty evolved much later. It was first in
the missionary context that advocates of religious liberty met the obstacles of civil authorities and the historical state churches in Eastern Europe.
The heart of this study will be the examination of the impact of Johann Gerhard Oncken and his missionary cohorts, who introduced religious liberty to Eastern Europe. Of special importance will be a theological analysis of Oncken’s ideas (Paradigm) on religious liberty, and the church’s relationship to the civil order, with special application to the eastern section of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire – the Romanian Principalities (Transylvania, Walachia, Moldova), and Hungary.
The significance of this study is threefold. First, religious liberty is a fundamental
right of the ecclesial community and of every human being. Thus, to understand it in
the context of Eastern Europe is a new and important contribution. Second, this study will
demonstrate that there were theological arguments used by Baptists (and earlier by
Radical Reformers) that contributed to the formulation, expression, and preservation of
religious liberty. These theological premises draw heavily upon Scripture, as well as
both English and North American theological experience and statements of faith.
Third, this study will demonstrate that Baptists drew upon various sources of
libertarian literature as they entered Eastern Europe. German Baptist missionaries,
starting with Johann G. Oncken, transplanted the principles of religious liberty to the
former countries of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Special attention will be given to the implementation of the concept of religious
Liberty and the impact it had on the democratic process of several countries from Eastern Europe.
For the purpose of this study the term “paradigm” (gr. paradeigma, from paradeiknynai) was selected in order to explain the theological framework brought together by experiments and unique contributions of Johann Gerhard Oncken, ‘the father of European continental Baptists.’
Oncken’s Paradigm included a variety of practices for the building of the Recte Kirche
and it was defined by his theological principles, his vision of the Christian Church,
his methods of evangelism, and his own style of Christian ministry. The entire paradigm is based on Oncken’s perception of the Scriptures. Also, he uses other sources like the Second London Confession of Faith, the New Hampshire Confession of 1833, several evident Calvinist and Lutheran theological principles, as well as pietistic conceptions of Christian life and thought.
Oncken promoted his ideas about religious freedom across continental
Europe and helped the Baptist churches to offer an alternative to religious persecution and intolerance. He endured strong opposition during his journeys throughout Europe, but he
was able to develop and promote the principle of religious liberty, as a right of the
citizens of every country, without regard to religious orientation or political leadership.