Mennonite Brethren can be found in “the four corners” of the earth — from Canada to Japan to DR Congo to Paraguay. These diverse conferences work together under the International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB). Interim executive secretary of ICOMB David Wiebe presented a statement at study conference on behalf of our international “brethren”:

“I believe the international MB community would caution North Americans against naming one model as the theologically driving or unifying model, when that seems to be simply a cultural preference. I polled several leaders around the world: in their responses, there is clear acknowledgement of a variety of atonement models and their effectiveness. For illustration let me quote a few answers when I asked if there is a push toward one model or another.
The Paraguayan leaders, who have two conferences said:

We are not sure whether we can speak of one preferred image that is being used and has doctrinal status over the others. In the context of the German conference, the importance of forgiveness and taking away the guilt is valued very much. In the Latin American, context the image of victory over powers, the shedding of blood (Catholic background), is valued very much.

Takashe Manabe, theological and pastoral leader of the Japan conference for decades said,

Our biblical understanding of atonement is primarily the substitutional death of Jesus Christ, though secondarily, the cross of Jesus Christ is the victory over Satan and the powers of the evil spirits. In Japan, both aspects are important. Many Japanese people have been struggling with the evilness of mind and heart of the human beings. They also look forward to victorious living, where both body and mind are in good condition. We believe Jesus is willing to forgive our sins and this is the true foundation of our healthy living, and he is willing to supply all our physical and spiritual needs.

Arthur Duck from Brazil said,

I believe what is most effective today is the appeal to Jesus’ model (moral influence) instead of his teaching or something else. It is not effective in terms of numbers, but effective in transforming lives.

“What I read from these responses is that whether one or the other preference is on the table, they are not concerned with saying one image or another is ontologically of greater import. That push seems to be our North American cultural agenda – not a theological necessity. Rather, the elevation of one or another model seems to be missionally driven – that is, to use those images which best proclaim the gospel within the cultural context.

To stand with our larger family seems to imply that we simply focus on Christ as our author of salvation, and try to learn as much as we can about every aspect of his work, so that we may become better disciples and evangelists, without pushing one atonement model to theological or ontological prominence.”—David Wiebe