A Hero Dies

Asperen, Holland, 16 May 1569--Four hundred forty-two years ago on this day religious and civil authorities in Holland put to death a man who demonstrated his love for God by willingly saving another man’s life at the cost of his own.

Dirk Willems was born in Asperen, Netherlands. As a young man Dirk joined the Anabaptist movement and was rebaptized upon the confession of his faith. In that time much of the Netherlands was ruled by Spain. The King of Spain had commissioned the Duke of Alva (also known as “the iron duke”) as his vice-regent in the Netherlands. Ordered by the king to eliminate Protestantism—and especially Anabaptism—from these regions, the duke implemented very harsh measures to impose the Spanish Catholic king’s will.

Despite the dangers involved with his choice, Dirk persisted in his Anabaptist convictions. He chose to follow after Jesus. He met regularly for Bible study and prayer with other Anabaptists. He even held prayer meetings in his own home.

Late in the winter of 1569 the civil authorities discovered and arrested Dirk. They threw him into prison in Asperen, where he awaited trial—and almost certain death. As the days in prison passed, Dirk seized upon a sudden opportunity to slip out of prison and escape. As Dirk fled, a ‘thief-catcher’ saw him and gave chase, intent on catching the fugitive and returning him to prison. Dirk ran hard, and tried to escape across a frozen pond. The thief-catcher followed Dirk but because he was heavier than Dirk (and heavily armed) he broke through the ice. He began to thrash about in the cold water and call out for help.

Dirk, who had almost crossed the pond and was about to make good his escape, turned around and saw the man who was in danger of drowning. Hesitating for only a moment, Dirk ran back to the distressed man, extended his hand, pulled him out of the icy water, and dragged him to the shore and out of danger. The thief-catcher offered to let Dirk escape, but one of the city’s burgomasters, who stood among the onlookers at the edge of the water, urgently reminded the thief-catcher of his duty, and ordered that Dirk be arrested and re-imprisoned, this time in a much more secure place.

While in prison, Dirk was tortured by the authorities, who tried to get him to recant his faith. But Dirk stood firm. He was therefore tried, found to be “persisting obstinately in his opinion,” and condemned to be bound to a stake and burned to death.

Thus, on 16 May 1569 this good man was led to a place outside the city limits of Asperen. Here he was bound to a stake; wood was piled about him and set alight. A contrary breeze blew the fire about, so that Dirk Willems bravely suffered a protracted and agonizing death, standing in the fire for a long time and crying out repeatedly, “O my Lord, my God.” The bailiff who was responsible for the execution was so filled with remorse that this good man was caused so much suffering, that he ordered the executioner to “dispatch this man with a quick death.” How this was done is not recorded.

Dirk’s story is both terrible and triumphant. Terrible because it tells of the evil that people willingly commit in the name of God, triumphant because Dirk’s death is, in a way, like Christ’s own—a willing sacrifice made to save another.

The story of Dirk Willems is one that has inspired many generations of Anabaptists, as well as others who believe that each person should have the freedom to follow his or her own conscience. In our own time, when we make dubious heroes of every pop celebrity and sports star—when we glorify what is trivial and trivialize what is glorious—we need to remind ourselves of true heroes. We need to recall people like Dirk Willems who for the love of God willingly gave up their lives to follow after Jesus.

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I wrote this story on Monday 16 May 2011, but did not get it posted until today. NK

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Telling Stories

We are very excited to present Telling Stories—an event that celebrates the Mennonite Narrative in letters, poetry, short stories and film, on April 1 and 2, at the House of James Bookstore.

Of all the many traits that characterize us as humans, one of the most important is our love of good stories—either telling or hearing them. A good story can be a great means for transmitting truth, passing along our culture, celebrating our heroes, or simply passing time together in a congenial way.

Among the Mennonites there has always been an interest in telling and preserving stories. Books like The Martyrs’ Mirror relate the tales of the ordinary men and women who willingly died for their Anabaptist beliefs. Their stories are woven with the great themes of love and loyalty, self-sacrifice and extraordinary courage.

For many of us who grew up during the end of the twentieth century, our grandparents’ stories of sudden and harried flight from the USSR became the backdrop of our own lives. I vividly recall the stories that my grandfather told us. Some were terribly sad, as he told of family and friends who died tragically at the hands of the Bolsheviks. Other stories were full of suspense and adventure, and helped me to see my grandfather as the brave, stalwart young preacher that he’d been. Still other stories that Opa told were very funny, and he recalled them with much laughter and happiness—and since he was not a vain man, he often told these stories on himself.

Telling Stories will feature the works of several Mennonite writers, poets and storytellers from the Fraser Valley. Each evening will vary somewhat from the other, with writers telling different stories in different ways. The published works of the writers will be available for perusing and purchasing. To add to the event, some musicians will present a selection of wonderful songs from the Mennonite past.

This is a free event, open to the public, and you are invited to attend. Come, enjoy some stories, music and a cup of coffee—sorry, Prips will not be served.