Authors: Donald B. Kraybill,Steven M. Nolt,David L. Weaver-Zercher
The Amish Way (31 page)
4
Keith Elliot Greenberg, “Amish Painter Tries to Blend the Best of Both Her Worlds,”
USA Today
, January 29, 1991.
Keith Elliot Greenberg, “Amish Painter Tries to Blend the Best of Both Her Worlds,”
USA Today
, January 29, 1991.
5
Nancy Fisher Outley, “From Amish to Professional and Back Again,” in
Perils of Professionalism
, ed. Donald B. Kraybill and Phyllis Pellman Good (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1982), 44, 45, 48.
Nancy Fisher Outley, “From Amish to Professional and Back Again,” in
Perils of Professionalism
, ed. Donald B. Kraybill and Phyllis Pellman Good (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1982), 44, 45, 48.
6
This story is adapted from Gertrude Enders Huntington, “Health Care,” in
The Amish and the State
, 2nd ed., ed. Donald B. Kraybill (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003), 167.
This story is adapted from Gertrude Enders Huntington, “Health Care,” in
The Amish and the State
, 2nd ed., ed. Donald B. Kraybill (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003), 167.
7
For an account of the accident, see Brett Hambright, “Amish Teacher Hit, Killed by Truck,”
Lancaster (PA) Intelligencer Journal
, February 23, 2007, A1.
For an account of the accident, see Brett Hambright, “Amish Teacher Hit, Killed by Truck,”
Lancaster (PA) Intelligencer Journal
, February 23, 2007, A1.
8
John and Fannie King, “Homer City, PA,”
Die Botschaft
, March 12, 2007, 30.
John and Fannie King, “Homer City, PA,”
Die Botschaft
, March 12, 2007, 30.
9
Letter to Earl Wenger, March 14, 2007.
Letter to Earl Wenger, March 14, 2007.
10
Elmer Schwieder and Dorothy Schwieder,
A Peculiar People: Iowa’s Old Order Amish
(Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1975).
Elmer Schwieder and Dorothy Schwieder,
A Peculiar People: Iowa’s Old Order Amish
(Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1975).
11
Joseph Stoll, “Looking for Loopholes,”
Family Life
, July 2001, 7, 10.
Joseph Stoll, “Looking for Loopholes,”
Family Life
, July 2001, 7, 10.
1
The Complete Writings of Menno Simons
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1956), 198 (emphasis added).
The Complete Writings of Menno Simons
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1956), 198 (emphasis added).
2
Mary M. Miller, comp.,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, rev. ed. (Topeka, IN: Mary M. Miller, 2008).
Mary M. Miller, comp.,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, rev. ed. (Topeka, IN: Mary M. Miller, 2008).
3
For a summary of the larger Christian tradition, see Alister E. McGrath,
An Introduction to Christianity
(Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1997).
For a summary of the larger Christian tradition, see Alister E. McGrath,
An Introduction to Christianity
(Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1997).
4
M. Miller,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, 2. This quotation is borrowed or adapted from non-Amish sources.
M. Miller,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, 2. This quotation is borrowed or adapted from non-Amish sources.
5
See John H. Yoder, ed. and trans.,
The Schleitheim Confession
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1977), 12.
See John H. Yoder, ed. and trans.,
The Schleitheim Confession
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1977), 12.
6
1001 Questions and Answers on the Christian Life
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway Publishers, 1992), 121. This quotation is taken from James 4:4.
1001 Questions and Answers on the Christian Life
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway Publishers, 1992), 121. This quotation is taken from James 4:4.
7
The Complete Writings of Menno Simons
, 198 (emphasis added).
The Complete Writings of Menno Simons
, 198 (emphasis added).
8
Thieleman J. van Braght,
The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians,Who Baptized Only upon Confession of Faith and Who Suffered and Died for the Testimony of Jesus, Their Saviour, from the Time of Christ to the Year A.D. 1660
, rev. ed. (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1998).
Thieleman J. van Braght,
The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians,Who Baptized Only upon Confession of Faith and Who Suffered and Died for the Testimony of Jesus, Their Saviour, from the Time of Christ to the Year A.D. 1660
, rev. ed. (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1998).
9
Pathway Publishers, Aylmer, ON, issues a 1,004-page German edition of the book,
Der blutige Schauplatz, oder, Märtyrer-Spiegel der Taufgesinnten, oder, wehrlose Christen, die um des Zeugnisses Jesu, ihres Seligmaches, willen gelitten haben und getötet worden sind, von Christi Zeit an bis auf das Jahr 1660
.
Pathway Publishers, Aylmer, ON, issues a 1,004-page German edition of the book,
Der blutige Schauplatz, oder, Märtyrer-Spiegel der Taufgesinnten, oder, wehrlose Christen, die um des Zeugnisses Jesu, ihres Seligmaches, willen gelitten haben und getötet worden sind, von Christi Zeit an bis auf das Jahr 1660
.
10
Letter to David L.Weaver-Zercher, December 2009. The Amish-published German edition of
Martyrs Mirror
does not include the illustrations, but many Amish families own the English-language edition, which is illustrated.
Letter to David L.Weaver-Zercher, December 2009. The Amish-published German edition of
Martyrs Mirror
does not include the illustrations, but many Amish families own the English-language edition, which is illustrated.
11
John D. Roth, introduction to
Letters of the Amish Division: A Sourcebook
, 2nd ed. (Goshen, IN: Mennonite Historical Society, 2002), 12. For a general history of the Amish, see Steven M. Nolt,
A History of the Amish
, rev. ed. (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2003).
John D. Roth, introduction to
Letters of the Amish Division: A Sourcebook
, 2nd ed. (Goshen, IN: Mennonite Historical Society, 2002), 12. For a general history of the Amish, see Steven M. Nolt,
A History of the Amish
, rev. ed. (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2003).
12
The Dordrecht Confession is also used by Old Order Mennonite churches. It is available online at
http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/D674.html
. For a printed version, see John H. Leith, ed.,
Creeds of the Churches: A Reader in Christian Doctrine from the Bible to the Present
, 3rd ed. (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1982), 292-308. All quotations from the Dordrecht Confession in the text are from Amish minister Joseph Stoll’s translation in
In Meiner Jugend: A Devotional Reader in German and English
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway Publishers, 2000), 8-61.
The Dordrecht Confession is also used by Old Order Mennonite churches. It is available online at
http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/D674.html
. For a printed version, see John H. Leith, ed.,
Creeds of the Churches: A Reader in Christian Doctrine from the Bible to the Present
, 3rd ed. (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1982), 292-308. All quotations from the Dordrecht Confession in the text are from Amish minister Joseph Stoll’s translation in
In Meiner Jugend: A Devotional Reader in German and English
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway Publishers, 2000), 8-61.
13
Harold S. Bender,
The Anabaptist Vision
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1944), 22-31.
Harold S. Bender,
The Anabaptist Vision
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1944), 22-31.
14
Ausbund, Das ist: Etliche schone christlicher Lieder
(Lancaster, PA: Lancaster Press, 1984). (First edition in 1564.) A handful of Amish communities use one of two variations on the
Ausbund
rather than the
Ausbund
itself. These variants, which were compiled in the nineteenth century, consist largely of
Ausbund
hymns but include some non-
Ausbund
German hymns as well.
Ausbund, Das ist: Etliche schone christlicher Lieder
(Lancaster, PA: Lancaster Press, 1984). (First edition in 1564.) A handful of Amish communities use one of two variations on the
Ausbund
rather than the
Ausbund
itself. These variants, which were compiled in the nineteenth century, consist largely of
Ausbund
hymns but include some non-
Ausbund
German hymns as well.
15
“Song 34,” in
Songs of the Ausbund
(Millersburg, OH: Ohio Amish Library, 1998), 1:73-74. Apart from this volume,
Ausbund
hymns are rarely translated from the German, and they are virtually unknown to non-Amish Christians.
“Song 34,” in
Songs of the Ausbund
(Millersburg, OH: Ohio Amish Library, 1998), 1:73-74. Apart from this volume,
Ausbund
hymns are rarely translated from the German, and they are virtually unknown to non-Amish Christians.
16
Various editions of
Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht
[The Prayer Book for Earnest Christians] are used in different Amish communities. The Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have published this one:
Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht
(Lancaster County, PA: Amischen Gemeinden, 1996). For an English translation, see Leonard Gross, ed. and trans.,
Prayer Book for Earnest Christians
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1997). All
Christenpflicht
quotations used in the text are from
A Devoted Christian’s Prayer Book
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway Publishers, 1995), selected prayers that were translated into English by Amish minister Joseph Stoll.
Various editions of
Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht
[The Prayer Book for Earnest Christians] are used in different Amish communities. The Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have published this one:
Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht
(Lancaster County, PA: Amischen Gemeinden, 1996). For an English translation, see Leonard Gross, ed. and trans.,
Prayer Book for Earnest Christians
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1997). All
Christenpflicht
quotations used in the text are from
A Devoted Christian’s Prayer Book
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway Publishers, 1995), selected prayers that were translated into English by Amish minister Joseph Stoll.
17
Neu vermehrtes geistliches Lust Gärtlein frommer Seelen
[New Expanded Spiritual Pleasure Garden for Devout Souls] (Lancaster County, PA: Amischen Gemeinden, 2008).
Neu vermehrtes geistliches Lust Gärtlein frommer Seelen
[New Expanded Spiritual Pleasure Garden for Devout Souls] (Lancaster County, PA: Amischen Gemeinden, 2008).
18
All quotations from “Rules of a Godly Life” in the text are from Joseph Stoll’s translation in
In Meiner Jugend
, 65, 75, 85.
All quotations from “Rules of a Godly Life” in the text are from Joseph Stoll’s translation in
In Meiner Jugend
, 65, 75, 85.
19
M. Miller,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, 470-472, 474. The poem was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, a poet and attorney in Terre Haute, Indiana.
M. Miller,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, 470-472, 474. The poem was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, a poet and attorney in Terre Haute, Indiana.
20
Max Lucado,
Six Hours One Friday: Living the Power of the Cross
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004); Lee Strobel,
The Case for Christ:A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998).
Max Lucado,
Six Hours One Friday: Living the Power of the Cross
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004); Lee Strobel,
The Case for Christ:A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998).
21
Rick Warren,
The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002).
Rick Warren,
The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002).
1
See Jeffrey M. Wallmann,
The Western: Parables of the American Dream
(Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 1999), especially chapter 5.
See Jeffrey M. Wallmann,
The Western: Parables of the American Dream
(Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 1999), especially chapter 5.
2
Robert N. Bellah and others,
Habits of the Heart
(San Francisco: Harper Perennial, 1985), 221.
Robert N. Bellah and others,
Habits of the Heart
(San Francisco: Harper Perennial, 1985), 221.
3
This quotation and the others in this section are from Paul Kline, “Gelassenheit” (notes, Holmes County, OH, n.d.). These notes later appeared, with minor changes, as “Gelassenheit” in Mary Schlabach, comp.,
Message Mem’ries
(Millersburg, OH: Emanuel and Mary Schlabach, 2007), 147-153.
This quotation and the others in this section are from Paul Kline, “Gelassenheit” (notes, Holmes County, OH, n.d.). These notes later appeared, with minor changes, as “Gelassenheit” in Mary Schlabach, comp.,
Message Mem’ries
(Millersburg, OH: Emanuel and Mary Schlabach, 2007), 147-153.
4
“God’s Beauty,”
Family Life
, January 1982, 9.
“God’s Beauty,”
Family Life
, January 1982, 9.
5
Here the Amish are influenced by Luther’s German translation, which uses the language of being born anew (John 3:3, 7: “Es sei denn, daß jemand von neuem geboren werde” and “Ihr müsset von neuem geboren werden”), which has a slightly different connotation than the “born again” language in the King James and New International versions of the Bible. The best translation of the Greek is likely “born from above.”
Here the Amish are influenced by Luther’s German translation, which uses the language of being born anew (John 3:3, 7: “Es sei denn, daß jemand von neuem geboren werde” and “Ihr müsset von neuem geboren werden”), which has a slightly different connotation than the “born again” language in the King James and New International versions of the Bible. The best translation of the Greek is likely “born from above.”
6
“The Pangs of the New Birth,”
Family Life
, August/September, 1984, 12-13. David Beiler, a widely quoted nineteenth-century Amish bishop, puts it this way: “It requires a serious battle to overcome and crucify this evil nature and put ourselves in subjection to Christ.” David Beiler,
True Christianity: A Christian Meditation on the Teachings of Holy Scripture
, trans. Adelheide Schutzler and Isaac J. Lowry (Parkesburg, PA: Benuel S. Blank Family, 2009), 230. For a more detailed discussion of Amish understanding of salvation, see PatonYoder,
Tradition and Transition: Amish Mennonites and Old Order Amish, 1800-1900
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1991), 72-79.Yoder quotes a Canadian observer who said that, for the Amish, “the new birth was a command rather than an experience.”
“The Pangs of the New Birth,”
Family Life
, August/September, 1984, 12-13. David Beiler, a widely quoted nineteenth-century Amish bishop, puts it this way: “It requires a serious battle to overcome and crucify this evil nature and put ourselves in subjection to Christ.” David Beiler,
True Christianity: A Christian Meditation on the Teachings of Holy Scripture
, trans. Adelheide Schutzler and Isaac J. Lowry (Parkesburg, PA: Benuel S. Blank Family, 2009), 230. For a more detailed discussion of Amish understanding of salvation, see PatonYoder,
Tradition and Transition: Amish Mennonites and Old Order Amish, 1800-1900
(Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1991), 72-79.Yoder quotes a Canadian observer who said that, for the Amish, “the new birth was a command rather than an experience.”
7
Nathan Weaver, “Amazing Grace: Is Our View Too Narrow
?” Family Life
, February 2010, 8.
Nathan Weaver, “Amazing Grace: Is Our View Too Narrow
?” Family Life
, February 2010, 8.
8
“A Bridge of Many Stones,”
Family Life
, February 1985, 12 (emphasis added).
“A Bridge of Many Stones,”
Family Life
, February 1985, 12 (emphasis added).
9
Neither the 1632 Dordrecht Confession of Faith, which the Amish use as a summary of doctrine, nor the unofficial but widely used compilation
1001 Questions and Answers on the Christian Life
has a section devoted to the Bible itself or a definition of the Bible’s authority. Nevertheless, both sources rely entirely on Bible verses to make their points. In Amish circles, biblical authority is assumed and not explained.
Neither the 1632 Dordrecht Confession of Faith, which the Amish use as a summary of doctrine, nor the unofficial but widely used compilation
1001 Questions and Answers on the Christian Life
has a section devoted to the Bible itself or a definition of the Bible’s authority. Nevertheless, both sources rely entirely on Bible verses to make their points. In Amish circles, biblical authority is assumed and not explained.
10
The Writings of David A.Troyer
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway Publishers, 1998), 33, 101, 111, 123, 144.
The Writings of David A.Troyer
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway Publishers, 1998), 33, 101, 111, 123, 144.
11
“A Bridge of Many Stones,” 12.
“A Bridge of Many Stones,” 12.
12
“Learning from the Tourists,”
Family Life
, July 1979, 14.
“Learning from the Tourists,”
Family Life
, July 1979, 14.
13
“The Pangs of the New Birth,” 13.
“The Pangs of the New Birth,” 13.
14
The Writings of David A.Troyer
, 122.
The Writings of David A.Troyer
, 122.
15
“Learning from the Tourists,” 13.
“Learning from the Tourists,” 13.
1
The story was based on an April 27, 2009, news release by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life. The information was also reported by columnist Betsy Hart in “Church ‘Hopping’ an Insidious Trend,”
Lancaster (PA) New Era
, July 5, 2007.
The story was based on an April 27, 2009, news release by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life. The information was also reported by columnist Betsy Hart in “Church ‘Hopping’ an Insidious Trend,”
Lancaster (PA) New Era
, July 5, 2007.
2
M. Miller,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, 218.
M. Miller,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, 218.
3
P. Kline, “Gelassenheit.”
P. Kline, “Gelassenheit.”
4
“A Copy Concerning Baptism,”
In Meiner Jugend
, 189 (emphasis added). This is a translation of the wording used in most of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and throughout much of the Midwest. In other Amish settlements, the baptismal questions are essentially the same, but are worded a bit differently. In all settlements, the questions are asked in German.
“A Copy Concerning Baptism,”
In Meiner Jugend
, 189 (emphasis added). This is a translation of the wording used in most of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and throughout much of the Midwest. In other Amish settlements, the baptismal questions are essentially the same, but are worded a bit differently. In all settlements, the questions are asked in German.
5
M. Miller,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, 304. The Amish find these qualifications for ministry in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, where they are outlined by the apostle Paul.
M. Miller,
Our Heritage, Hope, and Faith
, 304. The Amish find these qualifications for ministry in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, where they are outlined by the apostle Paul.
6
[Joseph F. Beiler], “Ordnung,”
Mennonite Quarterly Review
56, no. 4 (October 1982): 384.
[Joseph F. Beiler], “Ordnung,”
Mennonite Quarterly Review
56, no. 4 (October 1982): 384.
7
“The Ordnung as Agreed on When Top Buggies Came In,”
Die Kurier
, February 10, 1998. This newsletter serves the Amish community in Daviess County, Indiana.
“The Ordnung as Agreed on When Top Buggies Came In,”
Die Kurier
, February 10, 1998. This newsletter serves the Amish community in Daviess County, Indiana.
8
“Teach Your Children to Sing,”
Family Life
, January 1995, 18.
“Teach Your Children to Sing,”
Family Life
, January 1995, 18.
9
All the Beiler quotations in this section are from [J. Beiler], “Ordnung,” 382-384.
All the Beiler quotations in this section are from [J. Beiler], “Ordnung,” 382-384.
10
Joe Keim, response to a letter to the editor,
The Plain Truth: Christianity Without the Religion
71, no. 4 (July/August 2006), 3,
http://ptm.org/06PT/JulAug/contents.pdf
.
Joe Keim, response to a letter to the editor,
The Plain Truth: Christianity Without the Religion
71, no. 4 (July/August 2006), 3,
http://ptm.org/06PT/JulAug/contents.pdf
.
11
[J. Beiler], “Ordnung,” 384.
[J. Beiler], “Ordnung,” 384.
12
“A Bridge of Many Stones,” 13.
“A Bridge of Many Stones,” 13.
13
[J. Beiler], “Ordnung,” 382.
[J. Beiler], “Ordnung,” 382.
1
Although some observers describe Amish singing as a Gregorian chant, it is more like Torah chanting. For background on the
Ausbund
and the Amish style of singing, see Hedwig Durnbaugh, “The Amish Singing Style: Theories of Its Origin and Description of Its Singularity,”
Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage
22, no. 2 (April 1999): 24-31, and David Luthy, “Four Centuries with the
Ausbund,” Family Life
, June 1971, 21-22.
Although some observers describe Amish singing as a Gregorian chant, it is more like Torah chanting. For background on the
Ausbund
and the Amish style of singing, see Hedwig Durnbaugh, “The Amish Singing Style: Theories of Its Origin and Description of Its Singularity,”
Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage
22, no. 2 (April 1999): 24-31, and David Luthy, “Four Centuries with the
Ausbund,” Family Life
, June 1971, 21-22.
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