Amish Life
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The History of the Amish
| March 1, 2023While Anabaptist in northern Europe were occupied with solving internal matters, the Anabaptists in southern Europe, especially Switzerland, were facing persecution and hardship.
Two women charged with stealing tens of thousands from Amish growers in St. Croix County
| February 3, 2023ST. CROIX COUNTY - Two women are charged in St. Croix County for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from Amish growers.
Iowa town joins local Amish in mourning loss of three children, young father
| January 30, 2023The calls began pouring in soon after the news that three local Amish children and one of the children's young father had died after their van rolled over on a snow-and-ice-covered highway last week...
The History of the Amish
| January 1, 2023In the November issue, we took a look at the events and issues that surrounded the beginning of the Reformation and the defining of the Anabaptists.
My Children's Children and Beyond
| July 1, 2022Lift your head my brother...my sister … Lift your head and eyes above all your worries, frustrations, and failures. Are you able to envision the next generation of children in your mind? Now, look further.
Baptism, Vows, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
| May 11, 2022I have felt for some time now that someone ought to address a misleading idea held by many of the most traditional Amish and Mennonites, and various other sections of the so-called Plain People. It is the idea that Christian baptism involves vows, mu
They came, they sawed, they barn-raised: Community unites to help Holmes family after fire
| June 26, 2021WALNUT CREEK TWP., OH - Within a week of a devastating fire that destroyed the barn on the family farm at 5840 Township Road 409 between Trail and Berlin, the Beachy family had a new barn, thanks to the kindness and generosity of neighbors in the Amish community.
A Teaspoon of Honey and Goodness of God
| January 1, 2021Some things are impossible to forget. Some things are impossible to forget. I can still hear the sound of his boots on the wood as he raced up the stairs after me. I can hear the door slam. But the loud beats of my heart nearly stopped when he grabbed me and I looked into his eyes.
10 Myths about Sexual Abuse in Anabaptist Communities
| July 1, 2020If we are going to stand up and fight for our children, we are going to have to ditch some misconceptions about sexual abuse that are widely believed in our culture.
A Second Chance Love Story
| July 1, 2020For those of you who like love stories and second chances, you will want to read this incredible love story. It is the greatest love story ever told!
What Does it Really Mean to be Born Again? (Part 1)
| May 1, 2020People who are born again are radically different than they were before they were born again. From the moment of their spiritual rebirth, they immediately see themselves and others differently.
Belief of our Fathers: The End Times (Chapter 9)
| March 1, 2020This concludes a study on the beliefs of our forefathers, based largely on the 1632 Dordrecht Confession of Faith. This section tells about Eschatology, or the study of the end times.
Belief of our Fathers: Sin and Salvation (Chapter 8)
| January 1, 2020This continues a study on the beliefs of our forefathers, based largely on the 1632 Dordrecht Confession of Faith. This section tells about Soteriology, or the study of Sin and Salvation. This has been edited for space
Belief of our Fathers: Humanity (Chapter 7)
| November 1, 2019This continues a study on the beliefs of our forefathers, based largely on the 1632 Dordrecht Confession of Faith. This section tells about Ecclesiology, or the study of the Church. This has been edited for space.
Belief of our Fathers: Angels, Demons, and Satan (Chapter 6)
| September 1, 2019Most of us grew up knowing that angels, demons, and the devil exist, but what do we know about them? Usually, our churches taught very little about the extent of their power or the function of the spirit. No one talked much about angels. The term “Holy Ghost,” rather than the term “Holy Spirit,” was most commonly used, which gave many of us a spooky concept of the spirit world. Throughout history, an absence of biblical knowledge has often resulted in superstition filling the void. The word “spirit” simply means a supernatural being without a flesh-and-blood body. Scripture shows us that these spirits are typically invisible, though they may appear in visible form or even as men.
A Message for Today from the Past
| September 1, 2019Do you ever wonder what would happen if Jacob Amman were alive today and had the same beliefs as he had in the seventeenth century? I recently spent some time reading the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, and it made me wonder if some of our beliefs are different than what they used to be.
My Do It Yourself Amish Story
| July 25, 2019My name is Eric, and I am from Saint Paul, Minnesota. When I was sixteen, I began studying all the different "tribes,” sects, and denominations of Christianity; I had a hunger for God and was searching for Him because I wasn't satisfied with the rigid formalism of the Lutheran church I was in.
Belief of Our Fathers: The Church (Chapter 5)
| July 1, 2019The Old Testament accounts relating to the worship of God make it clear that by the time Jesus walked this earth, the worship and service of the Jews no longer resembled what God had originally given them hundreds of years earlier. We, too, could be in danger of forgetting what God’s purpose for the Church is. Has the church service become just a tradition without real meaning—something that makes us feel religious, but leaves us empty afterward?
Belief of Our Fathers: The Bible (Chapter 4)
| May 1, 2019All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
Beliefs of Our Fathers: The Holy Spirit (Chapter 3)
| March 1, 2019Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)
Belief of our Fathers: Jesus Christ (Chapter 2)
| January 1, 2019This continues a study on the beliefs of our forefathers, based largely on the Dordrecht Confession of Faith from 1632. This section tells about Christology, or the study of Jesus Christ.
Beliefs of our Fathers: God (Chapter 1)
| November 1, 2018This continues a study on the beliefs of our forefathers, based largely on the Dordrecht Confession of Faith from 1632. This section tells about theology, or the study of God.
Church Vows or Marriage Vows: Which is more important?
| November 1, 2018Some time ago, a preacher in the Amish church left the culture with his wife and children. Not long after they left, the former preacher’s siblings and church came to visit the family. They made one thing clear to the husband: your vow to the church is more binding than your vow to your spouse on your wedding day. The siblings and church continued to pressure the father to separate himself from his wife and children, take up his church vow, and come back to the Amish.
Beliefs of Our Fathers (Part 1)
| September 8, 2018This begins a study on the beliefs of our forefathers, based largely on the Dordrecht Confession of Faith from 1632. We will discuss different doctrines from the Dordrecht Confession and the Bible. Do we still believe today what our forefathers believed? The first section, presented here, tells some of the history of the Anabaptists.
Head Covering: Should I Wear One?
| May 16, 2018My biggest question right now is about head covering. Should I? Shouldn't I? Is it a command? Does it matter? If you could help me gain clarity on this issue I would greatly appreciate it. It is the main area of contention between me and them and I really have no answer.
Your Church has no Rules!
| May 1, 2018This is what some local Amish have observed with regard to non-Amish churches in this area. Why, they exclaim, with no fences the sheep will all disappear! Funny they should say that, since sheep are such a good example of the difference between the Old Testament and New Testament system of governing. Also I appreciate the honest comment that permits a conversation. And my thanks to Andy who told me of this.
Former Amish Letter sent to 10,000 Amish Homes
| March 28, 2018The following letter was written and signed by a group of former Amish and mailed out to 10,000 Amish families in the Lancaster, PA area.
Relating to Victims (Part 2)
| March 1, 2018So now that we have established a biblical response to the perpetrators of sexual abuse, let’s think about how we should be relating to the victims.
Statistics tell us that 20.5 percent of the people in our churches are sexual abuse survivors. If you have a church of 200 people, approximately 41 of those people are struggling to heal from sexual abuse.
That is over one in five church members. Yet, we hear almost nothing about sexual abuse. We don’t talk about “such things.” Often, we don’t even know who the victims are or how to help them. And sometimes, if we do know the victims, we shame them instead of believing them. We betray their trust instead of helping them heal.
Relating to Perpetrators (Part 1)
| January 1, 2018I am shocked at the manner in which many Anabaptist churches are dealing with sexual abuse and the perpetrators.
I do not wish to point fingers at any particular church or church group. I do not wish to stir up strife. I do not wish to see divisions among people and church groups. I do not wish to make people angry at God or the church.
But I am saddened and concerned. Very concerned. Concerned enough to write this.
Lawyer, Lightning, and Luther
| January 1, 2018Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483. He was born on St. Martin’s Day, and so his parents named him Martin. Hans Luther, Martin’s father, was a miner. Hans and his wife, Margarete, were able to send Martin to school. Hans had high hopes for Martin and was pleased that he was studying to become a lawyer.
On July 2, 1505, Martin Luther was returning to the University of Erfurt when he was caught in a thunderstorm. You will remember that Saul of Tarsus had a sudden change of heart due to divine intervention, and so it was with Martin Luther. A bolt of lightning hit the ground near where Luther was, knocking him to the ground. Afraid, Luther called out to St. Anne, saying that if he would be kept safe through the storm, he would become a monk.
