Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy (31 page)
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Authors: Donald B. Kraybill,Steven M. Nolt,David L. Weaver-Zercher
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96
“There is perhaps no other factor”:
“That Our Hurts May Be Healed,”
Family Life
, January 2003, 10.
“There is perhaps no other factor”:
“That Our Hurts May Be Healed,”
Family Life
, January 2003, 10.
97
“Forgiveness is never dependent”:
Nicholas Ayo,
The Lord’s Prayer: A Survey Theological and Literary
(Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1992), 79.
“Forgiveness is never dependent”:
Nicholas Ayo,
The Lord’s Prayer: A Survey Theological and Literary
(Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1992), 79.
97
In his commentary on this section of Matthew:
William Barclay,
The Gospel of Matthew,
vol. 1, 2nd ed. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1958), 223.
In his commentary on this section of Matthew:
William Barclay,
The Gospel of Matthew,
vol. 1, 2nd ed. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1958), 223.
97
“The main ‘forgiveness’”:
“Georgetown, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 22.
“The main ‘forgiveness’”:
“Georgetown, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 22.
100
The Amish, Cronk says, “see God working”:
Sandra Cronk, “
Gelassenheit:
The Rites of the Redemptive Process in Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite Communities,”
Mennonite Quarterly Review,
1981,
55
, 7-8.
The Amish, Cronk says, “see God working”:
Sandra Cronk, “
Gelassenheit:
The Rites of the Redemptive Process in Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite Communities,”
Mennonite Quarterly Review,
1981,
55
, 7-8.
104
They stretch me: Songs of the Ausbund: History and Translations of Ausbund Hymns,
vol. 1 (Millersburg: Ohio Amish Library, 1998), 168. Used by permission.
They stretch me: Songs of the Ausbund: History and Translations of Ausbund Hymns,
vol. 1 (Millersburg: Ohio Amish Library, 1998), 168. Used by permission.
105
Take notice how: Songs of the Ausbund,
73. Used by permission.
Take notice how: Songs of the Ausbund,
73. Used by permission.
105
It is not uncommon for sermons:
The English edition of
Martyrs Mirror
is kept in print by Herald Press, Scottdale, PA. Pathway Publishers, Aylmer, ON, issues a 1,004-page German edition of the book,
Der blutige Schauplatz, oder, Märtyrer-Spiegel der Taufgesinnten, oder, wehrlosen Christen, die um des Zeugnisses Jesu, ihres Seligmachers, willen gelitten haben und getötet worden sind, von Christi Zeit an bis auf das Jahr 1660
. The English edition includes fifty-five etchings, produced in the seventeenth century by a Dutch Mennonite artist, that graphically illustrate the martyrdom. The German edition is not illustrated.
It is not uncommon for sermons:
The English edition of
Martyrs Mirror
is kept in print by Herald Press, Scottdale, PA. Pathway Publishers, Aylmer, ON, issues a 1,004-page German edition of the book,
Der blutige Schauplatz, oder, Märtyrer-Spiegel der Taufgesinnten, oder, wehrlosen Christen, die um des Zeugnisses Jesu, ihres Seligmachers, willen gelitten haben und getötet worden sind, von Christi Zeit an bis auf das Jahr 1660
. The English edition includes fifty-five etchings, produced in the seventeenth century by a Dutch Mennonite artist, that graphically illustrate the martyrdom. The German edition is not illustrated.
106
From the beginning, the Anabaptists:
Brad S. Gregory,
Salvation at Stake: Christian Martyrdom in Early Modern Europe
(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999), 319.
From the beginning, the Anabaptists:
Brad S. Gregory,
Salvation at Stake: Christian Martyrdom in Early Modern Europe
(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999), 319.
106
Indeed, in recently published reflections: The Amazing Story of the Ausbund
(Narvon, PA: Benuel S. Blank, 2001), 116-117.
Indeed, in recently published reflections: The Amazing Story of the Ausbund
(Narvon, PA: Benuel S. Blank, 2001), 116-117.
107
In a study guide:
James W. Lowry,
The Martyrs’ Mirror Made Plain: A Study Guide and Further Studies
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway, 2000), 99.
In a study guide:
James W. Lowry,
The Martyrs’ Mirror Made Plain: A Study Guide and Further Studies
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway, 2000), 99.
107
Forgiveness is a regular feature: Martyrs Mirror,
750, 610, 759, 467.
Forgiveness is a regular feature: Martyrs Mirror,
750, 610, 759, 467.
107
From his prison cell: Martyrs Mirror,
914.
From his prison cell: Martyrs Mirror,
914.
108
“Forgiving the persecutors”:
Lowry,
The Martyrs’ Mirror Made Plain,
100.
“Forgiving the persecutors”:
Lowry,
The Martyrs’ Mirror Made Plain,
100.
109
The story’s conclusion drives the point home:
Lowry,
The Martyrs’ Mirror Made Plain,
117.
The story’s conclusion drives the point home:
Lowry,
The Martyrs’ Mirror Made Plain,
117.
110
For example, “Peter Miller’s Revenge”: Our Heritage
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway, 1968), 433-439.
For example, “Peter Miller’s Revenge”: Our Heritage
(Aylmer, ON: Pathway, 1968), 433-439.
115
A writer in an Amish periodical recalled:
“Is the Golden Rule Outdated?”
Family Life,
January 2003, 14.
A writer in an Amish periodical recalled:
“Is the Golden Rule Outdated?”
Family Life,
January 2003, 14.
122
The service culminates in footwashing:
The description of the communion service is adapted from Donald B. Kraybill,
The Riddle of Amish Culture,
rev. ed. (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001), 127-128.
The service culminates in footwashing:
The description of the communion service is adapted from Donald B. Kraybill,
The Riddle of Amish Culture,
rev. ed. (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001), 127-128.
125
“To err is human”:
Alexander Pope,
An Essay on Criticism,
originally published 1711.
“To err is human”:
Alexander Pope,
An Essay on Criticism,
originally published 1711.
126
As a result of their clinical research:
Everett L. Worthington Jr.,
Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Theory and Application
(New York: Routledge, 2006), 272.
As a result of their clinical research:
Everett L. Worthington Jr.,
Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Theory and Application
(New York: Routledge, 2006), 272.
126
“When unjustly hurt by another”:
Joanna North, quoted in Robert D. Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice: A Step-by-Step Process for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope
(Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2001), 25.
“When unjustly hurt by another”:
Joanna North, quoted in Robert D. Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice: A Step-by-Step Process for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope
(Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2001), 25.
126
In Enright’s view, this definition:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice,
25.
In Enright’s view, this definition:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice,
25.
127
“In spite of everything”:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice,
25-26.
“In spite of everything”:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice,
25-26.
127
To the contrary, “forgiveness means”:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice
, 28.
To the contrary, “forgiveness means”:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice
, 28.
127
That’s because “reconciliation requires”:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice,
31.
That’s because “reconciliation requires”:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice,
31.
128
For instance, when one columnist asked:
Cristina Odone, “Why Do the Amish Ignore Reality?”
Observer,
October 8, 2006,
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1890309,00.html
. .
For instance, when one columnist asked:
Cristina Odone, “Why Do the Amish Ignore Reality?”
Observer,
October 8, 2006,
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1890309,00.html
. .
128
“Forgiveness doesn’t mean ‘I didn’t really mind’”:
N. T. Wright,
Evil and the Justice of God
(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 152.
“Forgiveness doesn’t mean ‘I didn’t really mind’”:
N. T. Wright,
Evil and the Justice of God
(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 152.
128
For instance, one observer reduced:
Odone, “Why Do the Amish Ignore Reality?”
For instance, one observer reduced:
Odone, “Why Do the Amish Ignore Reality?”
129
“I would not want to be like them”:
Jeff Jacoby, “Undeserved Forgiveness,”
Boston Globe,
October 8, 2006.
“I would not want to be like them”:
Jeff Jacoby, “Undeserved Forgiveness,”
Boston Globe,
October 8, 2006.
129
“She holds no ill will”:
“Pa. School Shooter Said He’d Molested Relatives,”
NBC News,
October 3, 2006,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15113706
.
“She holds no ill will”:
“Pa. School Shooter Said He’d Molested Relatives,”
NBC News,
October 3, 2006,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15113706
.
130
“People get angry and interpret”:
Eric Shiraev and David Levy,
Cross-Cultural Psychology: Critical Thinking and Contemporary Applications
, 2nd ed. (Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2004), 178.
“People get angry and interpret”:
Eric Shiraev and David Levy,
Cross-Cultural Psychology: Critical Thinking and Contemporary Applications
, 2nd ed. (Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2004), 178.
131
In fact, one Amish magazine:
“Anger,”
Family Life
, February 2002, 10.
In fact, one Amish magazine:
“Anger,”
Family Life
, February 2002, 10.
131
The booklet’s author, John Coblentz:
John Coblentz,
Putting Off Anger: A Biblical Study of What Anger Is and What to Do About It
(Harrisonburg, VA: Christian Light Publications, 1999), 7-8.
The booklet’s author, John Coblentz:
John Coblentz,
Putting Off Anger: A Biblical Study of What Anger Is and What to Do About It
(Harrisonburg, VA: Christian Light Publications, 1999), 7-8.
131
Scholars who study forgiveness:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice,
33.
Scholars who study forgiveness:
Enright,
Forgiveness Is a Choice,
33.
134
Decisional forgiveness is a personal commitment:
Everett L. Worthington Jr.,
Forgiving and Reconciling: Bridges to Wholeness and Hope,
rev. ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 53.
Decisional forgiveness is a personal commitment:
Everett L. Worthington Jr.,
Forgiving and Reconciling: Bridges to Wholeness and Hope,
rev. ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 53.
135
Emotional forgiveness, on the other hand:
Worthington,
Forgiving and Reconciling,
41-42.
Emotional forgiveness, on the other hand:
Worthington,
Forgiving and Reconciling,
41-42.
135
Invoking Jesus’ instructions to Peter:
“Nine Principles for Mending Broken Relationships,”
Family Life,
November 2001, 8.
Invoking Jesus’ instructions to Peter:
“Nine Principles for Mending Broken Relationships,”
Family Life,
November 2001, 8.
137
Jeffrie G. Murphy, for instance:
Jeffrie G. Murphy, “Two Cheers for Vindictiveness,”
Punishment and Society,
2000,
2
, 131-143.
Jeffrie G. Murphy, for instance:
Jeffrie G. Murphy, “Two Cheers for Vindictiveness,”
Punishment and Society,
2000,
2
, 131-143.
137
In 2005, the periodical
Legal Affairs: Nadya Labi, “The Gentle People,”
Legal Affairs,
January-February 2005, 25-32.
In 2005, the periodical
Legal Affairs: Nadya Labi, “The Gentle People,”
Legal Affairs,
January-February 2005, 25-32.
139
“All too often . . . survivors of violence are retraumatized”:
Pamela Cooper-White,
The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church’s Response
(Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995), 253.
“All too often . . . survivors of violence are retraumatized”:
Pamela Cooper-White,
The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church’s Response
(Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995), 253.
140
In
Forgive for Good
, Fred Luskin:
Fred Luskin,
Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness
(San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2002), 45.
In
Forgive for Good
, Fred Luskin:
Fred Luskin,
Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness
(San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2002), 45.
141
“A terrible killer might be forgiven”:
Ellis Henican, “Forgiveness—but Not for All,”
Newsday,
October 6, 2006.
“A terrible killer might be forgiven”:
Ellis Henican, “Forgiveness—but Not for All,”
Newsday,
October 6, 2006.
143
Given the importance of verses 18-20:
C. Arnold Snyder,
Anabaptist History and Theology: Revised Student Edition
(Kitchener, ON: Pandora Press, 1997), 370-373.
Given the importance of verses 18-20:
C. Arnold Snyder,
Anabaptist History and Theology: Revised Student Edition
(Kitchener, ON: Pandora Press, 1997), 370-373.
149
The Amish cite at least four reasons:
For more in-depth views of Amish shunning, see
The Amazing Story of the Ausbund
(Narvon, PA: Benuel S. Blank, 2001), 109-112, and “Shunning,”
Family Life,
April 1970, 18-21.
The Amish cite at least four reasons:
For more in-depth views of Amish shunning, see
The Amazing Story of the Ausbund
(Narvon, PA: Benuel S. Blank, 2001), 109-112, and “Shunning,”
Family Life,
April 1970, 18-21.
149
First, shunning is supported:
The primary biblical texts that support shunning include Matthew 18:15-18; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 2 Timothy 3:2-5; and Titus 3:10.
First, shunning is supported:
The primary biblical texts that support shunning include Matthew 18:15-18; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 2 Timothy 3:2-5; and Titus 3:10.
149
Second, the practice finds support:
“The Shunning of the Excommunicated,” Article 17 in the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, in Irvin B. Horst, ed. and trans.,
Mennonite Confession of Faith
(Lancaster, PA: Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, 1988), 35. The Dordrecht Confession is used by the Amish even though it was written originally by Dutch Mennonites in 1632, before the Amish emerged as a distinct group. A more accessible text of the Dordrecht Confession is available at
http://www.mcusa-archives.org/library/resolutions/dordrecht/index.html
.
Second, the practice finds support:
“The Shunning of the Excommunicated,” Article 17 in the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, in Irvin B. Horst, ed. and trans.,
Mennonite Confession of Faith
(Lancaster, PA: Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, 1988), 35. The Dordrecht Confession is used by the Amish even though it was written originally by Dutch Mennonites in 1632, before the Amish emerged as a distinct group. A more accessible text of the Dordrecht Confession is available at
http://www.mcusa-archives.org/library/resolutions/dordrecht/index.html
.
153
“Herein is love”:
“The Need of Forgiving,”
Family Life,
October 1985, 9.
“Herein is love”:
“The Need of Forgiving,”
Family Life,
October 1985, 9.
156
“Like many aspects of Amish life”:
Expression of emotion is culturally formed. Amish weeping, which is marked by the quiet, public shedding of tears by both men and women, bears some similarities to eighteenth-century European custom and differs from later notions of crying as primarily a private or feminine activity. See Anne Vincent-Buffault,
The History of Tears: Sensibility and Sentimentality in France
(New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991).
“Like many aspects of Amish life”:
Expression of emotion is culturally formed. Amish weeping, which is marked by the quiet, public shedding of tears by both men and women, bears some similarities to eighteenth-century European custom and differs from later notions of crying as primarily a private or feminine activity. See Anne Vincent-Buffault,
The History of Tears: Sensibility and Sentimentality in France
(New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991).
159
“I felt the need to express my feelings”:
Emma King,
Joys, Sorrows, and Shadows
(Elverson, PA: Olde Springfield Shoppe, 1992), v.
“I felt the need to express my feelings”:
Emma King,
Joys, Sorrows, and Shadows
(Elverson, PA: Olde Springfield Shoppe, 1992), v.
160
Providence, the idea that God:
Daniel L. Migliore,
Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology,
2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004), 421.
Providence, the idea that God:
Daniel L. Migliore,
Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology,
2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004), 421.
160
Christian author Philip Yancey:
Philip Yancey,
Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 139.
Christian author Philip Yancey:
Philip Yancey,
Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 139.
162
This confession, reviewed by bishops:
“God and Creation,” Article 1 in the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, in Irvin B. Horst, ed. and trans.,
Mennonite Confession of Faith
(Lancaster, PA: Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, 1988), 24.
This confession, reviewed by bishops:
“God and Creation,” Article 1 in the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, in Irvin B. Horst, ed. and trans.,
Mennonite Confession of Faith
(Lancaster, PA: Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, 1988), 24.
162
“What can one say”:
“Oxford, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 16, 2006, 49.
“What can one say”:
“Oxford, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 16, 2006, 49.
162
“We trust him, yes”:
“Kirkwood, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 16, 2006, 47.
“We trust him, yes”:
“Kirkwood, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 16, 2006, 47.
163
“It wasn’t His will”:
“New Holland, PA; Groffdale,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 36.
“It wasn’t His will”:
“New Holland, PA; Groffdale,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 36.
164
“We don’t know why, but”:
“Hopkinsville, KY,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 10.
“We don’t know why, but”:
“Hopkinsville, KY,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 10.
164
Amish elders concurred:
This undated and unsigned letter written by several church leaders was distributed in late October 2006 to outsiders inquiring about forgiveness.
Amish elders concurred:
This undated and unsigned letter written by several church leaders was distributed in late October 2006 to outsiders inquiring about forgiveness.
164
“If our precious family circle”:
“Parkesburg, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 16, 2006, 59.
“If our precious family circle”:
“Parkesburg, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 16, 2006, 59.
164
“The Lord works in mysterious ways”:
“Georgetown, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 22. For a similar assertion (though in this case the Amish writer attributes the assertion to a non-Amish person), see “Kindardine, ON,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 16.
“The Lord works in mysterious ways”:
“Georgetown, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 22. For a similar assertion (though in this case the Amish writer attributes the assertion to a non-Amish person), see “Kindardine, ON,”
Die Botschaft,
October 23, 2006, 16.
166
“Some things in life”:
“Dry Run, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 16, 2006, 51.
“Some things in life”:
“Dry Run, PA,”
Die Botschaft,
October 16, 2006, 51.
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