The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World

Praise for The Amish Way "The Amish Way is enlightening, practical, and well–researched. A wonderful read!" —Beverly Lewis, New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction "With detailed personal anecdotes and explanations straight from the Amish themselves, The Amish Way illustrates the simplicity and grace with which the Amish live their lives, and proves that those of us who have our own questions with faith might well learn from their example."—Jodi Picoult, author, Plain Truth and House Rules "The Amish Way is a treasure—educating as it enlightens, inspiring as it informs. The authors′ vast access to Amish life and use of Amish voices makes The Amish Way unparalleled in its authenticity and accuracy."—Erik Wesner, author, Amish America blog and Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive "Kraybill, Nolt, and Weaver–Zercher bring a rare combination of expertise and understanding to the religious beliefs and practices that shape Amish life. The Amish Way is a fascinating exploration of the spirituality of a people who live their faith."—Karen Johnson–Weiner, professor of anthropology, SUNY Potsdam; author, New York Amish "In this beautifully written book, a Christian community that is often viewed as a curiosity emerges as a thoughtful, complicated body of believers. The authors′ appreciative and nuanced portrait helps us understand the Amish way of life—and challenges us to reflect on our own." —Dorothy C. Bass, editor, Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People

Preface xi Part One Searching for Amish Spirituality 1 1 A Peculiar Way 3 2 Spiritual Headwaters 17 Part Two The Amish Way of Community 29 3 Losing Self 31 4 Joining Church 45 5 Worshiping God 59 6 Living Together 75 Part Three The Amish Way in Everyday Life 91 7 Children 93 8 Family 107 9 Possessions 123 10 Nature 137 11 Evil 151 12 Sorrow 165 Part Four Amish Faith and the Rest of Us 179 13 The Things That Matter 181 Acknowledgments 193 Appendix I. The Amish of North America 195 Appendix II. Amish Lectionary 205 Appendix III. Rules of a Godly Life 209 Notes 223 References 239 The Authors 247 Index 249

Donald B. Kraybill, Ph.D., is senior fellow at the Young Center of Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Steven M. Nolt, Ph.D., is professor of history at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana. David L. Weaver–Zercher, Ph.D., is professor of American religious history at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. They are the coauthors of the bestselling book Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy, which served as the basis for the most–viewed Lifetime movie of all time.