The Amish Way

A sensitive and realistic look at the spiritual life and practices of the Amish This second book by the authors of the award-winning Amish Grace sheds further light on the Amish, this time on their faith, spirituality, and spiritual practices. They interpret the distinctive practices of the Amish way of life and spirituality in their cultural context and explore their applicability for the wider world. Using a holistic perspective, the book tells the story of Amish religious experience in the words of the Amish themselves. Due to their long-standing friendships and relationships with Amish people, this author team may be the only set of interpreters able to provide an outsider-insider perspective. Provides a behind-the-scenes examination of Amish spiritual life Shows how the Amish practices can be applied to the wider world Written by authors with unprecedented access to the Amish community Written in a lively and engaging style, The Amish Way holds appeal for anyone who has wanted to know more about the inner workings of the Amish way of life.

A sensitive and realistic look at the spiritual life andpractices of the AmishThis second book by the authors of the award-winning AmishGrace sheds further light on the Amish, this time on theirfaith, spirituality, and spiritual practices. They interpret thedistinctive practices of the Amish way of life and spirituality intheir cultural context and explore their applicability for thewider world. Using a holistic perspective, the book tells the storyof Amish religious experience in the words of the Amish themselves.Due to their long-standing friendships and relationships with Amishpeople, this author team may be the only set of interpreters ableto provide an outsider-insider perspective.* Provides a behind-the-scenes examination of Amish spirituallife* Shows how the Amish practices can be applied to the widerworld* Written by authors with unprecedented access to the AmishcommunityWritten in a lively and engaging style, The Amish Wayholds appeal for anyone who has wanted to know more about the innerworkings of the Amish way of life.

Preface xiPart One Searching for Amish Spirituality 11 A Peculiar Way 32 Spiritual Headwaters 17Part Two The Amish Way of Community 293 Losing Self 314 Joining Church 455 Worshiping God 596 Living Together 75Part Three The Amish Way in Everyday Life 917 Children 938 Family 1079 Possessions 12310 Nature 13711 Evil 15112 Sorrow 165Part Four Amish Faith and the Rest of Us 17913 The Things That Matter 181Acknowledgments 193Appendix I. The Amish of North America 195Appendix II. Amish Lectionary 205Appendix III. Rules of a Godly Life 209Notes 223References 239The Authors 247Index 249