Dan Greenfield

Category: Amish

  • An Amishman on the Ordnung

    This was very helpful in understanding how Amish relate to the outside culture. I have several thoughts ruminating about this article, but will refrain at this point and let them simmer in the crock-pot of my mind. 🙂

  • Amish Rumspringa

    Many–most?–people who know a little about Amish view rumspringa as a time when the Amish church condones, if not encourages, young people to live it up and sow their wild oats, get the world out of their system, to see if they really want to join the Amish church or not.…

  • The Amish

    This coming Tuesday, February 28 at 8pm, PBS has a special on the Amish. Here’s their page about it, and a video of chapter one: The Amish . Bonus Video . American Experience . WGBH | PBS.

  • Amish Church

    Here’s an interesting post about silliness in one Amish church. Let it be known that this is not the standard in every Amish church. Any time you assemble sinners together silliness and stupidity is bound to happen. That is why a church needs to be driven by Scripture rather than the…

  • Amish Preaching

    An interesting account of what Amish ministers typically preach: http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/2011/04/amish-theology.html

  • Amish Taxes

    I often get asked questions from my friends and contacts about the Amish, and one of them is “do Amish pay taxes?” Yes, they do, but they are exempt from social security. If you’re more interested about it, read this. On a different note, the Amish evidently also have their…

  • Amish Doubts

    Here is a snippet from a post from a former Amish detailing the doubts she and her husband began to have and their search for answers from their bishop– Arriving at the bishops house he invited us into his study which seemed like only an over sized closet. We tried…

  • Leaving Amish Paradise

    This looks like an interesting documentary by the BBC; I’ll have to see about finding it. After watching this video, try to put yourself in the shoes of an ex-Amish–all your life practically everything was decided for you. Now, suddenly, you’re on your own. How do you make decisions? What…

  • Sharing the Gospel with the Amish

    Here’s a great post on how one neighbor man (who happened to be a pastor) was concerned for the souls of his Amish neighbors, and the varied responses his witness had.

  • Separatism, Individualism, Culture, and…Clothes?

    Erik Wesner at Amish America pointed my attention to yet another resource on the Amish and other Anabaptist groups (there’s been a lot published lately). This one is by renowned Anabaptist scholar Donald Kraybill,  Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites. Erik’s post includes a brief interview with Kraybill,…

  • Amish Beliefs about Salvation

    This is a good summary about Amish beliefs concerning Bible study, what makes Amish “Amish,” why most stay Amish, and their reasons for not actively seeking to spread the gospel.  

  • New York Amish

    Here is an excellent article on the Amish in New York state. I especially appreciated the section in the interview that details the Ordnung, how that works out practically, and how the Amish interpret responses from the outside world.

  • Preparing for Communion Amish Style – Ordnung

    My last two posts referenced you to the preparation for and the actual baptism of an Amish young lady. Amish observe communion (or, the Lord’s Supper) only twice a year. Before they observe it, they take time some weeks before that to make sure that all the church members are…

  • Amish Baptism, Part 2

    Here’s part 2 of a former Amish woman’s account of her baptism. Fascinating, excellent; even a little sad. Ready for Baptism, Part 2

  • Amish Baptism

    I subscribe to a number of blogs that help me better understand my Amish neighbors. One of those today published part one of her baptism. If you’re interested in Amish belief and practice, this provides a helpful insight into such. Ready for Baptism: Part One

  • Amish Ordnung

    Last fall I concluded the study of What the Bible Teaches About Salvation with an introduction to and overview of what the Amish believe about salvation. In that lesson I briefly discussed the ordnung. This morning I read this and thought it an interesting and helpful explanation from an Amishman:…

  • Amish Q&A

    Living in an area where Amish have been moving out here (probably from Geauga county, and probably b/c our property and taxes are lower) I’ve tried to learn all I can about them. One blog I subscribe to is Erik Wisner’s Amish America. His posts are always informative. Today he…