Volume 36, Number 1                                                  

January 2, 2010

That Old-Time Religion

   They may be plain clothes Christians but there’s nothing undercover about the faith of the Amish. Living old order is a tall order but they have much to teach us.

   For starters, we should treasure our religious freedom because it was hard won. The Amish trace their roots to 1525 when a radical band of Swiss Protestants became the Anabaptists, the “baptized again”. They believed infant sprinkling was not enough; that baptism should be an adult decision made as a confession of faith.

   In 1536, Dutch Catholic priest Menno Simmons joined the Anabaptists and his followers were called Mennonites. A bishop in that church, Jacob Amman, formed the Amish when his group left the Mennonites in 1693 for refusing to shun excommunicated members. Imprisoned and executed for their beliefs, both the Amish and Mennonites fled to the New World with its promise of religious freedom.

   Today there are Amish communities in 24 states and Ontario but the biggest is in north eastern Ohio. About 150,000 strong, the Amish are growing because each family has an average of seven children and 85 per cent stay in the faith. As for the group’s simple lifestyle, it’s based  on Romans 12:2 which says, “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you’ll know God’s will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect.”

   Interestingly, the Amish don’t reject technology just because it’s new. Every innovation is judged by its effects on the community’s togetherness and values. The horse and buggy are thought to keep the Amish close to the land and each other. Though members can’t own or drive a car, they can ride in one. Electricity and telephones are not allowed in homes but phone booths for business purposes are permitted and often found roadside at the end of Amish driveways.

   Simple clothing fosters humility and group identity rather than individuality. No jewellery is worn, not even wedding rings, and no electric appliances are used, though propane refrigerators are okay. The Amish don’t own musical instruments but singing is allowed, except solos and singing in harmony which could lead to pride. Dresses must be no higher than eight inches from the ground.

  As we start a new year, all Christians can admire the Amish for their willingness to stand apart. After all, Jesus wants us to be distinctive in our beliefs and behavour; to be unashamed of our faith; and not to get too comfortable in this world, either in its values or possessions.

   But, with all due respect to the Amish,  God wants us to reach out with his love, not shut out those who don’t follow our way of life. “Go into the world and make disciples,” said Jesus, “.... Teach them to obey all the commands I’ve given you.” (Matt. 28:19,20) 

   We’re to welcome into the church those who want to encounter Christ, and that’s always messy because all of us bring our worldliness with us. Though rules are necessary, Romans 12 makes it clear we’re transformed by love, not legalism; by relationship with Jesus not reliance on rules. Instead of trying to change through sheer discipline and determination, we must let God turn us into a new person by altering what we think, feel and value.

   If we try to be righteous by keeping the rules of our church community, we’re on dangerous ground because, when we’re successful, we become proud and judgmental. When we’re not, it leads to discouragement and what’s-the-use resignation. So let’s settle it now. We’ll never be good enough. We need the grace and forgiveness of Jesus to remove our sins and remould our sense of self. 

   The rules in the Bible are there because God knows what’s best for us, but those rules are always about responsibility and relationship. “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives,” writes Paul. “Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves... Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross [so] let ‘s follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Gal. 5:16, 24, 25)  The keys are love and leading, not rules and regulations.  That’s the truth, plain and simple.

By Rick Gamble.  Published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe to this free weekly article, send a request to info@followers.ca