Are The Amish Considered Christians?

[Willie T]

I have a good friend who is supported on his website, " https://preachingpeace.org ", by a Mennonite Congregation. More than the trivial stuff about avoiding electricity and modern conveniences, they are more concerned about living a non-violent lifestyle. A good man, but we do not see eye-to-eye on a lot of things in that area. He's also a Socialistic Democrat in his thinking.

 

[Bull of the Woods]

My daughter spent a summer living with the Amish as part of her studies at a Christian college. She knows the ones she lived with are believers. She dressed in their clothes and worked with them and worshipped with them.

My wife and I had five horses for thirty years. No way would I take them out on the trails without a bridle and bit.
Though one of them I used what is called a "broken bit". Has a joint in the middle and easier on the mouth. But mine were ridden western style and trained to be neck reined, which means primarily controlled with light touches of the reins on the side of the neck. Rarely was the bit pulled back.

 

[Willie T]

My opinion is that if people rode and controlled horses all through history without a hunk of metal in their mouths, clamping down on their tongues, why can't it be done today?

 

[Bull of the Woods]

Maybe they had a higher injury and death incidence back then? Mine were very spirited and though I rarely had to give a good pull when they were trying to bolt ahead or spooked, I was glad to have the option.

 

[OzSpen]

My view, after living in an Old Order Amish community where the horses and buggies were driven down the main street of the city, is that the Amish is a Christian denomination of the Anabaptist tradition.

It is not a cult but does have some doctrines that differ with mainstream evangelical Christianity.

Some of these differences would include:

• Their refusal to use modern technology (however, today some will use solar power - they will not use electricity from the grid);
• Their favouring the old ways from hundreds of years ago;
• Most Amish children are not educated past the 8th grade;
• They refuse to pay into and accept help from government Social Security. They believe this is the responsibility of their Christian community to support others in need. They pay State and local taxes.
• It is one of the "peace" denominations;
• They do not actively promote and engage in evangelism;
• Their doctrine of "shunning" or excommunication has led to some sad cases of rejection by the community;
• Radical separation from the world, especially in the Old Order Amish community;
• Separation of church and state so that the church's authority is maintained in preference to civil authority.

However, they believe

• the Scriptures to be the Word of God;
• in living according to Christ's beatitudes in Matt 5;
• salvation is by grace through faith but they do not consider that one can have assurance of salvation;
• They are Trinitarian in beliefs (source).

Oz

 

[Willie T]

Amish don't do regular baptisms. They keel before the church and get "splashed" by three pourings of water on their heads.

 

[OzSpen]

Amish don't do regular baptisms. They keel before the church and get "splashed" by three pourings of water on their heads.

Willie,

My understanding is that with Amish baptism, a deacon pours water through the bishop's hands and over the head of the one to be baptised. The baptised one then stands up to be welcomed by the other members of the congregation. Males baptised are given a holy kiss by the bishop, while females baptised are not kissed by the male bishop, but are given a holy kiss by the bishop's wife.

This is the means by which any individual becomes a full member of the Amish congregation, with its responsibilities and privileges.



My discussions in an Amish community indicated that people becoming members from outside the Amish denomination were very rare - close to 'never'.

Oz

 

[jaybird]

My view, after living in an Old Order Amish community where the horses and buggies were driven down the main street of the city, is that the Amish is a Christian denomination of the Anabaptist tradition.

It is not a cult but does have some doctrines that differ with mainstream evangelical Christianity.

Some of these differences would include:

• Their refusal to use modern technology (however, today some will use solar power - they will not use electricity from the grid);
• Their favouring the old ways from hundreds of years ago;
• Most Amish children are not educated past the 8th grade;
• They refuse to pay into and accept help from government Social Security. They believe this is the responsibility of their Christian community to support others in need. They pay State and local taxes.
• It is one of the "peace" denominations;
• They do not actively promote and engage in evangelism;
• Their doctrine of "shunning" or excommunication has led to some sad cases of rejection by the community;
• Radical separation from the world, especially in the Old Order Amish community;
• Separation of church and state so that the church's authority is maintained in preference to civil authority.

However, they believe

• the Scriptures to be the Word of God;
• in living according to Christ's beatitudes in Matt 5;
• salvation is by grace through faith but they do not consider that one can have assurance of salvation;
• They are Trinitarian in beliefs (source).

Oz

what Christian denomination has a doctrine that they have to use modern day technology and electricity from a grid? i dont see how things like this would conflict with mainstream doctrines.

 

[WIP]

We have a rather large Amish community around here. I personally admire their traditions but that's where I have to stop short. About 10 years ago our church (former ALC Lutheran) started a monthly men's group meeting with our pastor. Over the years we've had individuals attend regularly from many denominations including Catholic, Baptist, other Lutheran, Mennonite, and Amish. One of the Amish fellows shared a little about their traditions and he expressed a significant point. What he struggled with was not that they observed the traditions but that the bishops taught that the traditions were Biblical and required Scripturally and he could not find that to be supported in Scripture. Eventually, he left the Amish community and started to attend seminary to become a Protestant pastor.

One thing that I thought was a bit ironic is that part of the reason for their traditions is to not bring attention to themselves. Unfortunately, because of the different lifestyle they live, it does precisely what it is not intended to do. It brings attention to them, making them stand out in a crowd, etc.

 

[Bull of the Woods]

Lots of stuff makes it's way from tradition to "biblical requirements".
It's our nature. Give it time and in America being of a particular political party will be necessary to get saved.

 

[OzSpen]

what Christian denomination has a doctrine that they have to use modern day technology and electricity from a grid? i dont see how things like this would conflict with mainstream doctrines.

Jaybird,

When rejection of modern day technology and electricity from the grid becomes part of the legalistic doctrines of a group such as the Amish, it does differ markedly from that taught by evangelical denominations that I know such as Baptist, evangelical Presbyterian, Missouri Synod Lutherans, Churches of Christ (in Australia), Christian & Missionary Alliance, Pentecostal groups such as the Assemblies of God, Foursquare Gospel, Pentecostal Holiness, Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, etc.

Oz

 

[jaybird]

Jaybird,

When rejection of modern day technology and electricity from the grid becomes part of the legalistic doctrines of a group such as the Amish, it does differ markedly from that taught by evangelical denominations that I know such as Baptist, evangelical Presbyterian, Missouri Synod Lutherans, Churches of Christ (in Australia), Christian & Missionary Alliance, Pentecostal groups such as the Assemblies of God, Foursquare Gospel, Pentecostal Holiness, Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, etc.

Oz

i had no idea these guys had such doctrines. i grew up in a baptist church and never remember anyone ever saying we had to use modern technology or we couldnt be part of the church, or were not Christians.

 

[Michael74]

There is nothing wrong with putting solar cells on your property if you want to. However, most Christians think that telling potential converts to Christianity that being off the grid is a prerequisite for conversion may an unnecessary burden. The Amish are wonderful people, but they don't tend to win many converts from the general population.

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Acts 15:28-29 NKJV

Of course, the Amish do a pretty good job of evangelizing their children. Believers teach their children. Among those on the grid, the common practice of allowing unbelievers to teach their children may not be the best idea.

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

So maybe the Amish may have a reasonable reason for being off the grid. At least it allows them to train up their own children in the way they should go.

 

[Bull of the Woods]

In America much of the church gives the distinct impression one must be a conservative republican in conjunction with being a Christian.

 

[Free]

i had no idea these guys had such doctrines. i grew up in a baptist church and never remember anyone ever saying we had to use modern technology or we couldnt be part of the church, or were not Christians.

And no one here is saying that either.

 

[Michael74]

In America much of the church gives the distinct impression one must be a conservative republican in conjunction with being a Christian.

That also may be an unnecessary burden. GOP oppression of the poor turns many away. I make up my own mind on the issues. I don't let either the Democrats or Republicans tell me what to think. Only the Bible.

 

[Papa Zoom]

Willie,

My understanding is that with Amish baptism, a deacon pours water through the bishop's hands and over the head of the one to be baptised. The baptised one then stands up to be welcomed by the other members of the congregation. Males baptised are given a holy kiss by the bishop, while females baptised are not kissed by the male bishop, but are given a holy kiss by the bishop's wife.

This is the means by which any individual becomes a full member of the Amish congregation, with its responsibilities and privileges.



My discussions in an Amish community indicated that people becoming members from outside the Amish denomination were very rare - close to 'never'.

Oz

Oddly enough, the horse and buggy were the technologies of that day. Maybe not the horse but certainly the buggy. Technology comes in many forms. God created electricity and gave us all things for our good. Sad that they cannot see this.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

That also may be an unnecessary burden. GOP oppression of the poor turns many away. I make up my own mind on the issues. I don't let either the Democrats or Republicans tell me what to think. Only the Bible.

That's a very good attitude to have. I'm in the same exact boat as you. Although politically speaking I'm Republican, I've got an independent spirit. I'm my own person and I definitely don't let other people try to influence me the way I think and feel about something is wrong. I'm a big girl now and I can decide for myself thank you very much. Unless God/ the holy spirit is telling me not to do something.

 

[jaybird]

And no one here is saying that either.

post 45 and 51 says that.
these post say using electricity conflict with Baptist teaching. to conflict you would have to have baptist teaching one has to use electricity, or Amish teaching anyone using electricity is not Christian. i am pretty sure neither do this.
the Amish basically are going the extra mile, making an extra effort for the Lord. most Christians praise such devotion, but there will always be those that want to point a finger at this and try and tear it down.

 

[jaybird]

That also may be an unnecessary burden. GOP oppression of the poor turns many away. I make up my own mind on the issues. I don't let either the Democrats or Republicans tell me what to think. Only the Bible.

i agree, both parties are full of so much corruption and wrong doing its hard to believe there are still some believe one would be Christian.