Amish Mennonite Hutterite Bible

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P

persistent

Guest
#1
#1
You folks have given me, an armchair Christian as some one so aptly put it, a lot of really helpful info and I am truly grateful and I don't mind admitting how incredibly ignorant I am regarding the Bible. So, thru out my life I would on occasion think that if their were people of the Book it would probably be the Amish. Not that I "really" cared. So now after infesting this site for 4 whole days, almost, and having achieved "expertise" on the Bible I would really appreciate any opinions on Amish, Mennonite and or Hutterite beliefs. I have talked for some hours with a Mennonite preacher on the phone but I can't really say that it was very helpful. I have also watched videos of these groups on You Tube. All of this is still leading up to what group of Christians I should try and associate with as I have decided from all the input I get on this site that it is vital that we should fellowship in person. Thanks for all the great advice. P.S.I do really accept Jesus as my Savior for over a year now but have intentionally been isolating myself for over 4 years because that is when I realized I had to change my way of living.
 
Eli1

Eli1

Well-known member
#2
Apr 5, 2022
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#2
I don’t know much about the groups that you mentioned but i do know that an armchair Christian and a militant Christian have a lot of things in common.
 
Aaron56

Aaron56

Well-known member
#3
Jul 12, 2021
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#3
persistent said:
I would really appreciate any opinions on Amish, Mennonite and or Hutterite beliefs.
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Where I live there are many Mennonite, reformed and otherwise. About 50 miles south there are many Amish. I live in Ohio. Growing up, my mother's best friend (other than dad) was a Reformed Mennonite woman. As a family we would visit their church from time to time and have meals together. Aside from how they dressed they seemed like other people my parents knew: kind, funny, sincere, etc. If they were to where clothing like everyone else I would not be able to tell they were Reformed Mennonite.

The Amish are strange to me: denying certain technologies as a religious conviction. No amount of self-deprecating behavior gets one closer to The Father. Because of this, they are strong in tradition and weak in faith. Traditions, mostly religious, neutralize the power of the word of God in our lives. Absent the power of God, traditions of men will dictate behavior. When that happens the most vulnerable are exposed to the self-serving men. Like the Roman Catholics, there is rampant sexual and physical abuse among the Amish and children are typically the targets.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#4
#4
I have heard that term 'militant' associated with Christianity but since I have only in recent years become Christian myself I don't know what to make of it. I have read some history on Wikipedia about the Reformation, 1400's-1500's, and get the impression that the "arguments" they were having over "Christianity" was really more of a power struggle and religion was used as a rallying point. Maybe they were "militant"?
Eli1 said:
I don’t know much about the groups that you mentioned but i do know that an armchair Christian and a militant Christian have a lot of things in common.
Click to expand...
 
P

persistent

Guest
#5
#5
Aaron56 said:
Where I live there are many Mennonite, reformed and otherwise. About 50 miles south there are many Amish. I live in Ohio. Growing up, my mother's best friend (other than dad) was a Reformed Mennonite woman. As a family we would visit their church from time to time and have meals together. Aside from how they dressed they seemed like other people my parents knew: kind, funny, sincere, etc. If they were to where clothing like everyone else I would not be able to tell they were Reformed Mennonite.

The Amish are strange to me: denying certain technologies as a religious conviction. No amount of self-deprecating behavior gets one closer to The Father. Because of this, they are strong in tradition and weak in faith. Traditions, mostly religious, neutralize the power of the word of God in our lives. Absent the power of God, traditions of men will dictate behavior. When that happens the most vulnerable are exposed to the self-serving men. Like the Roman Catholics, there is rampant sexual and physical abuse among the Amish and children are typically the targets.
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Wow! Thanks for that synopsis and it is pretty much the way I was coming to understand these groups after about the past 4 years of trying to figure out what exactly the Bible is all about. I finally got it. Jesus the Son of the Great and Only Living God!!
 
S

Sipsey

Well-known member
#6
Sep 27, 2018
1,470
689
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#6
I have found that being religious is not a good synonym for Christian. Even the word Christian has been tarnished by bad examples in modern society. Loving God and learning what He expects from us, and what we can expect from Him is a rewarding journey, one that is full of surprises, and should never grow stale. We are told to “Study” and that is a life-long process. Seek Him with a humble heart and use only God’s standards.
 
wattie

wattie

Senior Member
#7
Feb 24, 2009
3,228
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New Zealand
#7
Have a look also at some what some ancient christians believed (beware though-- some of the writing about them is from there persecutors who call them heretics even though they were mostly sound, pure in the faith):

-Waldenses
-Paulicians
-Donatists
 
P

persistent

Guest
#8
#8
wattie said:
Have a look also at some what some ancient christians believed (beware though-- some of the writing about them is from there persecutors who call them heretics even though they were mostly sound, pure in the faith):

-Waldenses
-Paulicians -Donatists
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I have seen these groups mentioned but I don't think any of them exist now except maybe some kind of very small offshoots that I have come across in Russia and maybe Siberia. But I was on a different line of thinking, particularly with Amish. Before I finally realized that the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross is easily and readily available to any who sincerely seek God, I was under the impression that there was a certain group of people somewhere that had the "magic formula" or something like that. Must be that growing up Catholic with all their rituals that kind of thought was deeply embedded in my brain. I went thru all the Catholic rituals but didn't like, actually scorned all of it. So now I am really just trying to find a physical congregation that I might fellowship with. I have been talking with different denomination preachers on the phone and internet trying to figure out what group I might associate with. As of today an Assemblies of God group is my choice but I still need to check out Lutherans and Baptists. Catholic is out and probably Mennonite is out.
 
wattie

wattie

Senior Member
#9
Feb 24, 2009
3,228
1,124
113
New Zealand
#9
persistent said:
I have seen these groups mentioned but I don't think any of them exist now except maybe some kind of very small offshoots that I have come across in Russia and maybe Siberia. But I was on a different line of thinking, particularly with Amish. Before I finally realized that the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross is easily and readily available to any who sincerely seek God, I was under the impression that there was a certain group of people somewhere that had the "magic formula" or something like that. Must be that growing up Catholic with all their rituals that kind of thought was deeply embedded in my brain. I went thru all the Catholic rituals but didn't like, actually scorned all of it. So now I am really just trying to find a physical congregation that I might fellowship with. I have been talking with different denomination preachers on the phone and internet trying to figure out what group I might associate with. As of today an Assemblies of God group is my choice but I still need to check out Lutherans and Baptists. Catholic is out and probably Mennonite is out.
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Okay.. independent baptists have similar doctrine to the Waldenses and Paulicians and Donatists. Immersion baptism only of believers and not infants. Re-baptism of those who were baptised in false churches. Seperation from the state and independence of the local church, salvation by grace thru faith in Christ.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#10
#10
wattie said:
Okay.. independent baptists have similar doctrine to the Waldenses and Paulicians and Donatists. Immersion baptism only of believers and not infants. Re-baptism of those who were baptised in false churches. Seperation from the state and independence of the local church, salvation by grace thru faith in Christ.
Click to expand...
Thanks. You say independent Baptists. There are different varieties?
 
wattie

wattie

Senior Member
#12
Feb 24, 2009
3,228
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#12
persistent said:
Thanks. You say independent Baptists. There are different varieties?
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Yeah.. like most names you'll see variations. Independent baptists are distinctive by each church being completely independent of any other organisation. They might help eachother out as churches but not part of each other. It's trying to keep to the biblical model of NT churches.
 
oyster67

oyster67

Senior Member
#13
May 24, 2014
11,887
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#13
Aaron56 said:
Where I live there are many Mennonite, reformed and otherwise. About 50 miles south there are many Amish. I live in Ohio. Growing up, my mother's best friend (other than dad) was a Reformed Mennonite woman. As a family we would visit their church from time to time and have meals together. Aside from how they dressed they seemed like other people my parents knew: kind, funny, sincere, etc. If they were to where clothing like everyone else I would not be able to tell they were Reformed Mennonite.

The Amish are strange to me: denying certain technologies as a religious conviction. No amount of self-deprecating behavior gets one closer to The Father. Because of this, they are strong in tradition and weak in faith. Traditions, mostly religious, neutralize the power of the word of God in our lives. Absent the power of God, traditions of men will dictate behavior. When that happens the most vulnerable are exposed to the self-serving men. Like the Roman Catholics, there is rampant sexual and physical abuse among the Amish and children are typically the targets.
Click to expand...
I live in Pennsylvania and have been a member of a Mennonite congregation for about 20 years. I agree with your assessment of the Amish. I pity the children.
 
oyster67

oyster67

Senior Member
#14
May 24, 2014
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#14
We mainly stick to the KJV.

Sound doctrine, but with a couple cultural/traditional add-ons.
 
oyster67

oyster67

Senior Member
#15
May 24, 2014
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#15
wattie said:
Immersion baptism
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Mennonites are not finicky about the mode of water baptism. We baptize as an act of remembrance only. We, like you, believe salvation is by faith.

We practice foot washing also, but only as an act of remembrance.

wattie said:
Seperation from the state
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Mennonites are also very strong on separation of Church and State. No political involvements or affiliations within the membership. No voting and no service in this world's military organizations. We are citizens of Heavenly Zion.

As for me personally, I prefer to identify only as a Christian. Every denomination carries some sort of odd baggage along, Mennonites included.
 
HealthAndHappiness

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
#16
Jul 7, 2022
10,221
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Almost Heaven West Virginia
#16
persistent said:
You folks have given me, an armchair Christian as some one so aptly put it, a lot of really helpful info and I am truly grateful and I don't mind admitting how incredibly ignorant I am regarding the Bible. So, thru out my life I would on occasion think that if their were people of the Book it would probably be the Amish. Not that I "really" cared. So now after infesting this site for 4 whole days, almost, and having achieved "expertise" on the Bible I would really appreciate any opinions on Amish, Mennonite and or Hutterite beliefs. I have talked for some hours with a Mennonite preacher on the phone but I can't really say that it was very helpful. I have also watched videos of these groups on You Tube. All of this is still leading up to what group of Christians I should try and associate with as I have decided from all the input I get on this site that it is vital that we should fellowship in person. Thanks for all the great advice. P.S.I do really accept Jesus as my Savior for over a year now but have intentionally been isolating myself for over 4 years because that is when I realized I had to change my way of living.
Click to expand...
Persistent,

I have talked to numerous Mennonites, both old and new order. I enjoy their company and simpler, more primitive agricultural lifestyle. Their cultures are more old fashioned and center around communal living.
As to beliefs, I have yet to hear of any of the communal denominations that came from Germany to have a Biblical gospel. There are a variety of differences from one group to another, much based on their founders and leadership. However, they teach a works based salvation. The gospel of Jesus Christ gives Him all the glory because He did all of the work necessary for redemption. Their gospels teach that what He did on the cross was not sufficient and that they must do various things to obtain salvation through faith in these plus Jesus.
I provided a video that states a clear Biblical explanation if I remember correctly, on the grace of God and how He has dealt with our sins.
Anytime you have a question about that, don't hesitate to PM or ask.
 
A

Adstar

Senior Member
#17
Jul 24, 2016
7,577
3,615
113
#17
persistent said:
You folks have given me, an armchair Christian as some one so aptly put it, a lot of really helpful info and I am truly grateful and I don't mind admitting how incredibly ignorant I am regarding the Bible. So, thru out my life I would on occasion think that if their were people of the Book it would probably be the Amish. Not that I "really" cared. So now after infesting this site for 4 whole days, almost, and having achieved "expertise" on the Bible I would really appreciate any opinions on Amish, Mennonite and or Hutterite beliefs. I have talked for some hours with a Mennonite preacher on the phone but I can't really say that it was very helpful. I have also watched videos of these groups on You Tube. All of this is still leading up to what group of Christians I should try and associate with as I have decided from all the input I get on this site that it is vital that we should fellowship in person. Thanks for all the great advice. P.S.I do really accept Jesus as my Savior for over a year now but have intentionally been isolating myself for over 4 years because that is when I realized I had to change my way of living.
Click to expand...
The main problem i have with Amish is their isolationist tendency.. Part of being a Christian is getting out there and befriending people and sharing the Gospel with them.. Yes we should not be taking part in the excesses of people who are not believers.. But we are to love them.. So we need to be around and live next to unbelievers and get on with them as best as we can.. Once we go down the hermit route we end up being useless in regards to sharing the gospel with others..
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#18
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#18
persistent said:
You folks have given me, an armchair Christian as some one so aptly put it, a lot of really helpful info and I am truly grateful and I don't mind admitting how incredibly ignorant I am regarding the Bible. So, thru out my life I would on occasion think that if their were people of the Book it would probably be the Amish. Not that I "really" cared. So now after infesting this site for 4 whole days, almost, and having achieved "expertise" on the Bible I would really appreciate any opinions on Amish, Mennonite and or Hutterite beliefs. I have talked for some hours with a Mennonite preacher on the phone but I can't really say that it was very helpful. I have also watched videos of these groups on You Tube. All of this is still leading up to what group of Christians I should try and associate with as I have decided from all the input I get on this site that it is vital that we should fellowship in person. Thanks for all the great advice. P.S.I do really accept Jesus as my Savior for over a year now but have intentionally been isolating myself for over 4 years because that is when I realized I had to change my way of living.
Click to expand...
I saw a documentary about the Amish once. They can use certain technologies, but it has to be approved through a council.

One of the examples was they could have a landline telephone to make calls from, but it had to be kept at a certain distance from their home. This particular family had a phone booth setup across the street.

Things like smart phones were typically forbidden, though, because of the video games and information media they could access on them. In a way I can see how being sheltered from corruption on the Internet is a good thing.

As far as I know, they also don’t pay taxes. Turning Amish is probably just about the only way to avoid paying taxes in the US. They don’t pay taxes on the basis of religious conviction because tax money funds a lot of evil endeavors.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#19
#19
Runningman said:
I saw a documentary about the Amish once. They can use certain technologies, but it has to be approved through a council.

One of the examples was they could have a landline telephone to make calls from, but it had to be kept at a certain distance from their home. This particular family had a phone booth setup across the street.

Things like smart phones were typically forbidden, though, because of the video games and information media they could access on them. In a way I can see how being sheltered from corruption on the Internet is a good thing.

As far as I know, they also don’t pay taxes. Turning Amish is probably just about the only way to avoid paying taxes in the US. They don’t pay taxes on the basis of religious conviction because tax money funds a lot of evil endeavors.
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Hey Runningman, you may have that a bit wrong. I've watched most of the videos available on you tube and seems they don't in general pay in to social security or any healthcare. They also have some kind of deal with schooling since they generally focus on labor intense work. i.e. They aren't into education much beyond the eight grade. I'm almost sure they do pay taxes and in some areas they may even contribute additional for the damage to streets by their buggies since they don't buy much fuel in paying for road taxes.
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#20
Apr 21, 2021
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#20
persistent said:
All of this is still leading up to what group of Christians I should try and associate with as I have decided from all the input I get on this site that it is vital that we should fellowship in person.
Click to expand...
In my experience, you'll get a lot better advice from prayer and Bible study. Every person here has a different opinion. Why not go to the the source? After all, it's His will you want to do isn't it?
 
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