Out of This World
22-Stanza Hymns and a 90-minute Homily
The next morning, a Sunday, buggies pulled up in front of Raber's property. Bearded men in black suits piled into his basement to "salute one another with an holy kiss" (Rom. 16:16, KJV). They took their places on benches without backrests to the left of a makeshift lectern. The women came down from the first floor and sat on the other side.
A deep male voice intoned the first word of the Anabaptist hymn "O Herre, in deinem Thron" ("O Lord, in Thy Throne"); the others fell into a powerful a cappella in harmony, slowly, hauntingly, for 22 stanzas. More hymns were sung, followed by a one-hour sermon on Psalm 107 partly in English, partly in dialectical German. After more singing, another preacher gave a 90-minute homily on the Book of Daniel entirely in 16th-century German. It was all law. A lesson from one of the Gospels was read but left uncommented on; we were not taught the gospel's immensely liberating message that as redeemed sinners, we must boldly embrace our role as God's masks through which he carries out his hidden purposes, to borrow one of Luther's axioms.
When I left for St. Louis after the service, Raber told me that his flock would soon send out members to form new congregations far away. This was good news at the end of my stay in Little Arabia. Yet I knew that I could never join them. I am joyful over having experienced the Amish alternative to my own world. Did not Luther say in 1525, "There must be sects so that the spirits may clash"?
I have no wish to belittle the Amish—quite to the contrary. When I left Raber and his people, I was filled with gratitude that in their midst, I had found spiritual rest and regained the strength to return to my Lutheran reality of working with rolled-up sleeves in God's left-hand kingdom.
Uwe Siemon-Netto is director of the Center for Lutheran Theology and Public Life, which is affiliated with Concordia University in Irvine, California.
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OLAF RAASCH NZ
As it has been said by the Amish we have a much bigger package to carry as these delightful people. The worldliness that the Church of Christ (anywhere) is involved in, is right out death dealing without serious repentance. Our LORD used a solemn statement on this matter, Many are called, but few are chosen (to be in my kingdom). The Sorting Will Come When Our Lord calls. Dreadnought.olaf@gmail.com
Dave
If, as I suspect, each sect of Christianity reflects a part of the body of Christ...The Amish are certainly close to the heart. It's too easy to dwell on the imperfections of each Christian sect, momentarily forgetting that each of us have our own imperfections, Christ alone is the unifier. Yes it's good to visit each other, and bring away that truth so evident from our various parts.
Brian
Lutherans are good at only quoting Luther. I'm not sure why a Lutheran would be knocking the Amish inactivity in worldly things. It's not as if Lutherans are known for their high views of sanctification or cultural engagement. Geesh.