On October 2, 2006, a gunman killed five Amish girls in a Pennsylvania hamlet. A stunned nation watched as the children were laid to rest---and as their grieving parents forgave the murderer. How could they pardon such a heinous act? The authors explore this question and reveal how God's mercy can triumph in our vengeful world. 288 pages, hardcover from Jossey-Bass.
When a gunman killed five Amish children and injured five others last fall in a Nickel Mines, Pa., schoolhouse, media attention rapidly turned from the tragic events to the extraordinary forgiveness demonstrated by the Amish community. The authors, who teach at small colleges with Anabaptist roots and have published books on the Amish, were contacted repeatedly by the media after the shootings to interpret this subculture. In response to the questions "why-and how-did they forgive?" Kraybill and his colleagues present a compelling study of "Amish grace." After describing the heartbreaking attack and its aftermath, the authors establish that forgiveness is embedded in Amish society through five centuries of Anabaptist tradition, and grounded in the firm belief that forgiveness is required by the New Testament. The community's acts of forgiveness were not isolated decisions by saintly individuals but hard-won "countercultural" practices supported by all aspects of Amish life. Common objections to Amish forgiveness are addressed in a chapter entitled, "What About Shunning?" The authors carefully distinguish between forgiveness, pardon and reconciliation, as well as analyze the complexities of mainstream America's response and the extent to which the Amish example can be applied elsewhere. This intelligent, compassionate and hopeful book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on forgiveness. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kimberly Koniewicz (Hamilton, NY), February 10, 2009
A real inside look of the tragic event and the Amish ways. Every informative. Tells you what the feel and how they view life. God is really number 1 for them. We can learn alot from the Amish
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by James Hrubesh (West Pittston, PA), January 07, 2009
The father of two of the victims of the shooting recommended the book to me. What a better recommendation! A tremendous book that gives understanding of the Amish culture and their faith demonstrated in works- in this case forgiveness.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Robert Cox (Sevierville, TN), December 13, 2008
An easy to read but very thought provoking book about a very tragic event. It also gave a fairly detailed discussion of Amish practices which should be informative to anyone looking beyond the tourist picture of the Amish.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Teri Perry (Edwardsville, IL), September 29, 2008
This is an interesting observation on the act of forgiveness. We can all learn from the Amish and it is an interesting read. If you have ever had to forgive someone for an "unforgivable crime", this is a must read.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Traci Frantz (Strasburg, Pennsylvania), November 01, 2007
This book brings everything into perspective and explains how gracious the Amish people are. I live among the Amish of Lancaster County and only 10 min. from the shooting site. To understand them is to live among them.
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