Amisch alli Daag : fromhet i funktion? : Efterföljelsen gestaltad i amishfolkets kyrkoliv

The thesis focuses on the way the Amish view their life and actions as Christians. With its basis in first-hand observations from the settlements of Dover (DE) and Lancaster (PA) the inquiry describes, analyzes and interprets the ecclesiastical life of the Old Order Amish from an ecclesiological viewpoint.

Utilizing a specific model of analysis the dissertation examines the institutions (church/family/school), the process of initiation (baptism/communion), and the ecclesiastical activities (wedding/ordination/worship services/devotional life) of the Amish church. In addition ways in which the members of this religious group interact with each other and relate to the secular state and to the outsiders are scrutinized.

The key concepts are drawn from the specific religious context in which they are continuously used, i.e. they emanate from the vocabulary adopted by the conservative branch of the Amish church. Such basic elements are e.g. The Dordrecht Confession of Faith (1632), the principle of imitating Christ (Nachfolge), the humility concept (Demut), the ecclesiastical rules (Ordnung), the separation motif (Absonderung) and the fellowship of the baptized believers (Gemee). Interwoven into the ecclesiastical activities are unique theological and ecclesiological aspects.

Factors of crucial importance in the Amish church are: mutually accepted but orally transmitted ecclesiastical rules; co-operation between members and ordained leaders; initiation of new members into the church by instruction and baptism; integration of members by exhorting them to marry according to traditional customs; worship services held in private homes; daily devotions carried out in family units presupposing a traditional lifestyle; diaconic activities; separation preventing the Amish from assimilating with the prevailing society.

The investigation pays attention to the fact that the Nachfolge-motif is gradually changing as Amish are forced to new interpretations caused by escalating social changes in the outside world and by occupational changes among themselves. The analysis gives evidence that baptism alone does not incorporate the candidate into full membership status: participation in communion is required for completing the membership.

The Nachfolge-perspective and the principle of humility (Demut) are the primary factors, the ecclesiological hub, around which all the investigated activities revolve. This is the concluding statement of the dissertation.