Leaving Amish Paradise

I think what touched me most about Trouble in Amish Paradise, was the complacency that I had in *thinking* because the Amish lived such a *life* that somehow they were *saved.*


When in reality, their religion is not saving them anymore than any other religion.  The realization that one should be able to read the Bible in their own language was similarly echoed during the Reformation in the 1600s.


I am encouraged by the ongoing growth that is evidenced between the 2009 documentary and the 2011.  It will be interesting, if we are allowed, to watch their continued growth.


This is the second documentary for the Amish families.  The first documentary can be viewed-->HERE.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

To view their website, go-->HERE.

Formality

The previous post on the religiosity of the Amish was not on my mind when I read the booklet on Formality by J.C. Ryle...until I re-watched the segments. The Amish (as well as many other religious institutions) have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.

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By J.C. Ryle

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof“—2 Timothy 3:5.

“He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God”—Romans 2:28-29.

The texts which head this page deserve serious attention at any time. But they deserve especial notice in this age of the church and world. Never since the Lord Jesus Christ left the earth was there so much formality and false profession as there is in the present day. Now, if ever, we ought to examine ourselves, and search our religion, that we may know of what sort it is. Let us try to find out whether our Christianity is a thing of form or a thing of heart.

I know no better way of unfolding the subject than by turning to a plain passage of the Word of God. Let us hear what St. Paul says about it. He lays down the following great principles in his epistle to the Romans: “He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Rom. 2:28-29). Three most instructive lessons appear to me to stand out on the face of that passage. Let us see what they are.

1. We learn first, that formal religion is not religion, and a formal Christian is not a Christian in God’s sight.

2. We learn secondly, that the heart is the seat of true religion and that the true Christian is the Christian in heart.

3. We learn thirdly, that true religion must never expect to be popular. It will not have the “praise of man, but of God.” Let us thoroughly consider these great principles. Two hundred years have passed away since a mighty Puritan divine said, “Formality, formality, formality is the great sin of England at this day, under which the land groans. There is more light than there was, but less life; more shadow, but less substance; more profession, but less sanctification” (Thomas Hall, on 2 Tim. 3:5, 1658.) What would this good man have said if he had lived in our times?

To continue reading, go-->HERE.

Man Made Rules or Word of God?

Which one dictates how we shall live?

Making up a set of man made rules of conformity?  Dressing in a particular way?  Driving only certain types of vehicles?  I say no, Father tells us to be in the world, but not of the world.  Any 'religion' whether it is Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and yes, even the Amish, which set up a set of rules to obey, rather than emphasizing a relationship with God will not produce fruit unto righteousness.

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Day 340

W. Book of Ephesians ~ cont.

2. Believer's new life in the true church ~ cont.

b. Controlled by the spirit - Ephesians 5:1-33

c. Domestic life of the believer - Ephesians 6:1-24

X. Book of Philippians

1. Christ is the believer's life - Philippians 1:1-30

2. Christ is the believer's example - Philippians 2:1-30; 3:1-21

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather of giving thanks. (Ephesians 5:3-4)

That word fornication is used repeatedly in scripture - I had thought to see how often, but do not think I completed the process.  It is interesting that when the Council of Jerusalem met to discuss what the Gentile converts should or should not do, this was one of the four admonitions.  Onward to my word study.  :-)  The word fornication is used 36x in 32 verses throughout the OT/NT - 4x in the OT, and 32X.  There are 5 different words Hebrew or Greek words translated as fornication.

H2181 - A primitive root (highly fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively to commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the spouse of Jehovah).

Used 93x in 82 verses. The few verses I browsed had the word translated as harlot, whore or whoring.  It appears from a very brief examination that the word is used in referring to how God's chosen people either played the harlot/whore or went a whoring after the nations around them.

H8457 - From H2181; harlotry, that is, (figuratively) idolatry.

Used 20x in 19 verses.  Fornication(s) and whoredom(s) - the actual acts themselves.  Israel and Judah could not, or would not, keep themselves from being immersed into the pagan cultures around them.  I wonder, when I look at the 'church' today, does Father see the same thing in us?

G1608 - From G1537 and G4203; to be utterly unchaste.

Used 1x in Jude 1:7 - referencing Sodom and Gomorrah and the going after strange flesh.

G4202 - From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry.

Used 26 x in 25 verses.  Translated each time as fornication.

G4203 - From G4204; to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry.

Used 8x in 7 verses.  Five of the verses are in Revelation.

Lest the Bride get puffed up, she is no different from her idolatrous sisters Israel and Judah.  Those who (hypothetically) pound their chest and puff it out in admiration of being 'born again' and 'filled with the spirit' yet look no different from the world need to examine themselves.  Father tells us, repeatedly, to come out of her (the world) to be set apart and holy.  Additionally, one may be keeping themselves 'unspotted' from the world in the physical sense.  But what about the mind?  The major battleground.  Are we taking all those thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ?  Desiring to think on those things which are honoring to Him?

A chilling thought, if we are fornicators in our minds, how does this verse apply?


1Co 6:9-10  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

Father, help Your Bride to be cleansed and purified from the world.  To bring into captivity, EVERY thought unto the obedience in Christ Jesus.