This chapter is called "Faith and Doctrine: 'Stand Fast and Believe the Word as Written'". The chapter starts out with a short story. It was about a little named Faron Y. Everyone told him that he would make a good preacher. One day while camping, he asked God for sign if he's going to be a preacher. Suddenly, he looked up and saw three shooting stars.
Then, the book goes on to explain how a minister is chosen. Members of the Church vote on nominees. Then they take a few of the nominees and give them a religious book. Inside one book, there will be a piece of paper. If you got the paper, you were the new minister whether you liked it or not. Norman Y was became a minister this way. He was surprised but happy. He often preaches about Creationism and is angered by the fact that most people believe in evolution. He says that evolution has no solid proof.
Ruth G is a middle aged mother. Where she lives, they recently got a new minister. She excited because the last one wasn't very good, but nobody could do anything. God "chose" him. Next, Kathyrn L, Eli K, Emma M, and Faron Y all say that God works in mystery ways.
Next, the book goes on to talk about average American "churchgoer" differ from the Amish. The average have worldly goods. The average sermon talks about being good and going to Heaven; however, most Amish sermons talk about if you mess up, you're going to Hell. The Amish Church has a sense of suffering.
Then, the books goes on to talk about two books that most Amish people have in their homes. First is the Martyr's Mirror. It is a compilation of first person narrative stories about martyrs and their lives. The second is the Ausbund. It was written when a group of Amish people were imprisoned for their faith. When they were jail, they sang songs about Jesus. The songs were so beautiful that they all got out of prison. The Amish people read these books and feel good. They want to be Amish because of this.
Next is Lydia T. She was mentioned in several previous chapters. She was going to leave the Church, but then her father bought her a new buggy. Now, she is ready to leave again, but her parents don't want her leaving. For her 21st birthday, her Amish friends throw her birthday party at her house. Now more than ever, she wants to leave. She tells her parents she's moving out. They try to bribe her to stay, but she says no. She sells her buggy and buys a red car. But she's worried that she won't get into Heaven. She now goes to a Mennonite Church.
Next is DeWayne C. He has decided to leave the Church. The next day, three men came to his house to conceive him to stay, but he says no. The next day, three more come, but again they leave unhappy. He got baptized in the White Pigeon church. Only his little brother came there.
Next is Matt E and Lorina L. They love each other and are both in Rumspringa. They are having a hard time whether or not to join the Church.
Next is Stephen L. Yoder. He is a Beachy Amish bishop. He blames the Amish Church for being inconsistent. He thinks they shouldn't have Rumspringa.
Next is Velda B. She wants to leave the Church but doesn't want to go to Hell. She used date an older Mennonite, but they have broken up. Then, she starts going out with an Amish guy, and they party together. She recently had a picture taken in an "English" outfit. She thought it was really pretty. She's now studying to be baptized to be a member of the Amish Church, but she's sad on the inside.
Next is Emma M and Faron Y. They met at a party, and they're in love. They have deep conversations about God.
Next is Joann H. She also used to party, but she realized that partying is dumb. She lives with a roommate but gets kicked out. In need of a place, she moves in with an uncle who left the Church. She has been calling her Amish father. He apologized for the past and washed away the bitterness. Joann moves back and joins the Church. Many like Joann end up coming back. God just works in mystery ways.
This chapter was very fast moving. I have started to recognize some of the names. I am starting to form a bond with the interviewee in this book. It's really interesting. There's a lot of information.
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