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Forgiveness: A Legacy of the West Nickel Mines Amish School
This book has been revised and this version is Out of Print. Please reference 978-0-8361-9573-6 Revised Edition.
This sensitive and thoughtful meditation on the horrific events of October 2, 2006, reflects on the response of the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where a gunman killed himself, five school children, and wounded five others. The tragic crime evoked expressions of shock and sympathy worldwide. But even many Christians were stunned when the Amish community, in the midst of its grieving, offered words of forgiveness toward the dead killer and his family. John L. Ruth considers that extraordinary forgiveness as the legacy of that heartbreaking day.
This sensitive and thoughtful meditation on the horrific events of October 2, 2006, reflects on the response of the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where a gunman killed himself, five school children, and wounded five others. The tragic crime evoked expressions of shock and sympathy worldwide. But even many Christians were stunned when the Amish community, in the midst of its grieving, offered words of forgiveness toward the dead killer and his family. John L. Ruth considers that extraordinary forgiveness as the legacy of that heartbreaking day.
- GenresReligionChristianity
151 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 17, 2022
A powerful little book, about incredibly potent events (the Amish forgiveness of a man who killed five girls in a school shooting), by a brilliantly Mennonite storyteller who lets the events speak for themselves, then the people speak for themselves, then the Amish heritage speak for itself, then the Hutterites and Mennonites and Muslims and Presbyterians and East Africans who wrestle with the psychological necessity for forgiveness--and the power of Jesus Christ that can accomplish it.
It is an exemplary book for the understanding of how history means theologically. Which is another way to say how God is at work in and around you.
It is an exemplary book for the understanding of how history means theologically. Which is another way to say how God is at work in and around you.
November 18, 2013
Tried to get into this book. It's a fine book. The topic is relevant and ever-necessary. I guess I had to concentrate too darn hard to understand the path of the words, when my reading time was bedtime. More like a theological dissertation than the how-to manual that I think I need. Not that I've read any theological dissertations.
September 4, 2018
An absolutely fantastic conversation regarding the horrific tragedy of Oct. 6, 2006. You can read the cover to see what the tragedy is specifically.
Somehow, I previously knew nothing about this event. So incredibly shocking. It's proof that none of us are immune to violence. But, it's the "message" detailed in this book that is the key part.
A riveting tale of how these people so quickly and completely forgave the person who killed so many of their own. It was absolute. No strings attached.
What a great example for all of us to follow. What many of us already know is that staying angry and unforgiving only hurts us and not the other person. When we can engage in and really forgive others, no matter what they have done, that is when we feel can finally find peace and move forward in our lives. But more importantly, only by doing this can we truly be living by God's words and example.
This book does get bogged down a bit with the theological aspect. I've put sticky notes all over my copy so I can research and read more later.
A friend of mine recommended this book to me as I have been exploring the Mennonite faith and am currently trying to understand and accept their stance as "conscientious objectors." This is well worth the read, I think.
Somehow, I previously knew nothing about this event. So incredibly shocking. It's proof that none of us are immune to violence. But, it's the "message" detailed in this book that is the key part.
A riveting tale of how these people so quickly and completely forgave the person who killed so many of their own. It was absolute. No strings attached.
What a great example for all of us to follow. What many of us already know is that staying angry and unforgiving only hurts us and not the other person. When we can engage in and really forgive others, no matter what they have done, that is when we feel can finally find peace and move forward in our lives. But more importantly, only by doing this can we truly be living by God's words and example.
This book does get bogged down a bit with the theological aspect. I've put sticky notes all over my copy so I can research and read more later.
A friend of mine recommended this book to me as I have been exploring the Mennonite faith and am currently trying to understand and accept their stance as "conscientious objectors." This is well worth the read, I think.
January 15, 2021
This is a touching and lovely meditation on the Amish and their commitment to the Beatitudes and forgiveness. It includes history of the Amish and quite a few anecdotes. Media attention after the killings at the West Nickel Mines Amish School led to this reflective little volume. Well worth reading.
August 24, 2011
The horrible tragedy of the shooting of several Amish girls in Pennsylvania on Oct 2, 2006 has almost been overshadowed by the prompt and complete forgiveness offered the killer by the Amish families who lost loved ones. In this small, but thorough book, John Ruth looks at this extraordinary act of forgiveness in the context of Amish and Anabaptist history and beliefs. In so doing he reinforces the example the Amish are, for all Christians and anyone who has been wronged and is dealing with the after effects of injury, anger, and betrayal.
Especially unique in this book is Ruth's insights into the songs sung by Amish in their worship, many which communicate the forgiveness they received from Jesus and their need to forgive as Jesus did. As expected Ruth looks at the history of Anabaptists and the record of pesecution they endured as recorded in the Martyr's Mirror, especially the courageous and almost legendary act of Dirk Willems in rescuing his pursurer from certain death in a frozen river only to lose his life by being burned at the stake for his beliefs.
Much of what Ruth writes is worth remembering and repeating. "In accepting the mind of Christ, we covet with him and each other to forget, not the particulars of what has happened, but the possibility of getting condign satisfaction, by our own definition, for our resentment. When we say "Forgive and forget," it's not that we will try to ease mentally what has happened. What we forget is the imagination of the right to have emotional payback in a trespasser's punishment" (Page 95).
Neither Ruth or the Amish pretend that forgiveness is easy or that the pain of mistreatment, loss, and injury is quickly overcome. The Amish grieve as much as anyone when they lose loved ones. However Ruth reminds us that there are good, reasonable, and even selfish reasons to forgive. Forgiveness is more likely to benefit the one doing the forgiving than the target of forgiveness. Ruth reminds the reader that forgiveness is a process, not something done and completed in a moment. He writes of one wronged person, "...surprised to be given, as a Christian, not only the grace to forgive at a specific moment, but more importantly, the possibility to live in forgiveness" (page 107). He asks the question; "Is forgiveness any more illogical than vengeance?"
These are important questions and ideas that give us much to think about, but there is still work to be done to completely understand the nature, definition, and act of forgiveness. Another question that should be asked is: How does one obtain the strength to forgive? Does it come from God or the Holy Spirit, and if so than why is it that courageous acts of forgiveness are also found in people who are not Christians? The answer is of course that one does not necessarily have to be a Christian to have access to or be the recipient of the power to forgive.
Ruth's book is not a complete look at the act of forgiveness. There is much more that could be said. His goal is to examine forgiveness in the context of this particular tragic event.
Especially unique in this book is Ruth's insights into the songs sung by Amish in their worship, many which communicate the forgiveness they received from Jesus and their need to forgive as Jesus did. As expected Ruth looks at the history of Anabaptists and the record of pesecution they endured as recorded in the Martyr's Mirror, especially the courageous and almost legendary act of Dirk Willems in rescuing his pursurer from certain death in a frozen river only to lose his life by being burned at the stake for his beliefs.
Much of what Ruth writes is worth remembering and repeating. "In accepting the mind of Christ, we covet with him and each other to forget, not the particulars of what has happened, but the possibility of getting condign satisfaction, by our own definition, for our resentment. When we say "Forgive and forget," it's not that we will try to ease mentally what has happened. What we forget is the imagination of the right to have emotional payback in a trespasser's punishment" (Page 95).
Neither Ruth or the Amish pretend that forgiveness is easy or that the pain of mistreatment, loss, and injury is quickly overcome. The Amish grieve as much as anyone when they lose loved ones. However Ruth reminds us that there are good, reasonable, and even selfish reasons to forgive. Forgiveness is more likely to benefit the one doing the forgiving than the target of forgiveness. Ruth reminds the reader that forgiveness is a process, not something done and completed in a moment. He writes of one wronged person, "...surprised to be given, as a Christian, not only the grace to forgive at a specific moment, but more importantly, the possibility to live in forgiveness" (page 107). He asks the question; "Is forgiveness any more illogical than vengeance?"
These are important questions and ideas that give us much to think about, but there is still work to be done to completely understand the nature, definition, and act of forgiveness. Another question that should be asked is: How does one obtain the strength to forgive? Does it come from God or the Holy Spirit, and if so than why is it that courageous acts of forgiveness are also found in people who are not Christians? The answer is of course that one does not necessarily have to be a Christian to have access to or be the recipient of the power to forgive.
Ruth's book is not a complete look at the act of forgiveness. There is much more that could be said. His goal is to examine forgiveness in the context of this particular tragic event.
September 21, 2015
On Oct. 2, 2006 a gunman killed himself, 5 children and wounded 5 others in the Amish community school of Nickel Mines, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The astonishing response of the Amish community to the killer and his family stunned the world. How could these simple Amish so completely and quickly forgive and even reach out to the killer's family. It boggles the mind until one realizes that this community takes the words and example of Jesus literally. Jesus called us to forgive and so they did and do.
John L. Ruth, a Mennonite minister and author tells the story with great sympathy. He includes the background of the killer with his own Christian wife and Bible knowledge. Ruth also takes us through the history of the Mennonites, Amish, and other groups of Anabaptist; back to origins and persecutions in Europe.
It is a short, well-written, thought-provoking book about the wonder of forgiveness.
The astonishing response of the Amish community to the killer and his family stunned the world. How could these simple Amish so completely and quickly forgive and even reach out to the killer's family. It boggles the mind until one realizes that this community takes the words and example of Jesus literally. Jesus called us to forgive and so they did and do.
John L. Ruth, a Mennonite minister and author tells the story with great sympathy. He includes the background of the killer with his own Christian wife and Bible knowledge. Ruth also takes us through the history of the Mennonites, Amish, and other groups of Anabaptist; back to origins and persecutions in Europe.
It is a short, well-written, thought-provoking book about the wonder of forgiveness.
May 28, 2009
Just finished reading this book for my women's Bible study group. If you are looking for a concise history of the Amish, this might be an interesting read. If you are looking for a book about the forgiveness in the midst of the Nickel Mines tragedy, you might continue searching for another book. It is touched on in the opening chapters, but not so much after that.
August 18, 2009
A really good understanding of the Amish and the aftermath of the Nickel Mines disaster. For those of us to whom this is foreign, he helps us understand forgiveness in the context of their community.
November 13, 2012
This was a very helpful response to the Amish response of providing forgiveness after the school house shooting. It is a simple read, written by a pastor. I found it to be very helpful as I contemplate thoughts on Christian forgiveness.
June 9, 2008
so far so good
March 16, 2008
A new look at forgiveness in the face of raw evil. Much over which to muse.
July 15, 2009
Impressive and humbling
July 10, 2014
I appreciate how this account does not hold the Amish on a pedestal, but shows a dynamic community poised for God's Kingdom to break into the world.
September 29, 2009
Very compelling retelling of the Nickel Mines school shooting. Read it three years after the event and was quite moved by the story of forgiveness.
Read
August 21, 2010Church library - Good explanation of Amish approach to forgiveness
December 6, 2012
This book has challenged me to delve deeper into submission to God and the practice of forgiveness.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews