2013/11/01 by Christopher Petrovich · 6 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Agriculture and Farm Safety #Sanctification #Spirituality #Protestantism #Sermon #Piety #Theology #Faith #Enlightenment #Supper #Religious studies #Divinity #Narrative #Philosophy #Praxis #Epistemology
paper · doi:10.1177/193979091300600206
published in Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care 6(2), 229-254 (SAGE Publishing)
openalex publication_date 2013/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Evangelical Protestant spirituality, under the influence of the Enlightenment, has assumed a somewhat modernist flavor. As a result, traditional forms of religious symbol and piety were demoted in favor of religious affections, true spirituality was now discerned by means of “heart knowledge,” and the assurance of salvation assumed a place of prominence in the emerging market of spiritual autobiography. This essay explores several ways that a non-monastic, non-modern Protestant tradition, which lives according to a community rule, can contribute to the spiritual formation conversation. I begin by introducing the reader to the Amish narrative and discuss how two theological themes shape their approach to spirituality–-the cross of Christ and the relationship between faith and works, justification and sanctification. Next, I question a common view of Jesus’ ministry as being diametrically opposed to that of the Pharisees and suggest that the Sermon on the Mount deserves to be central to the enterprise of spiritual formation. I conclude this essay by revealing how the Amish put spiritual theology into practice, via a locally constructed Ordnung and while seated around the supper table.