E-mail this storyTuesday, March 18, 2008
‘Amish Grace’ named a 2008 Christianity Today Book Award of Merit
Goshen College Professor of History Steven M. Nolt, a leading expert on the Amish, is one of the co-authors of the book, along with Senior Fellow at the Young Center of Elizabethtown College Donald B. Kraybill and Associate Professor of American Religious History at Messiah College David L. Weaver-Zercher. The book explores the history, theology and culture of the Amish, connecting forgiveness to their entire way of life. The book is based on conversations with more than two dozen Amish people in the Nickel Mines area, including family members of the slain children.
For two decades, the annual Christianity Today Book Awards have recognized outstanding volumes that shed light on people, events and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought and mission. This year, 49 publishers nominated 359 titles published in 2007. Rather than naming one overall winner, Christianity Today editors selected the top books in each category, and then panels of judges – one panel per category – voted. In the end, they chose 10 winners and also recognized 11 awards of merit. For a complete list of award winning books and authors, visit www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/april/10.28.html.
Following the Oct. 2, 2006, shooting, the three authors explored reports about Amish forgiveness that followed in the wake of the shooting. They conducted many interviews with Amish people to probe their beliefs about and their practice of forgiveness. In addition they studied Amish writings on forgiveness as well as other historical examples in which Amish people expressed forgiveness to those who had wronged them, and reviewed hundreds of news stories and editorials on Amish forgiveness at Nickel Mines. Finally, the authors compared Amish practices of forgiveness with the broader research on forgiveness in American society. The research was conducted from Nov. 1, 2006 through April 1, 2007.
The book has received much high acclaim, including being featured on Bill Moyers Journal and being listed on Publishers Weekly's Best of 2007 list (one of 15 religion titles). For more information, visit www.amishgrace.com.
Nolt has taught at Goshen College since 1999. He received a doctorate in history from the University of Notre Dame, and a graduate theology degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Nolt has studied Amish history and culture across many settlements. His books on the Amish include “A History of the Amish” (rev. ed., Good Books, 2003); “Amish Enterprise: From Plows to Profits” (second ed., with Donald B. Kraybill, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004); “Plain Diversity: Amish Cultures and Identities” (with Thomas J. Meyers, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007); and “Mennonites, Amish, and the American Civil War” (with James O. Lehman, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007).
Because the authors did not want to profit off of this tragedy, all author royalties from “Amish Grace” are being donated to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to benefit children suffering because of poverty, war and natural disaster. MCC is a relief, development and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches.
Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.
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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.
