Forgiveness A Legacy Of The We

by Ruth John L

Paperback, 2007

Status

Available

Call number

B > Christianity

Description

This sensitive and thoughtful meditation reflects on the response of the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, where in 2006 a gunman killed five school children, wounded five others, then killed himself. 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. Fifth anniversary edition.

Publication

Herald Press (2007), 152 pages

User reviews

LibraryThing member khamneithang
The horrific events of October 2, 2006 is a reminder of the uncertainty, brutality and harshness of the times we are living in. The tragedy drew sharp reactions worldwide. But what is remembered today is not the brutality of the crime that was perpetrated on innocent children that fateful day but
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the response of the people living in and around the West Nickel Mines Amish School.

In his book Forgiveness: A Legacy of the West Nickel Mines Amish School, John Ruth who is an authority on Anabaptist history deals with what he is familiar at – the Anabaptists and the teachings that are ingrained in them which brought about the benevolent act of forgiveness. Without mincing words, he says that forgiveness is sometimes a selfish act because it is more likely to benefit the person who forgives than the one receiving forgiveness.

It is a good book that will help readers understand what the Anabaptists stood for, but if exclusively viewed in the light of the tragic events of October 2, 2006 alone, one may find the issue is not adequately addressed. However, it is a book that must be devoured by any right-thinking person, irrespective of our religious beliefs.
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Call number

B > Christianity

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

152 p.; 7 inches

ISBN

0836193733 / 9780836193732
Page: 0.0857 seconds