Trouble in Amish Paradise is an amazing true story about Ephraim and Jesse Stoltzfus and and their respective families who go through the process of leaving the Amish community after reading and studying the Bible for themselves (something which is forbidden in many Amish circles). The clarity of the gospel message and the theme of the powerful effect of these families’ faith in Jesus throughout this documentary is truly astonishing. It is produced with the usual quality of any good BBC production, yet the message of salvation and hope in Jesus is as strong as if it had been produced by a Christian media group.
I have had the privilege of meeting several of the people featured in this work, people whose lives are being poured out for Christ’s Kingdom; and my prayer is that the usual “buzz” generated around a media production of this nature would bring glory to God and bring more people to know, understand and embrace the life and teachings of Jesus for themselves as a result of watching this story.
Broadcast exclusively in the UK on February 18th, it averaged 2.2 million viewers. From what I hear, it is set to broadcast in the US sometime next month. Over 100 hours of footage was condensed into this one hour video chronicling the events of shunning, tent revival meetings, life-threatening illness in the family, and so much more.
For now, you can watch the first ten minutes of it from Youtube, below.
FURTHER READING:
From the BBC’s website:
An extraordinary insight into the secretive world of the Old Order Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
When two radical Amish men, Ephraim and Jesse Stoltzfus, start to question some of the most fundamental aspects of their Amish culture, they face excommunication from their church and total rejection by their friends and family.
- Broadcast on: BBC Two, 9:00pm Wednesday 18th February 2009
- Duration: 60 minutes
Update 3/14/2009: I was just made aware through a comment by Arlen Beiler about the new website www.troubleinamishparadise.com. They have some slideshows featuring scenes similar to what is found in the documentary, Ephraim and Jesse Stoltzfus’ personal testimonies and links to Christian and Anabaptist resources as well as a preview of the new book being written by Ephraim.
Posted on March 2nd, 2009 by Josh Champagne
Filed under: Evangelism, News and Current Events, Research & Learning
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I am a Dutch viewer. The documentary about the Amish, was the best I have seen yet. It offers a very insightful inside view on members of closed religious societies in a transitional period.
Click on my name for more information about Ephraim Stoltzfus.
I watched this documentary and it provided an unbiased look into the Amish community. I previously thought they were just backward and hated anyone who didn’t partake in their way of life, but I realised that my views were completely untrue. They seem to be a strong community, who do not use certain technologies of modern life. They are a very close knit community, who appear to be fair and caring towards one and another. A sad but interesting dilemma arises when Ephraim’s daughter is diagonosed with leaukaemia. Car rides are shunned, but he accepts one from the crew to help his daughter. Even after being ex-communicated, the community still support his family. They are human too and they and hurt just like the rest of us, The difference is that they put complete and utter faith and trust in God. They don’t depend on man or technology for their lives. I think that other Christians can learn from the Amish just to see how much we value material items.
I have just watched this documentary on ABC TV in Australia and was so excited and moved by it. My heart goes out to those beautiful Amish families who are hungering after God and being persecuted for that. I have always loved the Amish culture but I didn’t realise how far from the word of God and the message of grace they were. I was encouraged and inspired by the courage and boldness of the Stoltzfus family and would love tosend them a message to encourage them tokeep seeking answers in the bible and that there are christians on the other side of the world praying for them and the Amish community. If anyone has any way of contacting them please let me know.
I can’t seem to get it to work and really want to see it.
I think i have the answer? but its a 50-50 thing for me.
Will there be a follow-up? Really would like to know how these families are doing?
There is a follow-up planned. The BBC crew was at Charity Christian Fellowship in Leola, Pennsylvania (where Ephraim Stoltzfus attends) on a recent Sunday filming part of the service. Not sure when filming will be complete or when it will be a wrap or when it will air in the UK, Australia etc.
[...] Amish Paradise, the sequel to Trouble in Amish Paradise is now airing in the UK. In it, we follow the continuing saga of Ephraim and Amanda Stoltzfus as [...]
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