Why Be Plain? A Biblical Response

Why Be Plain? A Biblical Response

It is no secret that, over the decades, tens of thousands of adults who have been born and raised in Plain communities have decided to abandon their Plain lifestyle. Most have done it fully understanding the consequences. They knew their family members and friends would excommunicate them from their church and shun them for the rest of their lives. Some knew they would forfeit their livelihood or an inheritance, yet still, they were willing to pay the price. The exodus from Plain communities never stops. To address this perennial problem, Old Order Mennonite authors Larry S. Weaver and Terry B. Zimmerman co-authored a book titled, Why Be Plain? Their purpose was to persuade Plain people to remain Plain. Appealing to Scripture, they addressed the common reasons Plain people offer for their exodus. But are Weaver and Zimmerman’s arguments based on a sound and honest interpretation of the Bible? Are Plain ordnungs scriptural? Is it biblical to excommunicate and shun unrepentant ordnung-violators? Must church members all agree on issues which Scripture does not address? Is it possible for broken Plain families to be reconciled? Are modern Plain people practicing the same faith as their Anabaptist forefathers? These questions, and many like them, are answered in Why Be Plain? A Biblical Response.