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Amanda Susan White-Steele is a minor character in the Left Behind series. She was a friend of Rayford Steele's first wife Irene, who was raptured along with most of Amanda's family. Amanda and Irene met at New Hope Village Church, and quickly became friends. After the Rapture, Bruce Barnes introduced Rayford to Amanda. Soon, they became engaged (on the same day Buck Williams and Chloe Steele were engaged) and were married (also on the same day as Buck and Chloe).

Biography[]

Before the Rapture[]

Amanda recollects that she had been in a "dead church" all her life until her husband was invited to a church outing at New Hope Village Church. Her husband insisted that they check out the Sunday services at New Hope Village Church. Amanda's initial impression of salvation in Christianity was that it sounded "white-trashy" to her. Amanda admits that during this phase in her life, she was very prideful. Her family kept encouraging her to go to a women's Bible Study at New Hope Village Church where she would ultimately meet Irene Steele. Amanda initially thought she would not like it because it would just be "frumpy middle-aged women talking about being sinners saved by grace". Amanda first attended Bible study by arriving at one of the parishioner's home who was hosting the study. Contrary to her expectations, they "looked so normal" and were wonderful to her. Amanda immediately noticed Irene among them as she had an aura that exuded "peace, gentleness, a kindness, and serenity" that Amanda never saw in anyone else. Irene then told Amanda how to receive Christ and warned her not to put it off, but Amanda said that she was not ready for that yet. Irene then told Amanda that she would pray for her. That night, the Rapture happened.

After the Rapture[]

For nearly a year after the Rapture, Rayford and Amanda saw each other every Sunday and on the occasional midweek meeting of the core Tribulation Force group. Rayford was impressed with her constant presence at the church, that she continually prayed for people, and talked about people's standing with God. Soon, they became engaged and were married.

The couple moved to New Babylon so that Rayford could continue his piloting duties for Nicolae Carpathia. When the Wrath Of The Lamb earthquake occurred, she was on a flight from Boston to Baghdad. The pilot tried to land, but the wreckage from the earthquake made that impossible. The pilot was forced back into the air.

However, the plane had almost no fuel and little speed, and therefore crashed into the Tigris River. Rayford was frantic for months after the quake because he did not believe she was dead. Eventually he SCUBA dived to the wreckage with Mac McCullum, where they finally found Amanda's body. Carpathia had planted information that Amanda was working against the Tribulation Force, and this was further evidenced by interaction by computer between him and Amanda. However, Hattie Durham eventually reveals that this was all a plant. Though no Seal of God appeared on her forehead at that point, she was still a true believer.

Just before a resurrected Amanda appeared after the Glorious Appearing of Jesus, Rayford asked Chaim Rosenzweig what type of relationship he would have with Amanda and his first wife Irene in the Millennial Kingdom. Chaim quoted Jesus' answer to the question when the Sadducees asked him. Chaim answered that those who are resurrected would neither marry nor be given in marriage. Amanda and Irene appear together with Irene pulling Amanda close. Rayford remarked that he was afraid that he meeting Amanda and Irene together would be awkward. Irene said that she did not begrudge Rayford for taking a good wife and companion during her absence after she was raptured. She added that Jesus is all that matters now.

Amanda then told Irene that her character and witness brought her to the Lord. Irene replied that she did not recall making any impression upon Amanda. Amanda said that Irene really did not try to make an impression on her but that Irene simply did.

Amanda later appears after the second coming of Jesus along with Rayford's first wife Irene. She is also seen at Mac's 1000th birthday party in the Millennial Kingdom period along with her first husband who was raptured.

Physical description[]

Amanda is described as a "tall, handsome woman a couple of years Rayford's senior" who had "streaked hair and impeccable taste in clothes".

Behind the scenes[]

A critical view[]

Fred Clark argues that Amanda White exists within the story largely to vindicate the lifestyles of the Christian women who read the Left Behind series. Since Amanda was impressed with Irene Steele's piety as it made a profound impact upon her that she would eventually become saved after the Rapture. Fred Clark notes that Irene Steele similar to the female readers of the series since they often go to Bible study, largely detached from secular affairs, and sometimes uneasy that their mundane lives of piety would not amount to much. Through Irene's impact on Amanda, Irene is shown to be a "heroic model of faithfulness that left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered" instead of someone who was gauche because she ranted about the Rapture and proselytized her religion often. Since the female audience of the series already exhibits Irene's virtues, the message conveyed is that the audience can be content with themselves and be assured that they are already making an impact now, as opposed saying that they have the potential to rise to the occasion to become heroic, but they need to change to manifest those virtues.

Amanda was not repulsed by the parishioners of New Hope Village Church whom she thought would be "frumpy, white trash". The implication here is that the Christian women of New Hope Village Church are of the proper social stature and cultural affiliation to appeal to Amanda and not be the subject of social contempt. Those women are people of the world who have a stylish fashion-sense. In contrast, Vicki Byrne was self-conscious since she was from a white trash family that lived in a trailer park. Indeed, one reason why Vicki resisted becoming a Christian before the Rapture is her resentment of her parents and background. Also, the members of The Place are from the urban underclass.

Amanda described Irene to the Rayford as being the "sweetest little woman, so soft-spoken, so totally in love and devoted to you [Rayford]" and a Christian witness. Clark says that this exemplifies the ideal Christian wife according to the authors where they advocate for the conservative value that wives should have their lives revolve around their husbands and submit themselves to them.

Rayford remarked that he was impressed by Amanda's "servant attitude" because she continually prayed for people, engrossed in Bible studies, and was all busy in the church. Rayford eventually asked Amanda out. Clark remarks that he is not convinced that Rayford found Amanda's devotion to the church all that attractive since he would have asked Loretta out a long time ago because she had those traits that Rayford praised about Amanda.

Appearances[]

Left Behind series

Left Behind: The Kids

Mentions[]

Left Behind series

Left Behind: The Kids

In other media[]

Trivia[]

Gallery[]

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