Beatitudes, Not Platitudes shows that the Beatitudes are not overused, well-worn answers to the question, "What would Jesus do?" Rather, they are undervalued and hardly touched claims that transform our destinies. More than spiritual nuggets for personal devotion, practical advice, or propositions to be believed, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 envision and entail a reorientation of the good life in view of Jesus' kingdom. Jesus' teachings reveal to us that living our best purpose-driven life now involves dying to self and the world system, and dying for our enemies. Ideal for group study, this series of meditations on each of the Beatitudes, followed by cultural reflections and study questions, helps to bridge the gaps between personal devotion and societal revolution, the academic and the practical, the ancient and the contemporary. All of us want to be happy, to be well and blessed, and esteemed with honor. However, we look for happiness, wellness, blessing, and honor in different places and with mixed results. This book helps us reimagine the good life by taking a fresh look at the Beatitudes as citizens of Jesus' ever-new kingdom order.
Beatitudes, Not Platitudes shows that the Beatitudes are not overused, well-worn answers to the question, ""What would Jesus do?"" Rather, they are undervalued and hardly touched claims that transform our destinies. More than spiritual nuggets for personal devotion, practical advice, or propositions to be believed, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 envision and entail a reorientation of the good life in view of Jesus' kingdom. Jesus' teachings reveal to us that living our best purpose-driven life now involves dying to self and the world system, and dying for our enemies. Ideal for group study, this series of meditations on each of the Beatitudes, followed by cultural reflections and study questions, helps to bridge the gaps between personal devotion and societal revolution, the academic and the practical, the ancient and the contemporary. All of us want to be happy, to be well and blessed, and esteemed with honor. However, we look for happiness, wellness, blessing, and honor in different places and with mixed results. This book helps us reimagine the good life by taking a fresh look at the Beatitudes as citizens of Jesus' ever-new kingdom order. (Designer--Please use the first three names on this list for the back cover, the rest will go in the front cover) ""I was most impressed with Paul Louis Metzger's not only evangelical but also social-justice reading and interpretation of Jesus' powerful Beatitudes. May his tribe increase!"" --Frederick Dale Bruner, author of Matthew: A Commentary ""For preachers and teachers who value Scripture, Paul Louis Metzger provides a robust theological reading of Scripture rooted in sound exegesis. In addition to the careful reading of the biblical text, Metzger offers historical, theological, social, and practical insights that call us to actually embody Scripture instead of just talking about it."" --Soong-Chan Rah, author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity ""Beatitudes Not Platitudes reveals what we are missing when we bypass Jesus' Sermon on the Mount or minimize its meaning to avoid distressing ourselves. Paul Louis Metzger implores us to take a closer look and ponder Jesus' words. Jesus means to jolt us out of the status quo--even our American Christian status quo--so we will hunger for and cultivate the values of his kingdom. A wise and important book for such a time as this!"" --Carolyn Custis James, author of The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules, and Malestrom: Manhood Swept into the Currents of a Changing World ""In clear and accessible prose, Paul Louis Metzger walks us through Jesus' simple but revolutionary introduction to the upside-down kingdom of God . . . With the heart of a friend and the mind of a scholar, Metzger guides us through the cultural setting and contemporary relevance for each of Jesus' beatitudes. This highly readable book provides a winsome vision for any Christian hungering to walk afresh in the way of Jesus. But it's also an exceptional resource for preachers and teachers who want to lead their people through this potent and beautiful section of Scripture."" --Matt Woodley, editor of Preaching Today, author of The Gospel of Matthew: God with Us ""Beatitudes, Not Platitudes is one of the few books in recent memory that meets more than one need in the church today. It is theologically informative and devotionally inspirational, while at the same time, it encourages us to be more sensitive to the social challenges that many are struggling to overcome. Paul Louis Metzger has written a masterpiece for our times."" --Jimi Calhoun, Lead Pastor, Bridging Austin, author of A Story of Rhythm and Grace: What the Church Can Learn from Rock and Roll About Healing the Racial Divide ""The Beatitudes are spiritual treasures. They are like diamonds that never lose their value or beauty with the passing of time. However, too often our church theologies and cultural challenges gloss them over with a thick venee
Various Christian traditions mark their calendars to reflect the biblical and ecclesial narrative and enhance public worship. Such efforts safeguard against secularization's encroachment in the church's life. Setting the Spiritual Clock serves as a guide and traveling companion for the liturgical year, which circles the glorious Son as he breaks through the secular eclipse.
The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.
Delving beyond the mere surface comprehension of the Beatitudes, Dr. Richard Tow skillfully leads the reader on an enriching journey, exploring each one through the lens of the entire Scripture. With meticulous cross-references to biblical narratives and apostolic wisdom, all of which are firmly anchored in the teachings of Jesus, this work offers profound insights accessible to both seasoned believers and those newly embarking on their faith journey. —Joe Wyrostek, DMin President, Legacy Ministry College and Pastor, Metro Praise International Church Here is a pastor-teacher’s theological reflection on what these truths mean for a true disciple of Jesus - one -who longs to grow in his or her faith and prepare themselves for their ultimate fulfillment when we “will be like Him” and see Him “just as He is” (1Jn 3:2). It is a joy and privilege to commend Beatitudes of Christ: Pathway of Blessing to pastor, student and lay persons who desire to know the truth of God’s Word and be transformed by it. —James D. Hernando, PhD Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary In Beatitudes of Christ, Dr. Richard Tow brings to light what true happiness and fulfillment are all about. He provides accurate illumination into the fact that there is no true satisfaction aside from being in Christ. He also brings to light that the teaching of Jesus through the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount is for believers who are on a path to an ultimate consummation where we shall be changed and eventually experience immortality. —Keith Collins, DD President, Generation Impact Ministries and Impact Global Fellowship
The Beatitudes are among the most influential teachings in human history. For two millennia, they have appeared in poetry and politics, and in the thought of mystics and activists, as Christians and others have reflected on their meaning and shaped their lives according to the Beatitudes’ wisdom. But what does it mean to be hungry, or meek, or pure in heart? Is poverty a material condition or a spiritual one? And what does being blessed entail? In this book, Rebekah Eklund explores how the Beatitudes have affected readers across differing eras and contexts. From Matthew and Luke in the first century, to Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham in the twentieth, Eklund considers how men and women have understood and applied the Beatitudes to their own lives through the ages. Reading in the company of past readers helps us see how rich and multifaceted the Beatitudes truly are, illuminating what they might mean for us today.
"I pray . . . that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. . . . May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me." --Jesus Christ What if? What if believers of multiple ethnicities manifested the diversity in unity for which Jesus prayed? What if largely separate, homogeneous congregations--which account for nearly 92.5 percent of all churches in the United States--increasingly became connected, multiethnic congregations? What if, at eleven o'clock on Sunday mornings--or whenever believers gather to worship--local congregations were comprised of believing whites, African Americans, Koreans, Hispanics, Romanians, Native Americans, as well as the diverse mosaic of other ethnicities represented in our increasingly multicultural society? Would this not say something about the supernatural character of the gospel of reconciliation we proclaim? Jesus believed it would. That is why after praying for such diversity in unity among his followers, Jesus Christ--the Man for all nations--extended his arms and laid down his life to make it happen. This book, God's New Humanity, examines the biblical-theological vision and motivation for living in response to Jesus' prayer.
The Sermon on the Mount, one of the most influential portions of the Bible, is the most studied and commented upon portion of the Christian Scriptures. Every Christian generation turns to it for insight and guidance. In this volume, a recognized expert on the Gospels shows that the Sermon on the Mount offers a clear window into understanding God's work in Christ. Jonathan Pennington provides a historical, theological, and literary commentary on the Sermon and explains how this text offers insight into God's plan for human flourishing. As Pennington explores the literary dimensions and theological themes of this famous passage, he situates the Sermon in dialogue with the Jewish and Greek virtue traditions and the philosophical-theological question of human flourishing. He also relates the Sermon's theological themes to contemporary issues such as ethics, philosophy, and economics.
The Beatitudes invite us to a new way of life—one of abundance, dignity, truth, and mercy. We've learned to live by striving, competition, and comparison, but what if we all have equal dignity and worth? Mark Scandrette shows how the Beatitudes invite us into nine new postures for life. Whatever your story, whatever your struggle, the ninefold path found in the Beatitudes is available to you.
We live in a multifaith society: an ever-growing, diverse cultural climate, where no religion is viewed as having a monopoly on truth. It is important when that Christ-followers not only share the Word of God but also listen and learn how to interact meaningfully with those of diverse perspectives as we engage in life’s most important conversations. Connecting Christ encourages believers to be not only better communicators and witnesses but also listeners to people of other worldviews and traditions—skills that are crucial in defending against today’s negative connotations and ineffective approaches associated with Christian evangelism. With extensive commentary from leaders of various walks of faith and life — from Judaism to Islam and Buddhism to atheism —theologian and author Dr. Paul Louis Metzger offers a spiritual compass to help navigate the intimidating yet critical dialogue of conveying our faith in Christ. Filled with practical guidance and insight into controversial topics, such as hell, fascism, and homosexuality, Connecting Christ reveals that there is a way of evangelizing that is neither disengaging monologue nor silent, lifestyle ministry but is, instead, an approach for evangelism and dialogue to go hand-in-hand. We must remove ourselves as the stumbling block to salvation for others and embrace a way to proclaim the uncommon, compassionate God revealed in Jesus Christ—the Savior this world is dying to know.
