Comments

The counter-cultural brilliance of the Beatitudes

The Ninefold path of Jesus. Hidden wisdom of the Beautitudes by Mark Scandrette (IVP, 2021, 176 pages, $16US)

Scandrette’s thoughtful examination of the Beatitudes, blessings recited by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, is well-suited for a time such as this.

He shows how Jesus’ messages about justice, peacemaking and nonviolence make a relevant link between the Bible and modern, everyday life. The Beatitudes’ justice orientation makes them appealing even to people who aren’t normally interested in church. The challenging propositions of this Bible passage provide a “curriculum to Christlikeness,” in the words of the late American philosopher Dallas Willard. Jesus’ proclamations, which Scandrette calls “teachings on the hill,” provide a challenge to both dominant systems and our default responses to life’s trials.

They celebrate hunger for justice, mercy and purity of spirit. Through these teachings, Jesus invites his listeners to re-imagine their lives, be attuned to the Kingdom of God, and to a path of recovery from dysfunction. Some readers may find an echo of Walter Brueggeman’s prophetic voice in the correctives Scandrette suggests.

The nine-fold path includes calls to openhanded trust, honest lament, humility, recognition of the dignity of all, and adopting postures of justice and compassion. The suggestion of taking a seven-day fast from critical thoughts or disparaging comments is particularly apt.

Acting out of right motives, committing to reconciliation and reaching out past differences, embracing suffering and living a way of fearless, radical love are all valuable messages in this important book. Well worth reading, more than once. -MS