Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

by Eberhard Arnold, Jürgen Moltmann (Foreword)

Eberhard Arnold chose to live out Jesus' teachings by embracing their self-sacrificing demands. In this collection of talks and essays, he calls the reader to live for the overturning of the prevailing order of injustice. In its place we must build a peaceable society motivated by love.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith

Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Eberhard was born in Königsberg, East Prussia into an academic family. He studied theology but, because of his views on infant baptism and his decision to leave the Lutheran church, he was refused his degree. He changed majors to philosophy. He married Emmy von Hollander and together they dedicated their lives in obedience to God’s will. This led to the beginning of community in 1920.

Eberhard was criticized for his uncompromising faith, which cost him many friends. Not wanting to form a separate sect, he always sought out others who felt as he did. This led to a year’s trip to North America (1930-31) to visit the Hutterites. He was accepted as a minister and the Bruderhof became part of the larger Hutterian movement.

When Hitler came to power in 1933 Eberhard spoke out clearly, recognizing early on the direction German politics were taking. He spent the last years of his life preparing the Brotherhood for possible persecution. Returning from a visit to government authorities in October 1933, he slipped and broke his leg—a complicated fracture which ultimately led to his death.

Reviews

[Jonathan Roberts]

I picked this book up late in my prep for the Sermon on the Mount and read a lot of it at once. It had some interesting points but where I struggled was finding out which portion of the Sermon he was addressing. There were no scripture references, and even though I was half way through the Sermon when I picked it up (chapter 6:1) I was not able to tell what portion of the Sermon he was speaking on. I am by no means an expert but I struggled mightily to tell what portion of scripture he was addressing. So this made this book nearly unusable as a way to understand and preach the Sermon. But maybe if I had just read it I would have liked it more. So take this review with a grain of salt

[Shawna]

This book will change how you live. If you let it.

[Denise Kettering]

These reflections on the Sermon on the Mount offer readers a series of insights into the Sermon on the Mount and the ways that Arnold interpreted these different sayings, including the challenge of personal property and money. He also mentions the challenges of nonviolence. This book is a collection of different writings that Arnold wrote across but they offer a lot of insightful perspectives on issues represented in the Sermon on the Mount. There is much that is helpful and useful here in relating to lived Christian practice.

[Sarah Tuttle]

I was given this book because I was struggling with The Sermon on the Mount, and it was very enlightening. I recommend this if you're struggling with it as well.

[Arasanyin F]

I just want to read this book

[Glenys]

The Sermon on the mount which can be interpreted in many ways....

[Jeske]

This book is inspiring for sure. And how can a book about the Sermon on the Mount be otherwise? Arnold had very interesting and radical ideas, which i like. But the problem for me was that it mostly was just that. Ideas. A very idealistic, visionary book that in my opinion lacked the practical tools and thus remained in the abstract realm of ideas too much.