Beatitudes From the Back Side: A Different Take on What It Means to be Blessed

by J. Ellsworth Kalas, John Schroeder

Using his method of approaching Bible passages from an unusual angle or a unique starting point, J. Ellsworth Kalas presents new insight into the beatitudes, Jesus’ blessings from the Sermon on the Mount.



The book contains      sessions and a study guide for personal use or for use in groups.

This book continues Kalas' popular series of “Back Side” books.



The beatitudes form the introduction to what is no doubt the best-known sermon ever preached. We call it the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5–7), and of course it was preached by Jesus.

When we start examining the beatitudes we realize that in Jesus’ view, happiness is not something we get by pursuing it; indeed, almost the contrary. We are told that we will be happy—or blessed, if you prefer—in what appears to be the near antithesis of happiness. If we choose to live by the beatitudes, we make a declaration of dependence. We put ourselves into bondage to such things as poverty of spirit, purity of heart, and a readiness for persecution. This isn’t the sort of product they advertise on prime-time television; indeed, I’m not sure that it appears overly often in our prime-time worship services. That is because this is not a spiritual quick fix. It doesn’t come in a five-easy-lessons capsule. Instead, it is largely contrary to the way we live and to the way we think.

Before we go any further, however, let me say that over the past twenty centuries a very great many people have found in these beatitudes a depth of peace and joy beyond anything our common culture promotes and seeks. But it isn’t easy, and it isn’t obvious. There’s nothing easy or soft about this kind of dependence. Rather, it is an attitude that demands a huge store of courage. It’s the kind of dependence the trapeze artist displays when he or she lets go of the bar and with no safety net awaiting, flies off into space, trusting.

Welcome to the beatitudes. And may you be eternally happy, beginning now.

—adapted from the introduction

 

Genres: Religion

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

J. Ellsworth Kalas has been part of the faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary since 1993, after thirty-eight years as a United Methodist pastor and five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council. He has been a presenter on DISCIPLE videos and is the author of more than thirty books, including the popular Back Side series as well as the Christian Believer study.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a number of books by this author. Kalas always has a special way of interpreting the scripture and the stories they contain. He makes the reader hear the stories in a new way. This book was interesting because Kalas thinks The Beatitudes are already written from the back side.

[Anna Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and refreshing take on the Beatitudes. This book really brings them to life and was very helpful in my teaching and preaching a series on the beatitudes.

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adult Sunday School class. Discussions became slightly repetitive. Interesting but not stimulating.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accept the beatitudinal challenges to know reality, the reality of God. The following is adapted from the introduction. When we start examining the beatitudes we realize that in Jesus view, happiness is not something we get by pursuing it; indeed, almost the contrary. We are told that we will be happy or blessed, if you prefer in what appears to be the near antithesis of happiness. If we choose to live by the beatitudes, we make a declaration of dependence. We put ourselves into bondage to such things as poverty of spirit, purity of heart, and a readiness for persecution.

[Susan Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Sunday morning group read and discussed this together. Very interesting interpretation.

[Wendy Waldt]

An interesting look into what Jesus meant by the Beatitudes and how to live those out in our daily lives.