Following the Call: Living the Sermon on the Mount Together

by Charles E. Moore (Editor), Eberhard Arnold, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Fifty-two readings to spark weekly group discussion on putting Jesus’ most central teachings into practice. Jesus’ most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, possesses an irresistible quality . Who hasn’t felt stirred and unsettled after reading these words, which get to the root of the human condition?
This follow-up to the acclaimed collection Called to The Life Jesus Wants for His People taps an even broader array of sources, bringing together prophetic voices from every era and a range of traditions to consider the repercussions of these essential words.
More than a commentary or devotional , this book is designed to be read together with others, to inspire communities of faith to discuss what it might look like to put Jesus’ teachings into practice today.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Faith, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christianity

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2021

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sermon on the Mount, especially Matthew’s longer version, lays out the way for a life of love and service, something which so many of today’s “Christians” have obviously rejected in favor of following idols who promise them retribution and self-satisfaction.

Jesus was, and remains, powerfully counter cultural and, as such, is followed as little today as he was during his lifetime.

The multiple essays in this lovely book — most of them brief — come from people of our own time as well as some from centuries ago. But what they have in common is a powerful challenge to all of us to recognize just how much Jesus was challenging us to transform ourselves AND our cultures.

Unfortunately it appears that too many of us want to live in our own snug worlds of self-affirmation and blindness to the ways we support ongoing injustice.

[Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, via NetGalley.

https://stephaniesninthsuitcase.com/2...

This is a collection that features writings from a variety of writers and theologians, including Mother Teresa, Leo Tolstoy and John Wesley.

I was drawn to the book because I was intrigued to see the group of authors featured in the text. I was really excited to read Leo Tolstoy’s contributions, for example, because I really enjoyed the discussion of faith in Anna Karenina.

Previewing a Devotional

This is my first time previewing a devotional and it was a much different experience for me than reviewing a fiction book. While I usually bookmark sections that the Lord uses to speak to me, so that I can revisit them, I found myself wanting to bookmark about 80% of the pages.

The book, a compilation of voices that spans centuries and cultures, is meant to be read in community, just as it was written communally. I can certainly understand why it is meant to be read in groups, as it prompts discussion.

Structure and Themes

The weekly devotional covers the entire Sermon on the amount, divided into 52 sections for a year-long study. Most chapters feature multiple authors, although some are one, longer piece of writing.

Something I really appreciate is that the entire book is about the Kingdom of God. This is one of the main themes that I more frequently encounter in allegory, rather than in Christian circles. It is, however, central to Jesus’ teachings! The book is divided into four sections:

Kingdom Character (Matt. 5:1-16)
Kingdom Commands (Matt. 5: 17-48)
Kingdom Devotion (Matt. 6:1-18)
Kingdom Priorities (Matt. 6:19-7:28)
It feels a bit strange to say that one section of a devotional was “my favorite,” but I would say that the most meaningful section, for me, was the section about prayer (Kingdom Devotion).

Overall, I would describe the book as being full of grace, truth and beauty. It consistently promotes Jesus’ Kingdom, centralized on the idea that Jesus meant what he said. There is no room to qualify or lessen His words.

Audience

Reading through the book rather quickly for the purposes of review reminded me, a bit, of my college honors program. At the Torrey Honors Institute, we blitzed through theology, philosophy and classics, sometimes reading and discussing two seminal works in a week. I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy reading theology.

Although I don’t typically enjoy reading theology, I found this book to be very impactful. I also feel that, because the sections are fairly short for a whole week of study, readers do not need to be theology fans to appreciate the study. The spacing allows for plenty of time to ruminate on what you are reading.

Recommendation:

I highly recommend the title as a community read for friends and groups spanning different ecumenical traditions. I think this is an excellent resource, contributing to unity in the Body of Christ.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the Call is an incredible gathering of reflections on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. It is designed to be read as a group reading and provides 52 weeks of material to learn, discuss, and meditate on. Such a great plan for the year--spending each week in devotion to Jesus' most powerful sermon that teaches us how we are to live.

The book is organized into four parts (and I've got to mention, each part has its own illustrated title page that is stunning.) There are so many unique writers, such as Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Leo Tolstoy, Jane Tyson Clement (a favorite) and countless others from different walks of life and various times in history, making this collection diverse and noteworthy.

I really like this devotional's message and structure. It's unique and inspiring.

Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A collection of 52 weeks of readings working through the Sermon on the Mount, meant to be discussed and lived out in community.

Back in 2016, I reviewed a collection of 52 readings from the same editor and publishing house, titled Called to Community. This book, similar in format, builds on that earlier collection.

Charles E. Moore has edited a collection of readings organized into 52 weeks of readings with contributions from a wide range of Christians throughout history, from Augustine to Tim Keller, from Martin Luther to Martin Luther King, Jr. The readings follow the Sermon on the Mount, section by section, portraying how a wide range of believers have understood and sought to live under this challenging message of Jesus.

A reading at the end of this collection of readings articulates the intent in creating this set of readings. Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes:

“This word, whose claim we recognize, this word, which issues from his saying ‘I have known thee,‘ this word which sets us at once to work and obedience, is the rock on which to build our house. The only proper response to this word which Jesus brings with him from eternity is simply to do it. Jesus has spoken: his is the word, ours the obedience. Only in the doing of it does the word of Jesus retain its honor, might, and power among us. Now the storm can rage over the house, but it cannot shatter that union with him, which his word has created” (p. 332).

The assumption throughout is that this is a kingdom manifesto, describing the way Jesus’s followers will actually live, rather than some unrealistic ideal. Furthermore, and this is emphasized in the subtitle, the Sermon on the Mount is meant to be lived together and the book is written to be discussed together. Each weeks readings, from one to four writers and covering five to eight pages, are meant to be read, along with the pertinent portion of the Sermon, in a small group. A study guide at the conclusion of the text offer several probing questions and additional scripture passages to aid discussion. The aim is that a group would help one another take steps to live out the Sermon week by week.

The readings are offered in four sections with an introductory article to each section by Moore. They are:

Kingdom Character (Matthew 5:1-16). A highlight in this section was the short reading from Oscar Romero on persecution. He observes: “It is very easy to be servants of the word without disturbing the world in any way” (p. 71).

Kingdom Commands (Matthew 5:17-48) Jen Wilkin writes on law and the place of obedience and offers this example: “We don’t train our children to obey us so that they can gain our favor. They already have our favor. We, being evil, train and equip them to obey because it is good and right and safe. And how much more does our heavenly Father love us?” (p. 87).

Kingdom Devotion (Matthew 6:1-18) William H. Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas offer these convicting words: “Those who are being formed by praying, ‘Our Father who art in heaven, holy be your name’ are not permitted to about the holiness of God by attempting to put a leash on God, then dragging God into our crusades and cruelties” (p. 195).

Kingdom Priorities (Matthew 6:19-7:28) Dallas Willard challenged my own understanding of the teaching about pearls before pigs: “Pigs cannot digest pearls, cannot nourish themselves upon them….The reason these animals will finally ‘turn and rend you’ when you one day step up to them with another load of Bibles or pearls, is that you at least are edible” (p. 287).

This is but a tiny sampling of the rich fare offered in these readings. You may wonder if you will find enough to discuss in the few pages and short passage for each week. I suspect once you get going, if there is good trust and spiritual openness among you, that you will find there isn’t enough time.

______________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher via LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Conrade Yap · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most powerful teachings of Jesus is none other than the Sermon on the Mount. Even though many sermons have been preached on it, many books written about it, and many references made to it, these precious messages continue to astound us. If there is one theme about the Sermon on the Mount, it would be about the revelation of the Kingdom of God. This is where this book comes in, to help us learn from the different masters of reflection throughout the ages. Compiled from the writings and expositions from Early Church leaders like Irenaeus (2nd Century), Gregory of Nyssa (4th Century), and Jerome (4th Century); to modern writers like Wendell Berry, Stanley Hauerwas, Timothy Keller, Philip Yancey, and more, readers get to learn about kingdom character, kingdom commands, kingdom devotion, and kingdom priorities. Like having multiple preachers on selected sections of the Sermon on the Mount, we get many powerful perspectives on Jesus' teachings. E. Stanley Jones asserts that the Sermon is not about a Christian's duty but liberty to do all the good they can. On the beatitudes, Philip Yancey gives us a profound image of what it means to be poor in spirit, often making provocative observations about the virtues of poverty. There seems to be a correlation between the beatitudes discussed and the corresponding expertise or experience of the authors concerned. For instance, the beatitude on mourning brings together writers like Nicholas Wolterstorff who had experienced personal tragedies. The beatitude on purity engages Søren Kierkegaard's famous reflections on purity. The beatitude on persecution draws from the experience of Jerome and Oscar Romero, both of whom were persecuted because of how they practiced their faith convictions. Just reading the short reflections alone and a little knowledge of the contributors' backgrounds gives the reader a fascinating insight not only into the passage but also into the unique ways God has touched these individuals.

The section on Kingdom Commands shows us many new insights into what we commonly see as biblical law. The Sermon on the Mount does not replace the Law but elevates the Law to a whole new level. Not only is the fulfillment of it possible, it is vital for the greatest work of all: Love. On Kingdom Devotion, the focus shifts from the Law to the practice of righteousness, something which runs counter to the hypocrisy of the age. This includes meditations primarily on the Lord's Prayer, which essentially ties in what has been taught before into seeking God's will fully in order to venture into practicing it. Finally, on Kingdom Priorities, we receive a call to action. We learn what it means to be salt and light, about devotion to Christ, and many other teachings that are familiar to any regular Church-going believer.

My Thoughts
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In one volume, we get a treasure full of precious meditations on the Sermon on the Mount. This treasure comes from centuries of reflections by various authors and practitioners who had not only taught but received deep insights into Jesus' teachings. This is a gift for us to treasure and to build upon. Let me give three thoughts about this book. First, the meditations are brief enough for readers to pause and ponder regularly. In an age of text snippets and short attention spans, not many people have the patience to read thick volumes of theology or Christian literature. Thus, to have the many different authors providing short passages to read fits the timeslot of anyone claiming to be too busy to read. In that sense, this book can be used like a devotional. The Sermon on the Mount should in itself be meditation material. This book enhances the overall meditation process. Second, I appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the compilation. With each theme in the Sermon, Moore gives us several perspectives of the different writers to help us see the passage from different angles. Some of us would gravitate toward authors that we are familiar with. Reading authors that we find unfamiliar should enrich our library of spiritual writers. I find it helpful also to ponder on the background of each writer even as I read the short meditation. I ask two questions: Why did Moore include this person's work? What is the background of this person? Just the journey to answer these questions gives us a fresh understanding of the theme and its practice. The discussion questions at the end of the book provide more questions that we can talk about in small groups.

Finally, I sense an overall unity in the entire book. The kingdom theme is the main point. Moore has captured the essence of the Sermon on the Mount from the different writers to give us a wide range of interpretations and applications of the precious sermon of our Lord Jesus. In one book, we get a whole list of other treasured writings from the past. At the end of it all, I have just one conclusion. Wow!

Charles E. Moore is a member of the Bruderhof community. He writes for Plough Quarterly and has compiled and edited several acclaimed books, including Called to Community: The Life Jesus Wants for His People; Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard; Everyone Belongs to God: Discovering the Hidden Christ; and Bearing Witness: Stories of Martyrdom and Costly Discipleship.

Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Plough Publishing House and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

[Toni Trawitzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the older authors were harder to understand and relate to but this book made for a great discussion in my weekly women’s group. Great way to deepen in the words of Jesus.

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often in a group, even alone, we quickly rattle off the Our Father. So familiar are the words, rarely do we listen to them and respect the power and the awesome commitment Jesus calls us to in this simple acknowledgement, call and honor. The blessing of this book is the careful consideration and analysis of that prayer, and indeed Christ's words in the Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes, in a line by line, chapter by chapter study by some of the world's great spiritual thinkers. These minds encompass and embrace the wisdom of centuries and lived experience by writers of the Christian and Jewish traditions. From the early theologians of Christianity, over the centuries to embrace the reflections of Saints and reformers, leaders and the persecuted. This study and call is presented in a manner suited to slow individual reflection as well as group discussion. For me the power-a revolutionary power inherent in Christ's call as opposed to earthly values and nationalistic identities-reached its height in the pages devoted to The Lord's Prayer. From John Chrysostom to Anthony del Mello, Teresa of Avila to Mother Teresa, from Irenaeus to Bonhoeffer to Merton and Dorothy Day, this collection is a treasure, and I thank Plough Publishing for an advance reading copy of this work being published today.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus’s most famous teaching is the “Sermon on the Mount.” I have heard parts of it and was struck by the teaching which seems to get to the root of the human condition at that time. Yet it seems to me that it still is relevant to today’s human condition. This book brings together the importance of having conversations with others after reading. It’s not a book to be read alone as it’s purpose is to bring people together. The book considers the Sermon on the Mount” radical thinking. Is it? Jesus guides us in a new way of looking and finding a world of love and peace. This isn’t the easiest book to explain without repeating what others have said that this book is about. It’s an interesting and inspiring to read and then discuss with someone. It’s a book that I wish had been written sooner as it might have open people’s minds to look at what we think is okay in this world that moves so quickly.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a phenominal and powerful study of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. It is a collection of writings from a wide variety of voices from different traditions and time periods. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Marin Luther King Jr., C. S. Lewis, Mother Theresa, Leo Tolstoy, Soren Kierkegaard are among the many contributors.

Going through the Sermon on the Mount line by line, the writings show different perspectives yet ultimately all of them encourage readers to put Christ's teachings into practice in their own lives.

This is a book meant to be read slowly, studied, and shared with others. I highly recommend it!!

My thanks to NetGalley and Plough Publishers for allowing me to read an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Mandy Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful group of readings surrounding Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. What’s beautiful is that you can read through it with a group or on your own. Some of my favorite writers are in here - Wendell Berry, MLK, Tolstoy, CS Lewis. They are all manageable chunks which allow the reader to slowly digest them over the year. I highly recommend for anyone who wants to delve deeper into this critical teaching of Jesus

[Gea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of weekly meditations to see you through the entire year, written by some well-known and recognizable names: poets, theologians, authors from the past and the present. Although the book is meant for group discussion, it can definitely be used for your personal devotions.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary on what we call the Sermon on the Mount has not one or two authors but 111. Charles E. Moore drew from the writings of a diverse collection of thinkers -- from Augustine of Hippo to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from Timothy Keller to C.S. Lewis, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Mother Teresa -- to provide almost a verse-by-verse analysis of the greatest sermon in Christian history. I picked some of the most familiar names in my sampling, but if you recognize the name of every contributor to this book, you'll be way ahead of me. I scratched my head at some of the writings and just plain disagreed with others. There are some whom I probably wouldn't read in a stand-alone text. I'm thankful to have been exposed to them. Just because I may not agree with some writers, it doesn't mean I can't learn from them.

I was introduced to this book by a small group of men whom I was able to join for a few weeks. I didn't have the book at the time, but I acquired it soon after I had to leave the group. Charles E. Moore intends for it to be used in group study, and I agree that's the ideal way to go through it, so you can struggle over the passages together and learn from each other as well as from the writers.

It's neatly divided into 52 sections, so that theoretically your group could cover it in a year, although I've never heard of a small group that literally meets every single week of the year. (Christmas week, anybody?) I wouldn't recommend trying to take more than one section in a session. They aren't long in terms of reading, but they are long in the thought required.

A few samples:

"Here is the key to the Sermon on the Mount. We mistake it entirely if we look at it as the chart of the Christian's duty; rather, it is the charter of the Christian's liberty -- his liberty to go beyond, to do the thing that love impels and not merely the thing that duty compels."-- E. Stanley Jones

"The idea that Jesus taught nonresistance as an absolute ethic is part of the sentimentalizing of him which has characterized much modern Christianity. 'Tenderness of heart,' wrote Renan, 'was in him transformed into an infinite sweetness, a vague poetry, and a universal charm.' If Jesus was anything like that, one wonders why they crucified him. He stirred some people to loyalty so intense that they willingly died for him and others to hatred so fierce that they would not rest until they killed him." -- Henry Emerson Fosdick

"Speaking very precisely, God is never disappointed in us. He's never disappointed. That's because his expectations weren't that high to begin with. We're the ones with an artificially-inflated idea of our innate goodness, and groundless certainty about the things we'd never do." -- Frederica Mathewes-Green

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sermon of the Mount is well-known; I've read it hundreds of times. This collection of readings let me dig into the sermon slowly in a way that let it seep into my life in new ways. As in any anthology, I liked some readings more than others. That's part of what makes it good: although I likely won't read a whole book by some of these writers, I've at least been exposed to their writings. Now that I've read the book myself, I'd love to gather a small group and work through it together. There are questions at the end of the book for each chapter, which will make it easy for a group study.

[Joe Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars and top shelf.

When you combine the framing of the Sermon of the Mount with the contributions of so many gifted writers and theologians, you know this will be more than just another "sermon book." This book can be read in several ways. It’s a great read on its own. However, the discussion questions in the back offer great fodder for journaling or deeper conversations with friends. Also, the additional scripture reference in the discussion question provide a framing for daily devotion and prayer as well. Whether your are deepening your relationship with Christ or formally sensing God's leading into vocational ministry, this collection will move you forward.

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting and helpful book of writings on The Sermon on the Mount. It's the kind of reference that deserves to be purchased in hard copy, dipped into, and relished over time, individually or in the context of a directed small group study.

I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the poorly formatted E-book (for Kindle). Nearly every page had editing issues, including words with omitted letters and other serious formatting gaffes that made reading extremely difficult. That I read and will continue to consult this book despite the formatting is a testament to its content.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking the Sermon on the Mount is one that most people - religious or not, are familiar with. The authors here reflect on the message, sharing their thoughts and the message they see from the text.

This was an amazing read and one that I am sad that I did not get to before. It was amazing and full of great insight - whether you are of the same faith or not, that can help to aid in the study of the Sermon on the Mount. Highly recommend this one!

[Carol Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compilation of writings on the Sermon on the Mount by a diversity of people across the spectrum of years from the first years of the Christian church to the present, with a diversity of theological perspectives. It would make an excellent book study for a group meeting weekly, as it is organized into 52 sections with study questions. I read it on my own; discussion with others would make it even richer -- see the subtitle.

[Mitchell Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those studying Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, this book is an exceptional compendium of Christians throughout history, who have learned from, lived by, and wrestled with Jesus’ words.

It is broken up into 52 parts, meant to be read and discussed in weekly community with others. I can only imagine how life giving an experience that would be (and intend to find out).

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book is to be read , studied and digested over a long period of time. I started reading it as part of group study and then continued on after that group had decided to move on to another study. I found that after reading some of the authors it led me to seek out and study more of their writings.

[Linda Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this all year for morning prayer. There were some good authors but too many used very exclusive language.

[Jax Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

House Church 2023.

[John Ramthun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Challenging. Great to be done alone, with a friend, with your wife, or a small group community.

[Luann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology of authors challenges the reader to think more critically about Jesus words and what it means to follow Jesus. I appreciated the wide expanse of authorship presented.

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nuggets in readable chunks from a wide range of authors on living the Sermon on the Mount can serve as a comprehensive guide to the Jesus life.

[Melissa]

SMOUP book

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its a good book for a small group discussion. Lots of different voices. Wouldn't recommend for someone to read alone.