During Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount,[1] he makes this startling statement: “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”[2] Is he serious? Didn’t Paul tell us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”[3] and that we must rely on God’s grace rather than Read more…
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he famously said “whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.” (Matthew 5:39; Luke 6:29 is similar) Did Jesus actually mean that we should take that literally? That when someone wrongs us, we should do nothing in response? The Read more…
Here’s an amusing diversion for you this week. Pay attention to (or count) all of the ads you hear that use the words “You deserve. . . .” Advertisers use this phrase because they want you to feel that buying their product or service is not merely an indulgence but Read more…
Last week I referred to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is in chapters five through seven of Matthew’s gospel. In those few chapters, Jesus lays down a tough standard for Christian behavior. For example, just in chapter five he says that we shouldn’t be angry or insulting toward others Read more…
Jesus Christ made claims about himself that no mere human has any right to make—such as that he was older than Abraham,[1] or that he knew what happens in heaven.[2] These were, in effect, claims that he was divine. (I discuss these and similar claims in Chapter 1 of my Read more…
Whenever you start to feel a little self-righteous, read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew’s Gospel and see what Jesus says about: Calling someone a “fool” (Matthew 5:22) Lusting after a woman not your wife (or a man not your husband) (Matthew 5:28) Marrying Read more…