Category Archives: Sermon on the Mount

Let’s talk a little hermeneutics. I’ve disagreed with McKnight’s interpretation of several of these passages because I disagree with his hermeneutics. He sees Jesus as legislating new laws because Jesus disagrees with Moses on various points. I disagree. After all, … Continue reading →

(Mat 5:43-48 ESV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  45 so that you may … Continue reading →

I’m finding myself in the just war camp. I’m not 100% comfortable here, but it makes better sense to me than anything else I’ve heard. History The doctrine defining a just war goes back to Augustine. Augustine was a bishop … Continue reading →

McKnight argues in Sermon on the Mount (The Story of God Bible Commentary) for a strictly pacifist interpretation of Jesus’ words. And I have great sympathy for that position. But I can’t quite make myself totally buy into it. On the other … Continue reading →

Even if we were to agree on the principles announced by Jesus, the application of these principles is really tough. Some argue that we should give to those who ask even if by so doing we enable laziness. But Paul … Continue reading →

(Mat 5:38-42 ESV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you … Continue reading →

Very fun video. Lyrics relevant to the post start at 3:05, but I wouldn’t skip anything. [Lyrics in the video have been updated, very cleverly. The original follows. For those not familiar with the work of Gilbert & Sullivan, here’s … Continue reading →

(Mat 5:33-37 ESV) “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an … Continue reading →

One last, very important point. “Divorces” in Mat 5:32 translates a word meaning to release, let go, or dismiss. The word was routinely used of ending a marriage, and so we translate “divorce,” but that’s not quite right. There’s a … Continue reading →

(Mat 5:31-32 ESV) “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her … Continue reading →