Dallas Jenkins, the creator of the acclaimed show "The Chosen," shares insights on how the Sermon on the Mount profoundly influences storytelling and spiritual growth. He discusses its lessons on forgiveness and resilience, referencing powerful figures like Corrie Ten Boom. The conversation also reflects on the concept of 'costly interruptions' and how these timeless teachings remain relevant in today's societal struggles for justice. Jenkins emphasizes the transformative journey inspired by these teachings, urging listeners to engage deeply throughout the year.
The Sermon on the Mount presents a radical vision of a counterculture, where ideals like forgiveness, generosity, humility, and enemy love are central, and it has had a profound impact on individuals and societies throughout history.
Throughout history, the Sermon on the Mount has been interpreted and approached differently by various Christian traditions, with some ignoring or underemphasizing its teachings and others restricting its application solely to individual relationships, but it calls for a radical transformation of both individual and communal life.
Deep dives
The Sermon on the Mount: A Collection of Jesus' Teachings
The Sermon on the Mount is a compilation of Jesus' teachings found in the Gospel of Matthew. It consists of about a hundred verses that have shaped both Christians and non-Christians throughout history. These teachings, such as the Golden Rule and the importance of building a solid foundation, are deeply impactful and have enduring relevance. The Sermon on the Mount presents a radical vision of a counterculture, an alternate reality where ideals like forgiveness, generosity, humility, and enemy love are central. While living out these ethics may seem challenging, the examples of individuals like Corrie ten Boom and the influence it has had on historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Dietrich Bonhoeffer demonstrate that it is possible to embody the teachings of Jesus and create a community founded on love and compassion.
Different Perspectives on the Sermon on the Mount
Throughout history, the Sermon on the Mount has been interpreted and approached differently by various Christian traditions. Some have ignored or underemphasized its teachings, considering them too extreme or impossible to fulfill. Others have restricted its application solely to individual relationships, while neglecting its implications for larger communities and societal structures. However, the Sermon on the Mount calls for a radical transformation of both individual and communal life. Although it may seem challenging to fully integrate these teachings, the grace of God and the work of the Spirit enable believers to strive towards embodying Jesus' ethics of love, forgiveness, and peace.
The Impact of the Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount has had a profound impact on individuals and societies throughout history. Its radical teachings have inspired figures like Corrie ten Boom, who forgave a former Nazi guard, and served as a foundation for the nonviolent movements of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The Sermon's emphasis on love, humility, and justice speaks to the human longing for a better and more compassionate world. While putting these teachings into practice may be daunting, the stories of individuals and communities that have embraced the Sermon on the Mount demonstrate its transformative power and invite others to embrace its ethical vision.
Challenging the Domestication of the Sermon on the Mount
Throughout history, the Sermon on the Mount has been subjected to various domestication strategies that aim to soften its radical teachings. Some have interpreted Jesus' words as unattainable ideals or limited their application to personal relationships only. Others have considered monastic communities as the sole bearers of its demands. However, these approaches miss the full extent of the Sermon's transformative potential. The Sermon on the Mount challenges individuals, communities, and even nations to live by the values of love, forgiveness, and nonviolence. While the realization of this vision may be an ongoing process and subject to human failing, it calls for an earnest response to Jesus' teachings and a reliance on God's grace to live out the radical ethics presented in the Sermon on the Mount.
Most of us have probably heard sayings from Jesus’ famous teaching, commonly called the Sermon on the Mount. It's only 100 verses, but the sermon has created an enduring legacy that has shaped countless lives throughout history. In this first episode of a yearlong series on the Sermon on the Mount, Tim and Jon introduce some new voices and share stories of influential people who were inspired by Jesus’ words. Then the team lays out the basic facts of the Sermon on the Mount and the different ways it’s been interpreted over 2,000 years.
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Show Music
Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
BibleProject theme song by TENTS
"Afternoon" by Man with Roses
"Wave of Sorrow" by U2
"Judge Not" by Bob Marley and the Wailers
"Think of Mind" by sero
Show Credits
Stephanie Tam is the Lead Producer for today’s show. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; and Colin Wilson, producer. Tyler Bailey is our audio engineer and editor, and he also provided our sound design and mix. Brad Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.
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