Addison H. Hart

I was disappointed by this book. I am very interested in the Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes, which give an excellent guide to a good unfolding of our lives, both inner and outer. Hart reveals a lot of context for the Sermon, but does not bring out the spirituality, that is why I would want to follow Jesus and his sayings.

I might have preferred that Hodges had built a more visible framework for the sermon, so I could see how it all hangs together. Or I might have liked a personal journey into the Sermon, what drew the author himself into it. Or, I cold have appreciated a bit of typology with more references to other scripture and how ideas and precepts proceed into the Sermon on the Mount.

In Hart's commentary on the Lord's Prayer, he suggests the use of 'lapses' where trespasses, debts, or sins are the frequent translations. 'Lapses' is suggestive of the Greek 'hamartia', which is only found in the Lukan version. So, I was left a little unsure.… (més)

In his new book “Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount” author Addison H. Hart takes on a journey through the message of the Sermon on the Mount. Addison Hodges Hart is a retired pastor and college chaplain. He is also the author of “Knowing Darkness: On Skepticism, Melancholy, Friendship, and God” and “The Yoke of Jesus: A School for the Soul in Solitude”.

The book on the Sermon of the mount is more of a meditation on the sermon than a scholarly work of interpretation. It is primarily provides Hart’s own personal reflections and thoughts as he states he has spent years meditating on the Sermon of the Mount as he would listen to the text, think, meditate and then take notes. Hart writes that the Sermon on the Mount is a guide for believers who desire to live their lives with the character of God’s kingdom and righteousness. The author advises that we should take Jesus at his word as Christ’s message was making the kingdom primary.

Even though the book provides areas that provoke thought the books weightiness in impact was diminished to me primarily by some of his interpretive theological ideas concerning sin and hell. I found disturbing that He alludes to Hell as not an everlasting place of torment to not be taken literally but figurative. Another was his questioning of the historicity of the book of Jonah. With these statements peppered with the book I believe he undermines any attempt to take Jesus at his word.

In the end Hart does make the point within the pages of this book to provide interesting thoughts and ideas on how a Christian would actually believe and in turn practice Jesus’ teaches found in the Sermon on the Mount. I found this refreshing as he sheds light on the practical application necessary for the kingdom message of Jesus to be fleshed out in us.… (més)

Hart's book is less than a stellar look at the Sermon on the Mount. By his own admission, his views on the Sermon are shaped by his own personal experience. This hermeneutic of experience then impacts his understanding of the various teaching found in Matthew 5-7.

One of the most disappointing statements he makes about Scripture is found in his opening chapter. He writes, "If one seeks to follow Jesus, then the words of Jesus must stand above church, Bible, and Ten Commandments. Indeed, they stand above the rest of the New Testament, the greatest theologians, the most convincing and elegant theological systems, the creeds and formulas. . ." (p. 11). On the surface, it seems that Hart is calling his readers back to the text, but he makes it clear that he wants us to elevate the "red letters" over the rest of Scripture. In so doing, he denies any authority of divine revelation (2 Tim 3:16-17). However, Jesus does not deal with every aspect of the Christian life, so we are then left to determine what in the Bible is still sufficient for faith and practice.

The book also contains a few other disconcerting ideas, including the denial of hell, a confusing wavering view of divorce and remarriage, and others.

At the end of the day, this book is probably not worth your time if you come from an evangelical perspective that affirms the authority and inspiration of the entire Bible and you are seeking a hermeneutically sound approach to the Sermon on the Mount.… (més)

Addison Hodges book is not a scholarly work but rather a meditation on the sermon on the mount. Hodge's own reflections and thoughts as well as some scholarly concepts about the teaching of Jesus combine to form an interesting individuals take on the longest of Jesus teachings. Although not intended for research or a scholarly look into the sermon on the mount, which Hodges never claims to do, the book does provide interesting thoughts and concepts on how a person actually believes and practices Jesus' teachings. 3/5 stars.… (més)