Theology Time

Generally, as we have observed, the Sermon on the Mount suffers neglect from the faster-growing church congregations in America. Some are busy preaching a doctrine of righteousness through prosperity. Some are dedicating their church’s mission to promoting the election of the “right” politicians. Some are working to the hasten the “end times” and don’t worry much about future righteousness. Some are working toward the destruction of competing religions around the world, and some are obsessed with refuting science.

As a result, concepts involving poverty, meekness, peacemaking, and mercy are in short supply. When the Sermon is mentioned, however, some interesting ideas emerge. One concerns the first of the Beatitudes, right at the beginning of the Sermon. That’s where the Galilean, according to the writer of the Gospel of Matthew, says

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This statement is greatly preferred by modern Christians over the corresponding statement of the writer of the Gospel of Luke, where the speaker simplifies the whole affair with

“Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God."

Oh my, well we can’t have that now, can we?

How did the word “spirit” gain admittance? I alluded to one of the more innovative explanations last week. It warrants an additional look. In this interpretation, the word “spirit” relates more to the type of attitude we find in a rambunctious pony. “She is a high-spirited filly.” We can’t have our congregations, especially the youth, full of well-tensioned ideas of their own regarding what is righteous can we?

No, we seek a highly desired consummation that we cleanse ourselves of our wayward spirits.

Get it?

There is some attendant wisdom in this interpretation, however. Perhaps the Galilean did intend it. This involves an “emptying” of ourselves before seeking righteousness. Perhaps he saw a day when the super-rich would want to carry their wealth with them into their spiritual sanctuaries.

Perhaps he saw a day when twice-divorced playboys would call themselves “holy,”

Perhaps he saw a day when religious purity would involve hating the right people.

Perhaps he saw a day when bearing false witness would win elections.

Perhaps he saw a day when war would secure religious converts.

Perhaps he saw a day when mercy toward “the least of those among us” would be considered a sign of righteous weakness.

I don’t know. They say the Galilean was pretty smart.

Wasn’t it Joseph Campbell who described rites of passage among many primitive tribes as the casting off of societal-induced fears? Sounds of dangerous animals beyond the village limits announced danger and death “beyond the pale.” On reaching maturity, the young males were taken into the danger zoned where they learned that village elders had made those terrifying sounds in order to instill a firm belief in cultural conformity.

After the enlightenment, the youths, now men, returned to society sans both their pre-existing fears and foreskins.

He didn’t mention whether or not the girls of the village received such enlightenment and freedom from primal fears.