Beyond the Law: Living the Sermon on the Mount

by Philip K. Clemens

Overview

From all the rules the church preaches to the world, it's easy to assume that obeying the law is the measure of a Christian. But Jesus paints a different picture in his Sermon on the Mount. Beyond the Law considers that God's kingdom is based not on a code of law but on God's goodness and the bounteous love that God desires for the life of every Christian community. The Beatitudes open up new avenues of discipleship when received not as law but as Jesus' generous welcome to people from all walks of life.

Author Philip K. Clemens offers what he calls "a layperson's guide to discovering how God lives and moves among ordinary people." Clemens helps Christians navigate these avenues by focusing on three themes—righteousness, community, blessing—that stand out in the Sermon on the Mount. Clemens illustrates how the Sermon on the Mount opens new avenues of discipleship when received not as law but as Jesus' generous welcome to people from all walks of life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780836193619
Publisher:	MennoMedia
Publication date:	01/19/2007
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Philip K. Clemens is pastor at Pike Mennonite Church, Elida, Ohio. He has served in the pastoral ministry at various churches since 1984. Before that he was professor of music at Goshen College from 1970 to 1986. He has taught music and served in music ministry since 1968. Clemens holds a doctorate in church music from Northwestern University, a master's in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary, and a bachelor's in divinity from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He has written numerous articles on music and pastoral ministry.