Rating: Summary: Sermon on the Mount Review: I found this book to be very empowering, especially for those of you are terribly disillusioned with figures of spiritual authority. In my opinion, Fox helps one to find the inner ability to free oneself from the terrible frustrations and deep saddness that arise from believing in people who are not really who they claim or seem to be. "By Their Fruits" and "Resist Not Evil" are especially enlightening. I highly recommend this book!
Rating: Summary: A fabulous look at the real meaning of Jesus' teachings Review: I had struggled with questions of faith for sometime, wanting to believe but having a hard time with the Church interpretation of what exactly being a Christian meant. In Emmet Fox's work, I found a way to true spirituality that had eluded me my whole life. I was raised Christian and still profess that faith, its just now I feel comfortable knowing that the Church doesn't corner the market on what the meaning of God's word is.
Rating: Summary: Buy this book. It's worth it. Review: I have found this book to be of great use. I have highlighted much of the text and have been re-reading and assimilating it since I bought it. This book can serve as a point of departure for anyone with a desire to grow spiritually but no pressing desire to become a part of any church. Jesus' technique is admittedly rigid but is simple to understand. When one honestly and patiently applies the technique in order to raise one's consciousness, the results--since Infinite Intelligence is employed instead of one's own mind--are truly illuminating. This book aims toward a more poetic life. I highly recommend it.
Rating: Summary: Easy to read annotation of the Sermon on the Mount Review: I like all annotations of the Sermon on the Mount, because I like certain parts of it (but not others). These are my private limitations and restrictions, part of my individuality, which I must give up to be more open to Jesus and our Father, God. But are we really God's children? What Mr. Fox leaves out, which has been emphasized elsewhere in commentaries, is that Jesus Christ differs from other prophets in one thing: He rose from the dead. Muhammad didn't do this, Buddha didn't do this, Yogi Parmansa (who?) didn't do this. But did Jesus really come back to life after dying? This is the crux of the matter, and this is where faith comes into play. Assume, for a moment, that I'm not sure Jesus did come back to life (there's some other explanation for what is written in the Bible). Still, I like what he said about the birds of the air and the lillies of the field, about turning the other cheek, about letting the suer have your two coats, non-resistance and just getting along. Mr. Fox, on the other hand, obviously has no doubts about Jesus being Divine, so everything else just follows naturally. I would like to see a little more light on the issue than just to assume first (a) and therefore, b, c, and we're sons of God. Are we really? I know, have faith or be damned. Well, riding the bus one day, two males in the back were talking, one saying how prostate cancer was very prolific among American males. I could feel the other men on the bus crossing their legs, looking suddenly worried, until the second man spoke up in a loud voice, "Well I'll be damned!" he said. Aren't we all?
Rating: Summary: Easy to read annotation of the Sermon on the Mount Review: I like all annotations of the Sermon on the Mount, because I like certain parts of it (but not others). These are my private limitations and restrictions, part of my individuality, which I must give up to be more open to Jesus and our Father, God. But are we really God's children? What Mr. Fox leaves out, which has been emphasized elsewhere in commentaries, is that Jesus Christ differs from other prophets in one thing: He rose from the dead. Muhammad didn't do this, Buddha didn't do this, Yogi Parmansa (who?) didn't do this. But did Jesus really come back to life after dying? This is the crux of the matter, and this is where faith comes into play. Assume, for a moment, that I'm not sure Jesus did come back to life (there's some other explanation for what is written in the Bible). Still, I like what he said about the birds of the air and the lillies of the field, about turning the other cheek, about letting the suer have your two coats, non-resistance and just getting along. Mr. Fox, on the other hand, obviously has no doubts about Jesus being Divine, so everything else just follows naturally. I would like to see a little more light on the issue than just to assume first (a) and therefore, b, c, and we're sons of God. Are we really? I know, have faith or be damned. Well, riding the bus one day, two males in the back were talking, one saying how prostate cancer was very prolific among American males. I could feel the other men on the bus crossing their legs, looking suddenly worried, until the second man spoke up in a loud voice, "Well I'll be damned!" he said. Aren't we all?
Rating: Summary: Beware Review: I read this book and fell in love with it. Then, I started reading more books by Fox and doing research on his background and his fellow spiritual teachers. The strange part about his writing is he doesn't acknowledge Jesus Christ as being the true Son of God. He refers to him as Jesus and describes how other religion sects view him, but the writer himself doesn't acknowledge Jesus Christ as "the Son of God," in any of his books. His whole concept of spirituality is that each of us have the power through constructive thinking to physically change our environment and lives. Well this is true on certain levels, but as a Christian I am saved by grace and God's power, not my own. The way to salvation and God is through Jesus Christ, and not just changing our mindset only. If this was true Jesus would have died in vain. Don't just take my opinion, research his background for yourself and read more of his books and compare them to biblical scriptures. Pray for wisdom and insight while you do this. Satan sometimes comes to us as an angel of light. Be discerning.
Rating: Summary: Life Changing Review: I use this book as a daily meditation and study guide. It has dramatically changed my perspective on Christianity and life. This is a real spiritual study guide -- not for beginners or fundamentalists.
Rating: Summary: THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR READING - IT'S FOR STUDYING! Review: I was first introduced to this book about 12 years ago, but at that time the last thing I wanted to read or discuss was anything having to do with religion, God, or spirituality. I refused to read it, even though the recommendation came from one of my closest and most trusted friends. In the time since then, many things have happened in my life which forced me to reconsider my previous convictions. I was no longer as happy or serene as I had been in the past, and I somehow intuitively knew that the answer lay within the realm of spirituality. I made a commitment to obtain another copy of the book, and to read it. I would not be guilty of "contempt prior to investigation". My journey began with 2 wks. of prayer, asking for understanding. I earnestly sought answers to questions which had baffled me all my life. I began my reading with an open mind, and within the first few pages, I knew I had found what, for me, was an absolute treasure. This book has become indispensable in my sincere desire to grow in the light of truth. Powerful emotions evoked by what I read just rolled over my soul, and I began to see. From the first day I began reading, I have not looked at religion and spirituality the same as I once did. I truly consider it to be one of the single greatest gifts which I have ever received, and I am filled with gratitude and thankfulness for the blessing.
Rating: Summary: Practical Review: I'm a recovering alcoholic, and found this book a wonderful compliment to the Twelve Steps. Before reading this book, I had a relationship with God that was consistent, but stale. I prayed maybe once a week. I prayed the same prayers over and over again (because I was told too in meetings). I stayed sober this way, but I can't say my sobriety was really "on fire". Then I read this book, and... MAN. At first, I laughed at some of Fox's statements. I mean, this guy really believes that through God with can accomplish anything. Anything. Here is a man who believes the parting of the Red Sea wasn't just a cool story -- he believes it actually happened! I had to laugh that off. But then, I kept reading. He makes an exceptional case for why the constant practice of prayer makes us have a different life experience. If the Spirit is right within you, the details of your chaotic life just fall into place. I finished reading it about 6 months ago. My stale relationship with God is completely revitalized. The book is a bit dry and wordy, so I gave it only 4 stars. It took a lot of effort to keep reading. But the payoff (put to practice) is worth it!
Rating: Summary: One of the three most important books I have ever read. Review: If I were allowed to own only three books, Sermon on the Mount would be one of them. It has literally brought me a new level of understanding of myself and of the working of my God. As Fox points out in this book, whether one believe's Jesus was the actual Son of God or not, no other man in our recorded human history has had a more dramatic impact on the world. And as such, I found the investigation by Fox into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount intellectually stimulating and spiritually motivating. There are too few jewels so precious as the wisdom, hope, and insight contained in this incredible work of literature.
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