Examines the biblical text of the Sermon on the Mount as a source of spiritual power and direction.

2007-10-13 Key to Spiritual Truth

Of the classical New Thought writers of the 20th century, Emmet Fox, Ernest Holmes and Thomas Troward are the ones who adhere most closely to the Judeo-Christian tradition. Fox focuses exclusively on the esoteric symbolic exegesis ("Sod" in Hebrew), although in same places he admits that the literal ("Pashat" in Hebrew) is as it stands. In this regard it is always helpful to study the way in which the Hebrew sages approach the text, in both the Talmud and the Zohar.

The aim of the book is to provide the reader with a practical manual of spiritual development. Chapter One: What Did Jesus Teach? explains how the teachings of Messiah underpin 2000 years of Western civilization and shows that what he really taught was a practical method for the development of the soul and the shaping of our lives. Jesus explains to us the nature of God, our own nature, the meaning of life and death, why we make mistakes, and tells us how to overcome and bring health, joy and prosperity into our own lives and those of others.

Fox points out that Jesus taught no theology whatsoever - his teaching is entirely spiritual or metaphysical. Unfortunately historical Christianity has mostly concerned itself with theological and doctrinal matters that have little relevance to Gospel teaching. For example, there is no warrant at all for setting up any form of Ecclesiasticism, of any hierarchy of officials or system of ritual. Jesus taught principles of conduct, knowing that if the spirit is right, details would take care of themselves.

The author emphasizes that the recorded miracles did happen and that prayer does change things. But prayer is both a science and an art, and Jesus devoted most of his teaching to explain this. The Sermon on the Mount is the spiritual key that unlocks the mystery of Bible teaching in general and the Gospels in particular. This key allows us to escape from superstitious literalism. It also inoculates us against so-called "Higher Criticism' which deals with externals only and misses the spiritual content of scripture.

Our free will resides in our choice of thought; the thoughts that occupy one's mind (The Secret Place) are what cause external conditions. Jesus Christ summed up this truth and demonstrated it in his own person. The Sermon on the Mount is thus a summary of the whole message of the Bible.

Chapter Two deals with the Beatitudes, the "Blessed Are" statements, and the next one: The Light Of the World, examines the concepts of the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Chapter Four: Resist Not Evil, explores the idea of the integrity of the soul - that one must bless instead of curse and guard one's thoughts.

The chapter Treasure In Heaven discusses the concept of praying in private with faith and belief whilst shunning public displays of piety. This is the essential teaching of The Secret Place and its significance as the controlling centre of the teaching of the Messiah. Chapter Six discusses the matter of judging, the nature of man, the importance of conduct and the art of living.

By Their Fruits is the title of the next one, and focuses on wisdom, the perfect balance of intelligence and love. The book concludes with an interpretation of The Lord's Prayer under the sections Our Father, Which Art In Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done In Earth as It Is In Heaven, Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread, Forgive Us Our Trespasses ..., Lead Us Not Into Temptation ..., and Thine Is The Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever and Ever.

In this valuable book, Fox explains how to understand the true nature of divine wisdom, how to transform negativity into life affirming belief, how to pray effectively and how to develop an integrated and fully expressed personality according to the wisdom of the Bible. I also highly recommend his books Power Through Constructive Thinking and Alter Your Life, as well as The Hidden Power of the Bible by Ernest Holmes.