Att: Local Superheroes
This is not a post about you, that much I know. You’re not the peacemaker.
Today I had a conversation with a few people about the Beatitudes.
Our conversation revolved around interpreting the text of Matthew 5:1-10.
While I am not going to give an exegesis on these passages, I would like your input instead.
My understanding of the Beatitudes is that they are in essence a divine assurance of salvation. The other way it was presented to me is that these are actually behaviors that are exhibited as a subject of the Kingdom of God who has experienced the King’s (God) inclusion into the Kingdom (forgiveness).
What’s your take on this?
To make things simple, I will offer one verse out of the list.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
Would you be so kind as to help translate this passage?
What is your insight to this passage? How have you classically interpreted it? Leave your comment below
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Jon, I'm neither certain what you mean by calling the Beatitudes "a divine assurance of salvation," nor by the alternative view you expressed. What I am sure of is that when Jesus saw the crowds, He withdrew from them, climbing a mountain because He knew they would not follow Him there (too much effort for the half-hearted & disinterested). His disciples watched Him, and when He sat down they came to Him. He intended to share these things only with those who were disciplining themselves to follow Him…
Hey there Al.
The "divine assurance of salvation" is seen in the beatific vision, which is the supreme blessing of spending eternity with God and enjoying Him forever: We shall see Him as He is. Thus, in the beatitudes when Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," in light of the beatific vision, implies that those whom God gives a pure heart will indeed see Him (the divine assurance). R.C. Sproul does a fantastic treatment of this.
The other view—Kingdom view—was given to me by a professor last night. Since Jesus taught about the Kingdom in Matt. 4, and 5-7 is the sermon on the mount, he suggested that (theologically speaking) Jesus is saying "This is the Kingdom, and here's how subjects of the King should act." I can see this once we get past the beatitudes, but the beatitudes do not seem to lend themselves to what I would call "behavior modification."
What do you think?
The Beatitudes are a pass or fail…Just as previously it was Isrealite or non-Israelite. I acted as peacemaker before I was baptized as an adult. I did make peace with those people I interacted with to the point of being humble, gracious and empathetic. Therefore, I was blessed with knowledge of salvation and that aspect of my character has grown and diversified since I was ushered into the Kingdom. I now put that aspect of my character to work for me (and the Kingdom) not only in my responding to others, but by use of forethought, intention and imagination building a peaceful environment with honesty, encouragement and compassion.
General blogging has been the topic of my blog. it is good to blog about anything.*.”