The Beatitudes for Today [Paperback]

James C. Howell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2005 | Series: For Today

In this volume of the For Today series, author and pastor James Howell takes us on an engaging exploration of the Beatitudes. Howell considers each of the well-known phrases in these passages from Matthew and creatively applies Jesus' teachings to our contemporary world and Christian lives.

The For Today series was designed to provide reliable and accessible resources for the study and real life application of important biblical texts, theological documents, and Christian practices. The emphasis of the series is not only on the realization and appreciation of what these subjects have meant in the past, but also on their value in the present--"for today." Thought-provoking questions are included at the end of each chapter, making the books ideal for personal study and group use.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Throughout Christian history, the New Testament benedictions known as the Beatitudes (blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful, etc.) have been interpreted in wildly different ways. So it's singularly appropriate that Howell, a biblical scholar and Methodist minister in North Carolina, begins his concise volume on the Beatitudes with a chapter on what Jesus didn't say: he didn't say "blessed are those who invest wisely; they will own a second home" or "blessed are the Americans," or even "blessed are the happy." Rather, Howell claims, Jesus focused on the downtrodden and planted the seeds for a "long-term moral revolution." Focusing primarily on the Beatitudes listed in Matthew 5 (with some comparison to the heated, more forceful version found in Luke 6), Howell dissects all eight sayings, trying to understand Jesus' meaning in its original context and for us today. He points out ironies—why is it blessed to be poor, or to mourn?—and calls attention to some radical, surprising elements to which many Christians have become inured. He nimbly draws from popular culture as well as classical literature. Each chapter closes with several questions for discussion, making this helpful for individual or group study. Blessed are the readers of this book, for they will come away wiser. (Jan.)
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About the Author

James C. Howell is pastor of the Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the author of a number of books including Discovering the Will of God: Answering the Hard Questions; The Beatitudes for Today; and Introducing Christianity: Exploring the Bible, Faith, and Life, all published by Westminster John Knox Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (December 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664229328
• ISBN-13: 978-0664229320
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for discussions, February 27, 2006

By 

Matthew C. Wooster - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Beatitudes for Today (Paperback)

James Howell presents a very accessible and engaging look at the Beatitudes. The book combines straightforward study of the gospels with the insigth of contemporary lives and writings, including Frederick Buechner, Dorothy Day, and even J.R.R. Tolkien. The modern commentary and examples help to give new insight into these long-cherised verses from the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Each chapter is followed by three questions for individual reflection or discussion in a group. I highly recommend this book for individuals or for groups discussions in a church or neighborhood setting.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Blessed Are You, February 15, 2007

By 

wvano "wvano" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Beatitudes for Today (Paperback)

The Beatitudes may seem a strange way to begin a sermon, but they famously open Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" in the Gospel According to St. Matthew. These pithy, paradoxical promises have fascinated Jesus' followers from the beginning of the Church, serving as a kind of preamble to Christian ethics.

"The Beatitudes for Today" is a series of creative and hortatory essays about the eight Matthean blessings. (Luke's Gospel has four blessings and four less popular woes.) It's well-suited for private meditation or group study. James Howell, a Methodist pastor, does a good job of explaining the key Greek words, and he steers clear of many misuses and misinterpretations of the text. Most readers will appreciate his widely ecumenical selection of supporting voices, from John Calvin to Saint Therese of Lisieux.

Though the Beatitudes can be seen as attitudes to emulate, steps toward spiritual maturity, and even as a platform for social change, Howell never lets us forget that they are, first and foremost, divine blessings. And that is a good place to begin.

3.0 out of 5 stars The Beatitudes for Today, July 4, 2011

By 

John C. Scott "J C Scott" (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Beatitudes for Today (Paperback)

I found this small volume to be only marginally helpful. There are other much more detailed and helpful to anyone doing any kind of research.