Finally a way to understand the ancient scripts!!!

What did you love best about Sermon on the Mount?

Father Rohr gives us a valuable insight to the context/times/culture that Jesus was teaching and clears up what we have either lost in translation or simply do not understand because of the language and major time barrier/gap.

What other book might you compare Sermon on the Mount to and why?

The Art of Letting Go

What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His inflections. You can hear him smile and he drives home the points wonderfully.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It brought me closer to an understanding of God, Jesus, as I seek enlightenment.

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14 people found this helpful

left wing political view of Jesus

What disappointed you about Sermon on the Mount?

That there was so little about the Sermon on the Mount and so much about how Liberal activism will save the world. Jesus is lost in the politics. Of the 8 hours, only two are about the Sermon on the Mount. The other 6 are about investment bankers, the Status quo and Jesus giving power to the people. I think Rohr is intelligent and has something to say, but i was not looking for a political rally.

What was most disappointing about Richard Rohr’s story?

I think he lets his political views, change how he views Jesus and his works.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Rohr has some good ideas about the people age and come to wisdom.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a bible study on the Sermon on the Mount, you should probably look elsewhere. If you are looking for a well thought out argument on how Jesus was a radical activist hippie, then this is your book.

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10 people found this helpful

Exhilarating!!!

Having grown up in a fundamental Christian environment but now since left I have been trying to discover new ways of looking at God and Jesus and his message. This is far and away the best message I have ever heard. It feels one with Hope and exhilaration that the real truth of Jesus is accessible to everyone!

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9 people found this helpful

Densely packed

These recordings from a retreat led by Richard Rohr are full of insights and challenges. I found the teaching illuminating, the lessons transformative, and the style engaging. The earth-shattering revelations came one after another after another, so that I felt like the world had changed three times over already each day by the time I finished my commute and arrived at work! I'm going back to the beginning immediately on finishing the first time through...but the real challenge is how to live out what we learn here.

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8 people found this helpful

Excellent!

Richard does an excellent job of laying the foundation for Matthew's presentation of Jesus' sermon on the mount. By the time he's finished with the foundation the actual text begins to fall into place much more easily and much more understandably.

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8 people found this helpful

Good, But...

Richard Rohr is certainly a dynamic and engaging speaker and his commentary on one of the most (if not THE most) important speeches in all of Christendom is thorough, detailed, and extremely well articulated. Richard brings forth so much wisdom and insights into the message of Christ and the meaning of a Christian based life. However, there are incredible lapses in his wisdom, and dare I say moral compass. Some that were quite frankly, shocking when I heard them. The biggest is his obvious support of a Marxist/Communist economic system. He outright states it.

I'm not quite sure how someone who is so versed in the teachings and analysis of moral virtues could support the most evil doctrine in the entire history of mankind. An ideology when practiced by the state resulted in (without exception) abject poverty, gratuitous and unjust imprisonment, torture, and murder of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The second most evil ideology is far far far from close.

He continually injects a socioeconomic and political ideology and carefully and skillfully interweaves it into the analysis and meaning of the Sermon as the preliminary foundation to fully understand it. His criticism of America's role in WWII and his statement that we as a country should be ashamed and beg for forgiveness for our role. For what, bringing peace to parts of Asia and western Europe? For stopping the Holocaust and preventing millions more Jews and Gentiles from being murdered and oppressed? He even champions a vegetarian/vegan diet/lifestyle and declares it essential and critical to the ultimate message in The Sermon. Not for health reasons mind you (for which one can make some valid arguments), but rather, he states, for political purposes and means.

There is far too much to unpack in these subjects/issues mentioned above to continue in depth in this limited format (review). So I will give credit where credit is due: His captivating and warm style of speaking, his knowledge of the text and history of the subject and his often laser like and often accurate criticisms of many structures and institutions of modern life, not least of all, the church. But communism is too horrific an ideology and economic system, and stating ultimately we should be ashamed rather than celebrate our role in WWII, are too big to overlook. They indicate a clear and certain dysfunction and lapse in his moral compass. Which is worrisome to say the least when speaking and preaching about perhaps the greatest moral speech in human history.

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6 people found this helpful

Fascinating!

Would you listen to Sermon on the Mount again? Why?

I would listen to this recording again because it is filled with deep insights that have helped me to navigate my own journey.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love how Richard Rohr describes and explains the reality that Jesus brought about and continues to offer.

What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Richard's books are also clear. But it is convenient to hear this while I drive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not have an extreme reaction, but I had an experience of joy.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this sermon to anyone who is deeply interested in the deep truths of the gospels or who is open-minded enough to learn of a new spiritual insight.

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6 people found this helpful

I can listen many times a year

I've listened to this presentation twice now. I always get something new from it and I always find it inspiring. Well worth the money spent.

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3 people found this helpful

Grace in action

Richard Rohr is a beautiful example of Grace in action. I have enjoyed everything I have read or heard that he has done. The Truth is enjoyable to see or hear. outstanding!

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3 people found this helpful

Not very knowledgeable. Inaccurate examples

Would you try another book from Richard Rohr and/or Richard Rohr?

No. I stopped reading after 30 min. His examples were inaccurate enough I don't trust his knowledge. He claimed that John was the gospel that proved Jesus' divinity. The other gospels claim the same in a Jewish way. There is a chapter on it in Pitre's "The Case for Jesus" if you are interested. He claimed that Francis was forced out of the order and his teachings ignored. Just read Chesterton's book on St. Francis. They had to adapt St. Francis' teachings to a more sustainable practice than homeless beggars, but kept the spirit of the movement. Then he said future, holier Christians would be scandalized by deaths from war. If he is Catholic, open the Catechism. Look in paragraphs 2302-2317 and read about the causes for just war. This took me less than a minute to google.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I never got to it. I stopped at 30mn and plan on getting my credit back.

What about Richard Rohr’s performance did you like?

He started with a prayer. His voice was easy to listen too.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. He exaggerates to make everything sound worse than it is.

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2 people found this helpful