The beatitudes, part of the Sermon on the Mount (Plain), are some of the most beloved parts of the New Testament. Christians have loved them, whether in Matthew or Luke’s version, whether they agreed on the meaning or not.
The Beatitudes Through the Ages by Rebekah Eklund is a priceless contribution to the study of the beatitudes. She does not attempt to tell us how to interpret them but she does take us on a tour of they have been interpreted.
What I love about this book is that she allows so many voices to be a part of the conversation. Normally scholars limit the voices to only those they believe are academic or not. But Eklund includes people from Augustine to Billy Graham as conversation partners.
You will find in this book, Roman Catholic and Orthodox, Lutheran and Reformed, Baptist and Mennonite. A broad discussion takes place in which we are invited to participate. She summarizes the most popular options but allows the readers to enter into the process of interpretation.
I highly recommend The Beatitudes Through the Ages for those interested in both the New Testament and history in general.
