religion and spirituality

When I joined AA 4 months ago I was spiritually bankrupt and as cynical and bitter about organized religion as they come. The idea of praying and giving my will and my life over to a higher power was inconceivable. Fortunately, my sponsor suggested this book and I am now reading it for the second time, this time under-lining Mr. Fox's prose. To say that my life has change for the better since I've read this book is an understatement and I carry it with me every day. I just love the way Mr. Fox puts his spin on Jesus' sermon. What a wonderful way to live!

"Sermon On The Mount", is about Metaphysics, or states of consciousness. Fox, and Priests that I have spoken to over the years, say that Jesus was more concerned with what you think, than what you do. It is an inside job, and that is what this book is about. Fox tells you what Jesus was about; what he was really saying. As I read this, I started to see my whole existance differently and I saw everything around me differently. This is an extremely powerful book that one has to be ready for. If you are interested in dealing with your truths and you are into Jesus, then you need to read this. It is a frightening book, because you just might be reading the truth, and that scares people. I have no interest in telling you what Fox says, because we all interpret things differently, and I don't want me in your head while you are reading it. One needs to formulate their own opinions, in general. If you are a person with any type of addiction, this book will put you in a different place in your recovery. The book will definately improve your life, because at the very least it will give you a different perspective on everything. The book makes you think. If you don't want to think, don't buy this. It is understandable. It is not that difficult of a read. I am not that smart and I get it. I think it is totally brilliant, and has helped me in my daily life. Fox has his interpretation of Jesus' Sermon On The Mount at the end, line by line. I came to the same conclusion about the line "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us", that Fox does, and it helped me to forgive people in my life. Fox states that Jesus said forgiving is one of the most important things you can do in life. This book helped me do that. The book also says that Jesus said that the integrity of the soul is the only thing that matters. That is great information this book is giving, and I want to put myself around these truths. I have no interest in judging this book from a theological perspective, because I am not qualified, and I don't care. I just know that this book helps me in my daily life. So, therefore, if it satisfies theological scholars or not, who cares, because that has no bearing on my daily existance. Also, I do not think that is relevant here. I think everyone needs to individually formulate their own opinion after reading this. I don't think a person should go through their life without reading this.

The traditional interpretations of Jesus the Christ's teachings have turned thinking individuals into opponents of the Bible. Well, Mr. Fox's work (I read the original version published in the 1930's) provides some acceptable insights.

While Mr. Fox's works are slightly skewed in his references to how the "European race" has civilized the rest of the world, brought order where there is chaos, etc., etc., there is a solid message here.

His analysis the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5, 6 and 7 in the Bible), demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt that the mind is the builder of all that is in the life of man and woman.

If you are a Christian fundamentalist who has decided not to question literal, traditional interpretations of the Bible in any way, this book is not for you. However, if you find that traditional, mainstream Christianity doesn't fit into your views of life and yet you still believe in the fundamental usefulness of the core teachings of Christianity, I offer that you do the following:

1) Read this book with an open mind

2) Test some the principles in your own life, applying the principles to the resolution of problems that have heretofore not been solved using other methods

3) See what happens.

Every New Thought book I review I also mention the works of Dr. Joseph Murphy's ("The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" is his most famous) because they have had such an impact on my life as well the lives of countless others. If you are new to New Thought and are trying to decide which books to buy, I say read Joseph Murphy Book "Telepsychics" where he discusses Emmet Fox and this book as well.