Jesus' Copernican Revolution

It is well known that we interpret texts in accordance with our existing views, and this also applies to the New Testament. This subversive book argues that churches ignore the radical message set out by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, preferring to be saved rather than transformed. The greatest irony is that Jesus was highly critical of those regarded themselves as righteous, and yet we tend to try to become righteous ourselves rather than merciful as he recommended. This means having the right theology and by implication knowing that others are mistaken. The book looks at a series of themes: religion, justice, wealth, family, faith, sin, repentance, forgiveness and mercy. For the author, we all stand in need of mercy and forgiveness, especially as God judges our hearts not our behaviour. He also reminds us that Jesus's ideas on wealth and family are truly radical and greatly at variance with US Protestant orthodoxy. This is a bracing analysis that shows up are widespread sacred prejudices and calls us to be truer to Jesus's radical vision.