I admit it. I skipped to the part of the book entitled Healthy Sexuality with the prejudice that Anderson would likely add to the pile of smothering dogma that Jesus never said. I wasn’t going to spend time on another book that perpetuated church-initiated trauma, whether that leaned toward the idea that sex is dirty or that sex is a duty — and wives better get back in there because God said so.

What a joyful surprise to find the words — proven by Scripture, no less — that “Our beginning point is that sex is wonderful.” From there, Anderson shows us how Jesus unfolded the protective wings of love to govern sexual thoughts and actions, underscoring the deep respect with which love moves toward the beloved, and eliminating provision for predators — even if those predators are pastors or husbands.

So, it was with a sigh of relief that I took up The Wisdom of Jesus: A Close Look at the Sermon on the Mount — from the beginning — and I am so glad I did. I can’t think of a better way to combat the prolific and often political misuse of Jesus’ words than this deep dive into what He actually said — what He deemed most important to leave for us in Scripture.

And Scripture is where Anderson begins.

He starts with a copy of the sermon itself as recorded in Matthew 5:2–8:1. In each subsequent section of his book, Anderson puts the passage in front of our eyes again. One of my favorite speakers, Paige Brown, often says, “Don’t look at me. Look down at the text.” And that is the concern with which Anderson offers his insights. Jesus’ sermon is the diamond that Anderson spends the whole book admiring.

He uses Scripture to interpret Scripture, a basic principle of Biblical hermeneutics often neglected. But instead of a boorish intellectual, he approaches the text — both the Bible and his own writing — as a humble friend of the reader. A fan even.

By the way, this book isn’t marketed as a daily devotional, but I find it lends itself to that. The sections are short and there is plenty to ponder and pray about in each one.

Anderson is at once scholarly and down-to-earth. His attitude reminds me of Richard Foster’s in The Celebration of Discipline — both teacher and disciple. He seems to have walked humbly with his God. Moments of heartfelt vulnerability give us access to his own journey: “Sometimes my idols are eliminated, burnt, and left behind in one final choice, but other times, it is a lifelong process … The best way out of idolatry is through love of God. If I only focus on trying to destroy idols, my empty heart will cling harder to them. I must come to God in truth; poor in spirit, confess my illness, and ask God to fill my life with himself.”

In a culture where truth is defined subjectively and conflicting media reports cause us to doubt our ability to think, Mark Anderson tackles what is arguably the hardest passage of Scripture for U.S. citizens to internalize by providing us with precise historical information and keen literary analysis. He activates our response with lines such as, “Notice the multiple references to sight and vision … as an extension of the theme introduced in the sixth blessing, ‘for they shall see God.’” And that face-to-face with God is what this book invites us to.

These nuggets of observation proliferate the book. At one point, Anderson notes that Jesus spoke in Aramaic, and his words were recorded in Greek, but most manuscripts kept the Aramaic word mammon — as in You cannot serve God and mammon — because there was no equivalent in Greek. It is often translated in English as money, but Anderson digs deeper and shares that mammon refers to the deification of money, the trust in money, and human power to save. He says, “It represents the opposite of all that Jesus put forth ….” And it is through these shared insights that the reader grasps Jesus’ real meaning. God wants our hearts. God is our treasure, deserving of all of our trust and worship.

At a time when countless voices claim to speak in Jesus’ name, Anderson allows Jesus to speak for Himself. We, the readers, come away inspired and empowered. We are the salt. We are the light. Jesus said so! We are safe and cared for in every circumstance. Jesus said so! We are invited to bring nothing but our lack so that He can fill us. We are wholly loved forever. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

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Editor’s Note: Book reviews reflect the opinions of the respective reviewers, and not necessarily those of the editor of Heart of Flesh.

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Buy Book

The Wisdom of Jesus: A Close Look at the Sermon on the Mount by Mark J Anderson
‎ Chattown Press, May 2024
‎ 146 pages

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Performing songwriter, author, and teaching artist, Jennifer Daniels Neal earned an MA in Biblical Counseling and proceeded not to counsel. She has released nine music albums, four novels, a picture book, and two humans into the world (boy/girl twins now in high school). Jenn and husband, Jeff, are worship leaders at Rock Creek Fellowship in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.