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The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life
What did Jesus teach? Distilled from years of study and lecture, affirmed by nearly a million readers over the last fifty years, Emmet Fox's answer in The Sermon on the Mount is simple. The Bible is a "textbook of metaphysics" and the teachings of Jesus express--without dogma--a practical approach for the development of the soul and for the shaping of our lives into what we really wish them to be. For Fox, Jesus was "no sentimental dreamer, no mere dealer in empty platitudes, but the unflinching realist that only a great mystic can be."
In his most popular work, Emmet Fox shows how to: Understand the true nature of divine wisdom. Tap into the power of prayer. Develop a completely integrated and fully expressed personality. Transform negative attitudes into life-affirming beliefs. Claim our divine right to the full abundance of life.
In his most popular work, Emmet Fox shows how to: Understand the true nature of divine wisdom. Tap into the power of prayer. Develop a completely integrated and fully expressed personality. Transform negative attitudes into life-affirming beliefs. Claim our divine right to the full abundance of life.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 1935
1256 people are currently reading
3178 people want to read
About the author
Emmet Fox
314 books200 followersEmmet Fox was a New Thought spiritual leader of the early 20th century, famous for his large Divine Science church services held in New York City during the Depression.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
November 10, 2007
THIS BOOK ROCKED MY WORLD! Probably had a lot to do with the life stage and mental condition I was in. I was in my early twenties, depressed (boyfriend troubles), and spending a lot of time in therapy discussions with God (OK, call it prayer). One day at work, I needed to use a special computer so was sitting at someone else's desk while they were on vacation, and I looked up and saw this book on his shelf (Sermon on the Mount). Feeling kinda close to God at that point of my life and intrigued by the title, I pulled the book out and began reading it. I couldn't put it down. This book takes the famous speech by Jesus and offers a fresh perspective on his meaning. It was a total paradigm shift for me. Some people will not agree with this author's interpretation. I'm not even sure I totally agree, but it opened my mind and progressed me further on my spiritual journey. This book was written quite awhile ago (in the 30's, I believe) and the author is no longer alive, therefore you may have trouble finding the book. I had to special order it.
November 3, 2015
Though not a Christian, I have heard a great deal that is good about this book, and thought I should finally get around to reading it. It is an interesting read, although Fox has a particular theological axe to grind, and grind he does.
The basic premise of Fox's philosophy seems to be that if one believes in the teachings of Jesus, and prays about them in a particular way, one will be free of all disease and misfortune, including material difficulties. Not only does this reserve good fortune solely for the Christian (a rather unChristian way of thinking, it seems to me), but ignores the fact that disease, decay, misfortune, pain, and death are as much parts of the human condition as are health, joy, pleasure, and vigor. To deny the so-called shadow side of our lives is simply to live in blissful ignorance; this is not true wisdom.
Two other problems I have with this philosophy: the corollary to this line of thinking would seem to be that anyone who experiences difficulty simply hasn't prayed hard enough, an onerous form of blaming the victim; and, this philosophy assumes that humans know what is good for us, and have an understanding similar to God's in this regard. Otherwise, we would not have the audacity to label certain events in our lives as "wrong" or "bad" or "good" or "fortunate". Anything which comes our way is God's will, it seems to me, and my posture must be to do the best with these things that I can. Any other attitude takes the power out of the hands of God and places it in human hands, a very dangerous place indeed for it to be.
The basic premise of Fox's philosophy seems to be that if one believes in the teachings of Jesus, and prays about them in a particular way, one will be free of all disease and misfortune, including material difficulties. Not only does this reserve good fortune solely for the Christian (a rather unChristian way of thinking, it seems to me), but ignores the fact that disease, decay, misfortune, pain, and death are as much parts of the human condition as are health, joy, pleasure, and vigor. To deny the so-called shadow side of our lives is simply to live in blissful ignorance; this is not true wisdom.
Two other problems I have with this philosophy: the corollary to this line of thinking would seem to be that anyone who experiences difficulty simply hasn't prayed hard enough, an onerous form of blaming the victim; and, this philosophy assumes that humans know what is good for us, and have an understanding similar to God's in this regard. Otherwise, we would not have the audacity to label certain events in our lives as "wrong" or "bad" or "good" or "fortunate". Anything which comes our way is God's will, it seems to me, and my posture must be to do the best with these things that I can. Any other attitude takes the power out of the hands of God and places it in human hands, a very dangerous place indeed for it to be.
May 21, 2012
While it is by no means official "recovery" literature, this books is a staple for many in Alcoholics Anonymous, especially the "old timers." Fox's writing style is hard to navigate, but the ideas ushered in our modern age of spirituality. Comforting and understandable ideas about viewing life as a spiritual exercise and journey. Before the age of audio books, I read portions of this and recorded it as a gift for an older friend who lived and died by these words.
March 7, 2009
Love this book! It sounds 'religious' but Emmet Fox nips that in the bud right away when he says: 'the plain fact is that Jesus taught no theology whatever. His teaching is entirely spiritual or metaphysical.'
to be read over and over and over and...
to be read over and over and over and...
July 17, 2008
I was lent this book from a coworker who read it and was gushing about how remarkable it was. I found this book to be less than remarkable.
Emmet Fox takes a metaphysical look at interpreting the the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' famed speech in the Gospel according to Matthew. In the first chapter, Fox deconstructs orthodox interpretations on scripture, stating that they have missed the boat completely and twist Jesus' words into elaborate doctrine. Thence, Fox reinterprets the Sermon on the Mount with his own principles of "scientific" Christianity, focusing on the importance and value of having a life of prayer.
Although I cannot say that I found the book to be utterly devoid of meaning (I did find some good nuggets of wisdom), I did find myself quite unsatisfied with Fox's interpretation of scripture. Fox seems to have a grasp of what the scriptures (or, at least the New Testament) entails, but he seems to take these scriptures out of context. Additionally, the book focuses almost solely on how we might best improve our own spirituality, but gives the reader no admonition to consider how humanity interacts and is involved with each other. The greatest commandment, Jesus says, is to love God. The second is like it, to love our neighbor. The interpretation that Fox offers gives little to no insight upon this, offering an insular approach to Christianity. Finally, although I understand that all are free to determine what belief system they ascribe to, I find myself frustrated with Fox who completely rejects orthodox Christian doctrine because it seems to me that in doing so he allows himself to have wacky viewpoints that seemingly have no basis if you are to hold the viewpoints in light of the totality of scripture. In the beginning chapter Fox denies the Trinity, yet makes use of the Trinity in places where it "fits" with his viewpoint later on in the book. Fox also twists scripture to say that humanity is able to become gods ourselves, which is definitely not biblical.
I think, however, the most frustrating aspect of this book is Fox's extreme tendency to make Jesus' words out to be a prosperity gospel. This is one of the major problems with our Western interpretation of scripture and Christianity and Fox's claims that if we just pray hard enough we'll realize God's will for us, which includes all health and wealth and happiness. The problem with this standpoint is that it doesn't acknowledge the full spectrum that we encounter in life as being part of life. It doesn't leave a space for God to be present with us in our bad times as well as our good. Which then becomes especially problematic if one considers that 2/3 of the world's Christians are living in impoverished conditions.
Emmet Fox takes a metaphysical look at interpreting the the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' famed speech in the Gospel according to Matthew. In the first chapter, Fox deconstructs orthodox interpretations on scripture, stating that they have missed the boat completely and twist Jesus' words into elaborate doctrine. Thence, Fox reinterprets the Sermon on the Mount with his own principles of "scientific" Christianity, focusing on the importance and value of having a life of prayer.
Although I cannot say that I found the book to be utterly devoid of meaning (I did find some good nuggets of wisdom), I did find myself quite unsatisfied with Fox's interpretation of scripture. Fox seems to have a grasp of what the scriptures (or, at least the New Testament) entails, but he seems to take these scriptures out of context. Additionally, the book focuses almost solely on how we might best improve our own spirituality, but gives the reader no admonition to consider how humanity interacts and is involved with each other. The greatest commandment, Jesus says, is to love God. The second is like it, to love our neighbor. The interpretation that Fox offers gives little to no insight upon this, offering an insular approach to Christianity. Finally, although I understand that all are free to determine what belief system they ascribe to, I find myself frustrated with Fox who completely rejects orthodox Christian doctrine because it seems to me that in doing so he allows himself to have wacky viewpoints that seemingly have no basis if you are to hold the viewpoints in light of the totality of scripture. In the beginning chapter Fox denies the Trinity, yet makes use of the Trinity in places where it "fits" with his viewpoint later on in the book. Fox also twists scripture to say that humanity is able to become gods ourselves, which is definitely not biblical.
I think, however, the most frustrating aspect of this book is Fox's extreme tendency to make Jesus' words out to be a prosperity gospel. This is one of the major problems with our Western interpretation of scripture and Christianity and Fox's claims that if we just pray hard enough we'll realize God's will for us, which includes all health and wealth and happiness. The problem with this standpoint is that it doesn't acknowledge the full spectrum that we encounter in life as being part of life. It doesn't leave a space for God to be present with us in our bad times as well as our good. Which then becomes especially problematic if one considers that 2/3 of the world's Christians are living in impoverished conditions.
December 26, 2012
I guess I blew it with the timing of this review. This is a beautiful hardbound reprint of a 1934 classic, clearly meant as a gift option. The publication timing of November 2012 hints of a Christmas gift. Did any of you get Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift certificates for Christmas? My apologies, HarperOne, for not jumping on this sooner, to get the word out.
Let’s start with the dirt on Emmet Fox (1886-1951). He was a spiritual teacher, and served as minister of the Divine Science church in New York during the depression years. “Divine Science” is a New Thought branch, which appears to me to be a watered down version of Christian Science. An emphasis on healing remains, focusing on prayer and positive thinking, but with a little more room for the medical profession to step in where needed. At least, that’s my take.
Fox’s work here on “The Sermon on the Mount” became popular with Alcoholics Anonymous, though it seems to me a bit more ethereal than many current-day A.A. attendees would appreciate. Subtitles abound for this work: not only is this book (and Jesus’ sermon) the “key to success in life,” it is “the timeless manual on the power of positive thinking” and “the classic manual for harmonious living.” You aren’t going to get converted to orthodox Christianity by Fox–”all the doctrines and theologies of the churches are human inventions built up by their authors out of their own mentalities, and foisted upon the Bible from the outside”–but Fox’s appreciation for Jesus still shines. “Higher Critics” are missing the point of the Bible, for it is but a spiritual treatise. As such, you must learn new meanings for many of the words in the Bible: “prosperity,” “earth,” “heaven,” “heart,” these don’t mean what you think they mean.
The great Law of the Universe is this: what you think in your mind you will produce in your experience. Lovers of The Secret will also love Emmet Fox, especially if you have a love also for Jesus, the Master Metaphysician.
Let’s start with the dirt on Emmet Fox (1886-1951). He was a spiritual teacher, and served as minister of the Divine Science church in New York during the depression years. “Divine Science” is a New Thought branch, which appears to me to be a watered down version of Christian Science. An emphasis on healing remains, focusing on prayer and positive thinking, but with a little more room for the medical profession to step in where needed. At least, that’s my take.
Fox’s work here on “The Sermon on the Mount” became popular with Alcoholics Anonymous, though it seems to me a bit more ethereal than many current-day A.A. attendees would appreciate. Subtitles abound for this work: not only is this book (and Jesus’ sermon) the “key to success in life,” it is “the timeless manual on the power of positive thinking” and “the classic manual for harmonious living.” You aren’t going to get converted to orthodox Christianity by Fox–”all the doctrines and theologies of the churches are human inventions built up by their authors out of their own mentalities, and foisted upon the Bible from the outside”–but Fox’s appreciation for Jesus still shines. “Higher Critics” are missing the point of the Bible, for it is but a spiritual treatise. As such, you must learn new meanings for many of the words in the Bible: “prosperity,” “earth,” “heaven,” “heart,” these don’t mean what you think they mean.
The great Law of the Universe is this: what you think in your mind you will produce in your experience. Lovers of The Secret will also love Emmet Fox, especially if you have a love also for Jesus, the Master Metaphysician.
January 16, 2012
Very interesting exploration of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from a "metaphysical Christianity" perspective. Corrnerstone of New Thought ideology...definitely profound thinking... ranks withComplete Works of H. Emilie Cady in terms of a clear, concise and engaging exploration of New Thought theology. Worth reading for any intellectually engaged student of Christ, Christianity, and Spirituality...most mainline and all evangelical Christians will find this highly objectionable and the premises to be down right heretical...I still consider it important, critical reading...fascinating, challenging and thought provoking.
Currently reading
December 9, 2009having read only 30 or so pages I am deeply engrossed by Fox's view of Christianity as distinct from Christian doctrine. I do not consider myself a "religious" person and do not regularly attend church. Fox claims that the most influential man in the history of Man had little use for organized relition...I'm inclined to read more.
April 13, 2025
I'm reading this with a group of friends who meet once a week before an AA meeting. We are not getting very far very fast because this book is so incredible that we read a paragraph or two and then talk about it for ten minutes.
November 1, 2016
On April 4, 1998, I began a journey along the road to happy destiny. I sought a higher power. I was adamantly opposed to Christianity, so I searched elsewhere: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shamanism, and others. Anything but the Judeo-Christian God. My search lasted three years. I was at a cookout and I told a friend that I had been reading the Tao Te Ching. She said, "You should read 'The Sermon on the Mount' by Emmet Fox." "OK. I'll check it out.", I lied. But lo and behold I did. It was my next book. Before I finished the next three paragraphs I had made the decision to become a Christian. Per se, I think it was the sentences in bold.
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
On the surface, this Beatitude seems to have very little meaning, and what there is seems to be obviously contradicted by the plain facts of everyday life. No sensible person on looking about the world or studying history could sincerely accept this saying at its face value, and most honest Christians have passed it by in practice with a regretful feeling that no doubt that is how things ought to be, but that they certainly are not so in fact.
But this attitude will not do. Sooner or later the soul reaches a point where evasions and sophistries have to be discarded once and for all, and the fact of life faced at whatever cost.
Now, either Jesus meant what he said, or he did not; and either he knew what he was talking about, or he did not. And so, if this saying is not to be taken seriously, we are driven to the position which no Christian will care to accept-either that Jesus was saying what he did not really believe, as unscrupulous people do, or that he was talking nonsense. We have to face up to this situation at the very beginning of our study of this Sermon on the Mount. Either Jesus is to be taken seriously, or he is not to be taken seriously, in which case his teaching should be dropped altogether and people should cease to call themselves Christians. To pay lip service to his name, to say that Christianity is the divinely inspired Truth, to boast of being Christians, and then quietly to evade in practice all the definite implications of his teaching, is hypocrisy and weakness of the most utterly fatal kind. Either Jesus is a reliable guide, or he is not. If he is to be relied upon, then let us I pay him the compliment of assuming that he meant what he said, and that he knew best about the art of living. The trouble and sorrow that humanity suffers are really due to the very fact that our mode of life is so opposed to the Truth, that the things that he taught and the things that he said seem to us at first sight to be foolish and wild." - The Sermon on the Mount, Emmet Fox, pg. 25-26.
I will tell you, my decision to become a Christian was completely against my will. That is a fact! I became a Christian on May 16, 2001.
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
On the surface, this Beatitude seems to have very little meaning, and what there is seems to be obviously contradicted by the plain facts of everyday life. No sensible person on looking about the world or studying history could sincerely accept this saying at its face value, and most honest Christians have passed it by in practice with a regretful feeling that no doubt that is how things ought to be, but that they certainly are not so in fact.
But this attitude will not do. Sooner or later the soul reaches a point where evasions and sophistries have to be discarded once and for all, and the fact of life faced at whatever cost.
Now, either Jesus meant what he said, or he did not; and either he knew what he was talking about, or he did not. And so, if this saying is not to be taken seriously, we are driven to the position which no Christian will care to accept-either that Jesus was saying what he did not really believe, as unscrupulous people do, or that he was talking nonsense. We have to face up to this situation at the very beginning of our study of this Sermon on the Mount. Either Jesus is to be taken seriously, or he is not to be taken seriously, in which case his teaching should be dropped altogether and people should cease to call themselves Christians. To pay lip service to his name, to say that Christianity is the divinely inspired Truth, to boast of being Christians, and then quietly to evade in practice all the definite implications of his teaching, is hypocrisy and weakness of the most utterly fatal kind. Either Jesus is a reliable guide, or he is not. If he is to be relied upon, then let us I pay him the compliment of assuming that he meant what he said, and that he knew best about the art of living. The trouble and sorrow that humanity suffers are really due to the very fact that our mode of life is so opposed to the Truth, that the things that he taught and the things that he said seem to us at first sight to be foolish and wild." - The Sermon on the Mount, Emmet Fox, pg. 25-26.
I will tell you, my decision to become a Christian was completely against my will. That is a fact! I became a Christian on May 16, 2001.
February 19, 2009
A few books will turn your perspective on a subject upside down. If the subject is spiritual life, then this book will do that. A careful study of these famous passages from Matthew 5 and 6 will disabuse you of many bad spiritual habits and thoughts. Fox's thorough digestion of the material adds clarity to the call, a call to a closer walk with Christ. There is a chapter devoted to every phrase in the Lord's Prayer. This book is a keeper.
September 28, 2012
The Law of The Universe - What you think in your mind you will produce in your experience. As within, So without....
Great Book, can't wait to read a few more times and really get to know God's Will for me in all areas of my life.
Great Book, can't wait to read a few more times and really get to know God's Will for me in all areas of my life.
October 24, 2013
I have been on an Emmet Fox reading bender. I cannot get enough of this writing. Self help from 1932? Yes please! Also, a breakdown of bible symbolism. Very cool.
September 13, 2015
My dad passes a lot of spiritual books my way. I really like this one, especially the interpretation of the Lord's Prayer. One could easily just read that section. Inspiring!!
November 8, 2021
This is the BEST book I read in October 2021.
Another book that might not be for everyone. You might start reading it and not resonate with it.
And that is fine. Because if I had started reading this book only a few years ago, I would've likely stopped reading it.
May you, at some point in your life, start reading this book and resonate with it.
Flow: 5/5
Actionability: 5/5
Mindset: 5/5
Some of My Highlights:
"However you regard hi, the fact will remain that the life and death of Jesus, and the teachings attributed to him have influenced the course of human history more than those of any other man who has ever lived; more than Alexander, or Caesar, or Charlemagne, or Napoleon, or Washington."
"...if someone can raise his consciousness above the limitations of the physical plane in connection with the matter... then the conditions on that plane will change..."
"Enough prayer will get you out of your difficulty if only you will be persistent enough in your appeal to God."
"It is the Spiritual Key that unlocks the mystery of the Bible teaching in general..."
"...above all, the parable is used to convey spiritual and metaphysical truth."
"...the truth is that the whole of our life's experience is but the outer expression of inner thought."
"... every time you overcome a difficulty by prayer, you help the whole human race, past, present, and future, in a general way..."
"Jesus concerned himself exclusively with the teaching of general principles, and these general principles always had to do with mental states..."
"...he gives us no detailed instructions about what we are to do or are not to do..."
"Indeed, the whole current of his teaching is anti-ritualistic, anti-formalist."
"The Bible is really a textbook of metaphysics, a manual for the growth of the soul..."
"From the point of view of the soul, success in prayer is the only kind of prosperity worth having; and if our prayers are successful, we shall naturally have all the material things that we need."
"...but because we have great possessions in the way of preconceived ideas - confidence in our own judgment, and in the ideas with which we happen to be familiar; spiritual pride, born of academic distinction; sentimental or material attachment to institutions and organizations; habits of life that we have no desire to renounce; concern for human respect, or perhaps fear of public ridicule; or a vested interest it worldly honor and distinction. And these possessions keep us chained to the rock of suffering that is our exile from God."
"The humble and unlearned folk who head the Master gladly were happy in having no such possession to tempt them away from the Truth."
"The poor in spirit suffer from none of these embarrassments, either because they never had them, or because they have risen above them on the tide of spiritual understanding."
"Nevertheless, trouble and suffering are often extremely useful, because many people will not bother to learn the Truth until driven to do so by sorrow and failure."
"But most people will not undertake the search for God wholeheartedly unless driven thereto by trouble of some kind."
"...but the key to higher mansions is always the acquiring of complete dominion over the one in which we are."
"...but if we will not do so, then come they must, and for us this mourning will be a blessing in disguise, for through it we shall be 'comforted.'"
"...but the unflinching realist that only a great mystic can be..."
"He did not, therefore, think of it as self-sacrifice, for he knew it to be the highest form of self-glorification in the true and wonderful sense of the word."
"If you want to control your circumstances for harmony and happiness, you must first control your thoughts for harmony and happiness, and then the outer things will follow. If you want health, you must first think health..."
"...destructive emotion is one of the primary causes of disease."
"If you want material prosperity, you must first think prosperity thoughts, and then make a habit of doing so, for the thing that keeps most people poor is the sheer habit of poverty thinking."
"The answer lies in the extraordinary potency of habit; and habits of thinking are at once the most subtle in character and the most difficult to break."
"If you are not progressing as fast as you wish to, the remedy is - to be still more careful to hold only harmonious thoughts."
"Claim Wisdom. Claim Power, or prosperity in prayer."
"If we are not making any progress at all, then we cannot be praying in the right way, and it is for us to find out why, by examining our lives, and by praying for wisdom and guidance."
"Kind actions coupled with unkind thoughts are hypocrisy, dictated by fear, or desire for self-glory, or some such motive."
Another book that might not be for everyone. You might start reading it and not resonate with it.
And that is fine. Because if I had started reading this book only a few years ago, I would've likely stopped reading it.
May you, at some point in your life, start reading this book and resonate with it.
Flow: 5/5
Actionability: 5/5
Mindset: 5/5
Some of My Highlights:
"However you regard hi, the fact will remain that the life and death of Jesus, and the teachings attributed to him have influenced the course of human history more than those of any other man who has ever lived; more than Alexander, or Caesar, or Charlemagne, or Napoleon, or Washington."
"...if someone can raise his consciousness above the limitations of the physical plane in connection with the matter... then the conditions on that plane will change..."
"Enough prayer will get you out of your difficulty if only you will be persistent enough in your appeal to God."
"It is the Spiritual Key that unlocks the mystery of the Bible teaching in general..."
"...above all, the parable is used to convey spiritual and metaphysical truth."
"...the truth is that the whole of our life's experience is but the outer expression of inner thought."
"... every time you overcome a difficulty by prayer, you help the whole human race, past, present, and future, in a general way..."
"Jesus concerned himself exclusively with the teaching of general principles, and these general principles always had to do with mental states..."
"...he gives us no detailed instructions about what we are to do or are not to do..."
"Indeed, the whole current of his teaching is anti-ritualistic, anti-formalist."
"The Bible is really a textbook of metaphysics, a manual for the growth of the soul..."
"From the point of view of the soul, success in prayer is the only kind of prosperity worth having; and if our prayers are successful, we shall naturally have all the material things that we need."
"...but because we have great possessions in the way of preconceived ideas - confidence in our own judgment, and in the ideas with which we happen to be familiar; spiritual pride, born of academic distinction; sentimental or material attachment to institutions and organizations; habits of life that we have no desire to renounce; concern for human respect, or perhaps fear of public ridicule; or a vested interest it worldly honor and distinction. And these possessions keep us chained to the rock of suffering that is our exile from God."
"The humble and unlearned folk who head the Master gladly were happy in having no such possession to tempt them away from the Truth."
"The poor in spirit suffer from none of these embarrassments, either because they never had them, or because they have risen above them on the tide of spiritual understanding."
"Nevertheless, trouble and suffering are often extremely useful, because many people will not bother to learn the Truth until driven to do so by sorrow and failure."
"But most people will not undertake the search for God wholeheartedly unless driven thereto by trouble of some kind."
"...but the key to higher mansions is always the acquiring of complete dominion over the one in which we are."
"...but if we will not do so, then come they must, and for us this mourning will be a blessing in disguise, for through it we shall be 'comforted.'"
"...but the unflinching realist that only a great mystic can be..."
"He did not, therefore, think of it as self-sacrifice, for he knew it to be the highest form of self-glorification in the true and wonderful sense of the word."
"If you want to control your circumstances for harmony and happiness, you must first control your thoughts for harmony and happiness, and then the outer things will follow. If you want health, you must first think health..."
"...destructive emotion is one of the primary causes of disease."
"If you want material prosperity, you must first think prosperity thoughts, and then make a habit of doing so, for the thing that keeps most people poor is the sheer habit of poverty thinking."
"The answer lies in the extraordinary potency of habit; and habits of thinking are at once the most subtle in character and the most difficult to break."
"If you are not progressing as fast as you wish to, the remedy is - to be still more careful to hold only harmonious thoughts."
"Claim Wisdom. Claim Power, or prosperity in prayer."
"If we are not making any progress at all, then we cannot be praying in the right way, and it is for us to find out why, by examining our lives, and by praying for wisdom and guidance."
"Kind actions coupled with unkind thoughts are hypocrisy, dictated by fear, or desire for self-glory, or some such motive."
April 24, 2020
Second time through this book. This time with two close friends for about an hour at a time. A bit erudite and at times wordy to the point of confusing the point he is trying to make. The subject matter and principles are however unbeatable. Thank you John and Glenn!
October 19, 2011
WE are all on a spiritual journey, granted some of us haven't yet acknowledged our quest, some of us are only in the beginning, and others are in the middle. While others are living the most peaceful, blessed, happiest lives ever even before thought imaginable or possible - these few are continuously living in God's presence. The author is one of the many, trying to share the Truth with those who are ready to hear it. The author's teachings are simplistic and profound. an enjoyable read that could easily change your life.
October 13, 2012
The Sermon on the Mount is a Text Book I first read back in 2010.It has become the basic text in the many Emmet Fox books I now Study and use for meditations. The sermon on the Mount is a book that helps me gain spiritual perception, understand the nature of Divine Wisdome and the power of prayer.
October 16, 2019
Disfrute de esta lectura porque enseña cómo transformar las actitudes negativas. De una manera concreta explica leyes cósmicas y formas viables pra mejora nuestra vida y llegar a tener paz. Me dio una nueva compresión sobre las enseñanzas de Jesús.
Comprendí la importancia de desarrollar una personalidad armónica.
Obrigada
Comprendí la importancia de desarrollar una personalidad armónica.
Obrigada
May 27, 2021
I remember Osho saying something along the lines of the Bible being total bullshit and only the Sermon on the Mount being a truly valuable text in it.
I cannot vouch for this as I have not read the Bible in its entirety. But I can say with good confidence that the Sermon on the Mount is sublime indeed.
I cannot vouch for this as I have not read the Bible in its entirety. But I can say with good confidence that the Sermon on the Mount is sublime indeed.
December 30, 2021
“This true, interior soul-peace was known to the mystics as serenity.” 😊🙏
Read
December 28, 2020Read this twice. Great book.
February 11, 2025
Emmet Fox, se ha convertido en uno de mis autores y teólogos favoritos.
January 31, 2025
Read it twice and plan to read it 100 times because Emmet Fox delves into the depths of the Sermon on the Mount. He contends that revelation without manifestation is just information. The Sermon on the Mount was given for us to bear fruit.
March 1, 2014
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, the 12 Steps and the underlying principles have gained almost mythical significance to those who claim their sobriety as a result of exposure to them and who adhere to the dogma that has evolved through their constant rehashing at meetings. This book was primary in the evolution of both the Program and the Big Book, the adaption of Fox's ideas was by no means entirely consistent with everything he proposed, (they were often inexpertly rehashed) but the more than substantial debt owed to this publication by both Big Book and program becomes obvious once they are put together. It is interesting now to note some 80 years after the first great impact AA was to have on the terrible scourge of Alcoholism, that the Program as it is often expressed by its adherents has become just another dogma and the basic motivating ideas put forward by Fox and adopted by the Founders have been all but subsumed in a plethora of perceived wisdom and, dare I say it sometimes exclusivist bigotry. The message is still there in the literature but one needs some assistance in interpreting it and that gained from meetings and sponsors often tends towards a pushing of their own views and opinions rather than the founding principles.
This tract by Fox was produced as part of the early 20th Century movement against the religious interpretation of the Bible's teachings into fixed, inflexible dogma with little relevance to the living of life. It is now time for the revitalisation of AA teachings for the same purpose. There is nothing wrong with the message, but to understand much of what it doesn't say this book is a must read. Essentially the AA Program is a personal one, and it is not only a way to renounce the drink but more importantly a way of life. This book was written with the same purpose.
Personally, I found the book really interesting. The Christian message never really rang true to me as it was related to me and I have gravitated towards Buddhist practice that has become the central plank of my own daily program. In explorinng that path the similarities between Buddhism and AA teachings struck me from the beginning. Exploring this little book, though the language is different there is much that Fox says that could be taken directly from Buddhist texts.
This tract by Fox was produced as part of the early 20th Century movement against the religious interpretation of the Bible's teachings into fixed, inflexible dogma with little relevance to the living of life. It is now time for the revitalisation of AA teachings for the same purpose. There is nothing wrong with the message, but to understand much of what it doesn't say this book is a must read. Essentially the AA Program is a personal one, and it is not only a way to renounce the drink but more importantly a way of life. This book was written with the same purpose.
Personally, I found the book really interesting. The Christian message never really rang true to me as it was related to me and I have gravitated towards Buddhist practice that has become the central plank of my own daily program. In explorinng that path the similarities between Buddhism and AA teachings struck me from the beginning. Exploring this little book, though the language is different there is much that Fox says that could be taken directly from Buddhist texts.
May 1, 2018
I had read in many places that this book was a 'classic' in religious literature. While it may be a 'classic,' it in no way made any real connection with me.
Written in the 1930s, this book reflects some of the theological thinking of the era. Fox consistently refers back to concepts he calls "Spiritual Truth," "Scientific Christianity," and that the Bible is really about "Metaphysics." Over and over Fox takes words from the Sermon on the Mount and declares that the words have far deeper meanings (not only for us, but to original readers" than what we commonly understand. Whereas I understand the writings of the Gospels as attempts to witness to Jesus' message about the Kingdom of God, Fox uses these writings to delve into more 'technical Truth" that, apparently, has been unrevealed for generations before him.
Fox states that if we had true connection to this Truth, we could pray away any disease. I am a firm believer in prayer - but as a means of connecting with God and listening for God's word for me, not to bypass the doctor's office. Other such strenuous claims fill the pages of this book as well.
I struggled just to get through this book because it is so,so, so disconnected from my understanding of Jesus, the Gospels and the message of Christianity. Now admittedly, there were a few points of agreement I could hold with Fox, but these tend to be few and far between.
I simply could not connect with this book or author. Perhaps others will have more success than I.....
Written in the 1930s, this book reflects some of the theological thinking of the era. Fox consistently refers back to concepts he calls "Spiritual Truth," "Scientific Christianity," and that the Bible is really about "Metaphysics." Over and over Fox takes words from the Sermon on the Mount and declares that the words have far deeper meanings (not only for us, but to original readers" than what we commonly understand. Whereas I understand the writings of the Gospels as attempts to witness to Jesus' message about the Kingdom of God, Fox uses these writings to delve into more 'technical Truth" that, apparently, has been unrevealed for generations before him.
Fox states that if we had true connection to this Truth, we could pray away any disease. I am a firm believer in prayer - but as a means of connecting with God and listening for God's word for me, not to bypass the doctor's office. Other such strenuous claims fill the pages of this book as well.
I struggled just to get through this book because it is so,so, so disconnected from my understanding of Jesus, the Gospels and the message of Christianity. Now admittedly, there were a few points of agreement I could hold with Fox, but these tend to be few and far between.
I simply could not connect with this book or author. Perhaps others will have more success than I.....
April 19, 2019
This is the kind of book that comes to you in the moment when you're ready for it. I started it several months ago and, despite being already acquainted with the principles of New Thought, I ended up interrupting it. I was somehow always tired and not really "getting" what the author was trying to say. Now last week I felt an actual urge to reading it and I did so just within a few days.
The key to understanding the message here is, of course, an open mind, but also an open heart. We've often heard "The Lord works in mysterious ways", sometimes He also communicates like that too, but it's books like these which help us realize that the Truth we long for has always been in front of us. We just have to be willing to remove the clutter of religious dogmas and concentrate on the actual core of the message: Love.
Regardless of anyone's beliefs, we all have to admit that Jesus was one of the greatest if not The Greatest Master to have walked among us leaving this message of love to a human society that wasn't ready to understand Him. If we go behind the written text that has been given to us by the Bible's authors, if we realize that much of it has been allegories, different interpretations, etc., and instead we focus on seeing the applicability that these principles can have on our actual daily lives, we can live a more fulfilled life.
This, of course, is not without struggle. This book can give you a great orientation, but it's up to us to seek the Message and do what we have to do to make it act in us.
The key to understanding the message here is, of course, an open mind, but also an open heart. We've often heard "The Lord works in mysterious ways", sometimes He also communicates like that too, but it's books like these which help us realize that the Truth we long for has always been in front of us. We just have to be willing to remove the clutter of religious dogmas and concentrate on the actual core of the message: Love.
Regardless of anyone's beliefs, we all have to admit that Jesus was one of the greatest if not The Greatest Master to have walked among us leaving this message of love to a human society that wasn't ready to understand Him. If we go behind the written text that has been given to us by the Bible's authors, if we realize that much of it has been allegories, different interpretations, etc., and instead we focus on seeing the applicability that these principles can have on our actual daily lives, we can live a more fulfilled life.
This, of course, is not without struggle. This book can give you a great orientation, but it's up to us to seek the Message and do what we have to do to make it act in us.
July 26, 2012
Emmet Fox and I do not agree on more than a few little issues BUT he deconstructs the "body" of religion for the separation it places between the individual and Jesus. Through Fox I was able to leave spiritual abuse behind and find comfort in the true teachings of Christ.
Believe me, the inspiring message in this book for me has allowed me to find a relationship with
Jesus who truly did come to bring us a message of life, love and deliverance from ourselves and from
those in religion whose purpose is to actually alienate us from loving God.
At this stage in my life my beliefs have further evolved. That could not have happened if I had not read and reread this book
Believe me, the inspiring message in this book for me has allowed me to find a relationship with
Jesus who truly did come to bring us a message of life, love and deliverance from ourselves and from
those in religion whose purpose is to actually alienate us from loving God.
At this stage in my life my beliefs have further evolved. That could not have happened if I had not read and reread this book
September 13, 2020
The basic premise is that Jesus' teachings were not based in rules pertaining to conduct but rather a spiritual awakening that begins with your inner self. Change your thoughts and you will change your life. What you focus on and think about today will manifest itself tomorrow. Put good out into the world and good will return to you. Sin is our separation from God and our fellow Man. Sin is the sequel to negative thoughts. Through thought alteration you can remove sin, better the lives of others and change your own destiny.
More emphasis on the metaphysical approach especially for a Catholic but there are many well founded principles in this short book.
More emphasis on the metaphysical approach especially for a Catholic but there are many well founded principles in this short book.
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March 30, 2010there seems to be a consensus of authors in this era towards personal growth via the God path. They also tend to lean toward each person being soley responsible for their own growth and not by following the main stream religious order. I've always felt this way and have no interest in being preached at, or being directed by organized religion of any sort. Each to his own in his relationship to his God. This book offers no real choice to spiritual growth, just opportunity to discover we are responsible, no one else.
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