There has been talk lately about bringing Bible teaching back into schools. If the Bible is taught in school, we should focus on how to live by the Beatitudes.
After reading and studying the Bible for 25 or more years, I am convinced that it is basically an historical book filled with “laws, legends and histories of overlapping ancient cultures” (Rev. Dr. Jesse Jennings).
The Beatitudes in the New Testament sum up the major teachings of Jesus. They are not the Ten Commandments as we know them, nor are they the chapters and chapters devoted to the Law, which really applied only to the people at the time. I stopped reading and studying much of the Bible because I found that the true way to live was by following the teachings of Jesus.
Following is the text, from Mathew, Chapter 5, containing the Beatitude:
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Later in this chapter, Jesus says he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill them. He taught us a new way to live our lives without the harshness of the Jewish Laws.
Generally speaking, people seem to gravitate towards a set of rules to follow. I guess it is easier to relate to the ‘thou shalt not’ as written in the Ten Commandments. At the same time, the Beatitudes address our hearts and attitudes towards others. To me, that can mean a change of heart, spirit, and mind. It requires us to be active with our feelings about ourselves and those around us.
If a government establishment wished to post the Ten Commandments in its buildings, I suggest posting the Beatitudes instead. To live by the Beatitudes would make us all better people!