Fundamentals of the Christian Faith in the Light of the Gospels
by Maulana Sadr-ud-Din
No Mention of Church Dogma in the Sermon on the Mount
The teaching of Jesus, called the Sermon on the Mount, reads as follows:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matthew, 5:3–12).
The Sermon on the Mount, is very well known and renowned, on account of these notable teachings for it contains the essence of the teachings of Jesus. It is also renowned for the fact that it comprises the most ennobling doctrines.
In this important Sermon, Jesus has made no mention whatsoever of his Divinity, nor that of the doctrine of Trinity. Similarly, he has not taught that humanity is sinful by nature, and that therefore he will lay down his life on the Cross for the salvation of mankind. In fine, the principles preached by the modern Christianity are nowhere to be found in the Sermon on the Mount. On the other hand, what the Sermon on the Mount teaches goes against the modern Christian beliefs. Jesus could not have omitted to mention the prevalent Christian dogmas, if they were the fundamentals of the religion that he taught. On the contrary, the Sermon enunciates some of the noblest qualities that are part and parcel of human nature. Mankind loves virtue and hates vice. In the light of these facts Jesus cannot be held responsible for the offensive notion of the inherent sinfulness of mankind and the untenable dogma of Atonement.