The Sermon on the Mount

A narrative introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

By Carl Fredrik Aas

This is an easy-to-read, narrative introduction  to the Sermon on the Mount. The story revolves around  a discussion at a family dinner, during which the principles in the Sermon on the Mount are addressed and shows that these principles are helpful in solving the challenges of life in the 21st century.

The six family members each harbour a deep secret they have not shared with the others before. All of their stories are true, but names and details have been changed, so the individuals involved cannot be recognised. The story begins with one family member pleading for a loan of £70,000 pounds to prevent the bank from repossessing his house. What should the family do?

The secrets that surface during the discussion touch on for- giveness, happiness,  anxiety,  and addiction, and give rise to questions: If God loves us, why does He let us experience dif- ficulties? Why does He allow us to suffer? Why doesn’t God answer our prayers, when Jesus says we can ask anything in His name? What exactly is love? How do we understand God’s love?

“This book can be helpful in understanding the main points in the Sermon on the Mount,  and can be useful in Bible discussion groups.” Professor in theology, University of Oslo

Hans Kvalbein (1942–2013)

The author has a degree in Business Administration  and a Masters degree in Theology from the University of Oslo. He was the business manager for a large company for 20 years and is now a pastor and writer. He is on the board of a Norwegian national organization, which supports relatives of those suffering from mental illness. He lives outside Oslo, is married, and has two daughters.