"The Sermon on the Mount never was, is not, and never can be a private affair. Jesus spoke to all who would hear him....The Christian community is taken to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world in the inbreaking messianic time. Therefore, it is sent into all areas of public life to witness to the promise, as well as to Jesus' claim to all his Father's creatures. There are no longer autonomies in the political, social, economic, cultural, national, and international spheres that at least would not have to be irritated by the gospel. The exposition of the Sermon on the Mount in terms of a private affair is the reaction of an Enlightenment tolerance. It is actually a rejection of the gospel as God's reaching out for his world."
Ernst Kasemann, On Being a Disciple of the Crucified Nazarene, (Page 131)
Not much comment needed - except, how about irritability as a key competence of a Christian community being faithful to the Gospel and engaging with our culture.....hmmmm?
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