Blessed are the Peacemakers: Christ's Teachings of Love, Compassion, and Forgiveness

by Wendell Berry (Compiler)

"For two millennia, artists, social and cultural activists, politicians and philosophers, humanists and devoted spiritual seekers have all looked to the sayings of Jesus for inspiration and instruction. While at work on another project, Wendell Berry began to note the actual teachings of Jesus about understanding, compassion, and forgiveness. And he began to wonder how a large segment of the Christian community could ignore the bold and direct teachings offered by Christ and recorded by the authors of the Gospels. How could a community founded on peaceableness become a community encouraging war on its neighbors? How could a community founded on compassion and forgiveness become enflamed by intolerance? He suggests if we ask the question, "What would Jesus do?" we would profit looking directly at what He said and did in the only record we have of His teaching." This book collects the sayings of Jesus selected by Wendell Berry, who has contributed two essays of introduction and context. Here is a way of peace, a challenge offered by the greatest spiritual teacher in the West, a book of inspiration, of prayerful compassion, and we may hope a call to action at a time when our country and the world it once led stand at a dangerous crossroads.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Essays

80 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Wendell Berry is a conservationist, farmer, essayist, novelist, professor of English and poet. He was born August 5, 1934 in Henry County, Kentucky where he now lives on a farm. The New York Times has called Berry the "prophet of rural America."

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How could a community founded on compassion and forgiveness become enflamed by intolerance?" For someone who has battled faith most my life, questions like this are the norm. I never doubted the wisdom or inspiration of Jesus's sayings, but rather the sincerity of so many who profess to follow them. In this short, lovely little book, Wendell Berry has selected some of Jesus's sayings on Love, Compassion and Forgiveness. The book closes with an essay by Wendell, 'The Burden of the Gospels'. It is spot on. To know that a writer and intellectual, that I have long admired, wrestles with these ideas while maintaining a strong faith, does much to soothe my soul. Someone once asked, if you could have a drink with any author, who would it be? I pick Wendell Berry. I'd like to sit on his country porch in Kentucky, staring out across his family land and talk humanity/spirituality while sipping some fine bourbon.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is 68 pages, so not much ground is covered, but it's still profound. Basically, Berry gives a short introduction about how Christians are not following the admonitions of Jesus regarding peace and forgiveness, then cites the main passages of each gospel that address this point, then gives some follow-up thoughts. It's more than worth reading.

Some of my favorite lines:

"Love is evidently not just a feeling but is indistinguishable from a willingness to help, to be useful to one another."

"Reductive religion is just as objectionable as reductive science, and for the same reason: Reality is large, and our minds are small."

"We need to remember Jesus's repeated admonitions to his disciples: You don't know; you don't understand; you've got it wrong."

"They have justified their disobedience on the grounds of the impracticality of obedience, though we have little proof of the practicality of disobedience, and precious few examples of obedience. The implication invariably has been that for a few feckless worshippers of God to obey Christ's commandments may be all right, but in practical matters such as war and preparation for war we will obey Caesar. The Christian followers of Caesar have thus committed themselves to the absurdity that they can neither resolve nor escape: the proposition that war can be made to serve peace; that you can make friends for love by hating and killing the enemies of love. This has never succeeded, and its failure is never acknowledged, which is a further absurdity."

[Macaria Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berry tells us that the difficult passages of the Bible are not difficult because they are hard to understand. This small work is written with great fidelity to the Scripture as it is written. It is a very readable and worthwhile little book written by a man who generally only discusses theology through the guise of character and plot.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Wendell Berry was a man of faith. It shone through in his other writings.

Using the four gospels, Wendell brings forth some truths and questions. I would have otherwise not thought about. I am thankful for this little book, and the ‘Holiness’ we followers of Jesus seek. ✝️

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. The author's intro floored me.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me less than a half an hour to read. I've been wanting to read something by Wendell Berry for quite some time now, so I took a shot at this one and got it on my Kindle. Essentially, Berry goes through the Gospels and finds all of the things that Jesus says about peace, forgiveness, love, and compassion. Then, the author writes a brief reflection on these passages. Berry asks anyone who professes to be a Christian to answer two questions: first, if you knew nothing at all about Jesus--that is, if you were one of his first disciples 2,000 years ago--would you follow him? Second, he asks, would you really do everything he says, exactly as he says it? In Berry's brief comments, he brings up some remarkable points about literalism, mystery, and the 'burden of the Gospels.' I can already tell that I love this man, and I'll be reading much, much more of his writing. He is a talented writer; I like his style (his prose reminds me, oddly enough, of David McCoullough, who I also adore).

A short read with much to ponder. Good stuff. I'm only giving it four stars because I wanted it to be longer!

[Angel C.]

I have heard such great things about Wendell Berry, both about his books & his activism. So when I saw that he wrote about Christ's teaching, I was super excited. I think I set myself up for failure though... This book is short, maybe 50 or so pages. Basically there is a VERY short intro by Wendell, a listing of important Scripture, then a very brief conclusion by Wendell. I expected this book to be nothing but his commentary (as it was so small) but his writing only makes up a small portion. Overall, I was disappointed. But this will not stop me from reading further works of his in the future. :)

[Mason Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise.

[Sassa]

I enjoyed Mr. Berry’s novel is “Jayber Crow” but we diverge in held beliefs in this theological treatise.

[Bobby Thym · Rating 5 out of 5]

I call this book the “Wendell Berry Bible” since he culls together all of Jesus’ statements that reflect his humility, compassion, tolerance and desire for peaceful relations with one’s neighbors. Berry wrote this book when he saw the Bush Administration preparing for war. However, when President Trump’s sadistic impulses and Machiavellian deceptions appeal to the worst demons in our collective psyche, these statement should remind us of the tru message of the Gospels.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book that starts with an introduction, has King James Version quotes around what Jesus had to say about peace, and finishes with an essay. I read this several years ago and wanted to re-read it when our preacher announced a sermon series on Blessed Are The Peacemakers. The book is a little bit different than the sermon series (both are good).

[Genjiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendell Berry's commentary has always been inspirational and instructive, and this summation into the teachings of Christ is no different. There is a deep devotion to peace and love based on the Gospels which every warmongering politician today would do good to reflect upon.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Some theological red flags. And annoyingly the entire point of his essay seemed to be derailed at the end by a lament for the state of the environment. Not sure it worked as a cohesive piece of writing.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of this short book (68 pages) was not original content; rather, it was carefully-selected excerpts of the gospels. The rest of the book was Berry's takedown of a materialistic, imperialistic, power-hungry culture.

This was my favorite part of the book:
"We know we don't have to look far to find people who equate more abundant life with a bigger car, a bigger house, a bigger bank account, and a bigger church. They are wrong, of course. If Jesus meant only that we should have more possessions or even more 'life expectancy,' then John 10:10 is no more remarkable than an advertisement for any commodity whatever. Abundance, in this verse, cannot refer to an abundance of material possessions, for life does not require a material abundance; it requires only a material sufficiency. That sufficiency granted, life itself, which is a membership in the living world, is already an abundance."

[Michael Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short read.

“To the offer of more abundant life, we have chosen to respond with the economics of extinction.”

“When Jesus speaks of having life more abundantly, this, I think, is the life He means: a life that is not reducible by division, category, or degree, but is one thing, heavenly and earthly, spiritual and material, divided only insofar as it is embodied in distinct creatures. He is talking about a finite world that is infinitely holy, a world of time that is filled with life that is eternal. His offer of more abundant life, then, is not an invitation to declare ourselves as certified “Christians,” but rather to become conscious, consenting, and responsible participants in the one great life, a fulfillment hardly institutional at all.”

[Francine Apollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book, just 68 pages. I am a fan of Mr. Berry and am reading the Beatitudes with intention this year. It made sense to seek out this book. I was rewarded with more grist for my meditation mill.
The book has an Introduction, the contributions from each of the Gospel writers and Berry's thoughts on Christians who strive to live the teachings of Jesus.
This is a powerful and thoughtful book for those who are seeking to live their committment to Christianity more fully. Published in 2005, it is more relevant today than perhaps at any other time in Christian history.
Highly recommended.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read but oh so much to digest in its 68 pages. “To take the Gospels seriously, to assume that they say what they mean and mean what they say, is the beginning of troubles.” (p.55) Indeed.
Berry’s introductory and concluding remarks bookend Jesus’ words from each of the gospels about love, compassion, forgiveness, and peace.
I know I will need to read this book many times over to absorb Berry’s perspective; accepting the mystery of the gospels - that there is much we don’t know, can know, and much we will have to wrestle with as we work out how to live the way of love, and follow Jesus. (5/5 stars.)

[Zane Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim book contains an introductory essay; selected sayings of Jesus about love, compassion, and forgiveness; and a very sharp essay originally printed in Christian Century called "The Burden of the Gospels." In a sense, what Berry has produced is a J'Accuse or a "Gotcha" moment without any of the bombast or bitterness. He calls to mind the actions of Christians in positions of power and wealth, then presents the words of Jesus, their ostensible leader, and finally notes with sadness and confusion that exhibits A and B, so to speak, don't match up very well at all, and the world is the worse for it.

[Joshua Carney · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is an essay really ... with an introduction.

the bulk of the book is Berry's selection of peacemaking texts from the gospels.

I was very excited when I looked at the table of contents, thinking that Berry would actually give commentary on the individual gospels. In his essay at the end, he does, kind of.

quick read. that being said, like anything he writes, it worth reading.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, Berry does a better than average job of asking questions and provoking thought. Much of the book is done well and hits the mark. He does miss somewhat when he discusses literalism and when his focus seems to shift from Creator to creation at times, but if you read much of Mr. Berry this is somewhat typical. Overall it is worth reading!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt very disjointed to me. It's basically a bunch of topically similar verses from the bible thrown together with an intro and exit essay written by Wendell Berry. The opening was good but then there was nothing but a smattering of verses until the end. I was hoping for more of his views and interpretations but it was all left very open ended.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you simply read it to know Berry’s views on theological topics, then it’s an interesting read. He’s not very convincing in his interpretation of Scripture regarding loving God and the Good Samaritan. However, I can appreciate his desire to impress upon people the importance of taking God’s word’s seriously.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on Biblical verse regarding peace, how being "blessed" doesn't mean money or longevity (being alive is blessing enough). Rather, how the inner tranquility that comes with loving all equally as God intended brings about abundant peace.

[Carey Smoak · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, but thoughtful book on the subject of peace. Most of the book is composed of quotes from the Gospels about peace and then a short section at the end of the book discussing the subject of peace.

[Grace DiGennaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Simple, challenging, succinct, and encouraging. Wendell Berry starts and finishes with humility and hard truths, and helps anyone to think through the immutable call of Christ to peace, and the burden and gift of love.

[Mason Unrau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berry consistently provides simple reminders with a mastery of the English language and sound reasoning.
This book is a compact reminder on how those under the Christian title should aim to participate in the world.

[Kevin DaVee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if we took the Sermon on the Mount seriously...

[Daniela Calota · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful philosophical insight on the beautiful teaching of Christ, wonderful:)

[Cameron Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a lot shorter than I expected, but Wendell makes some great points

[Bailey T. Hurley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for more from this book. What Berry had to say on peace was good but also just left his conclusions open ended for the reader.