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The Sermon on the Mount: The Character of a Disciple
The Sermon on the The Character of a Disciple by Daniel M. Doriani [P ...
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2006
2 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Daniel M. Doriani
32 books19 followersAfter a decade as senior pastor of Central Presbyterian church in Clayton, Missouri, Dr. Doriani returned to Covenant Seminary full time in October 2013 to serve as vice president of strategic academic projects and professor of theology.
In this role, he teaches two core courses for the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program—Christian Ethics and Reformation and Modern Church History—as well as some elective courses on exegesis and church life. He also speaks in churches and conferences on behalf of the Seminary in ways that advance the mission of Covenant.
Dr. Doriani previously served in various roles at the Seminary from 1991 to 2003, including professor of New Testament, dean of faculty, and vice president of academics. While pastoring at Central, he continued teaching as adjunct professor of systematic theology. He has extensive teaching and pastoral experience as an interim, assistant, associate, and solo pastor, and has been involved in several planning and study committees at the presbytery level in both the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). He was chair of the PCA’s Theological Examining Committee from 1999 to 2000. Among his many books are Getting the Message: A Plan for Interpreting and Applying the Bible (P&R, 1996); Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Application (P&R, 2001); The Life of a God-Made Man (Crossway, 2001); and commentaries on Matthew, James, and 1 Peter in P&R’s Reformed Expository Commentaries series. He is also a contributing blogger for The Gospel Coalition.
Dr. Doriani and his wife, Debbie, live in Chesterfield, Missouri, and have three grown daughters.
In this role, he teaches two core courses for the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program—Christian Ethics and Reformation and Modern Church History—as well as some elective courses on exegesis and church life. He also speaks in churches and conferences on behalf of the Seminary in ways that advance the mission of Covenant.
Dr. Doriani previously served in various roles at the Seminary from 1991 to 2003, including professor of New Testament, dean of faculty, and vice president of academics. While pastoring at Central, he continued teaching as adjunct professor of systematic theology. He has extensive teaching and pastoral experience as an interim, assistant, associate, and solo pastor, and has been involved in several planning and study committees at the presbytery level in both the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). He was chair of the PCA’s Theological Examining Committee from 1999 to 2000. Among his many books are Getting the Message: A Plan for Interpreting and Applying the Bible (P&R, 1996); Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Application (P&R, 2001); The Life of a God-Made Man (Crossway, 2001); and commentaries on Matthew, James, and 1 Peter in P&R’s Reformed Expository Commentaries series. He is also a contributing blogger for The Gospel Coalition.
Dr. Doriani and his wife, Debbie, live in Chesterfield, Missouri, and have three grown daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 23, 2025
Doriani's commentary on the Sermon on the Mount is very pastoral, spending more time illustrating the truths of Scripture in an understandable and relevant way rather than rehashing what has already been said by many commentators (Lloyd Jones, Calvin, Stott, Carson, etc.). Some who have rating this book have marked it down as a result of his methodology, categorizing it as "shallow" or "uninformative." For me, however, it is precisely because of his approach that I love reading Doriani.
He is both accessible and interactive. He knew we could all pick up one of the classic exegetes and commentators, and instead gave us something that anyone could read and relate to. I recently used a Doriani illustration in a sermon and received several comments on how insightful and relatable it was to their own lives. I would definitely recommend this volume!
He is both accessible and interactive. He knew we could all pick up one of the classic exegetes and commentators, and instead gave us something that anyone could read and relate to. I recently used a Doriani illustration in a sermon and received several comments on how insightful and relatable it was to their own lives. I would definitely recommend this volume!
June 18, 2019
This is a great book for anyone who has wanted to delve into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The author breaks the Sermon into smaller sections and includes historical/cultural details as well as scriptures to discuss Jesus' teaching.
September 7, 2020
Clear and applicable - classic Doriani
December 17, 2021
Good reflection on living as a disciple of Christ. Not as expositional as I hoped.
November 25, 2025
A helpful book for preachers to read alongside a more traditional exegetical commentary.
March 25, 2008
John Frame says that "Doriani brings both academic and pastoral concerns and skills to the volume." I'd say the scales are tipped to the side of the latter.
The character of a disciple is what Doriani focuses on. He points out that Jesus is mainly/primarily speaking to disciples of his. This insight should color the way we read Jesus in Matthew 5-7. Dorinai also stresses the character-forming nature of Jesus' commands and requirements for us. He points out that this developed character has consequences (so does underdeveloped character).
Dorinai does focus on the requirements, and makes sure to point out and illustrate how often we fall short. How we can never measure up. And, what Jesus fully requires of us. But, so you aren't left feeling deflated, Dorinai makes sure to stress how Jesus not only demands righteousness from us, he was righteousness for us. Jesus did for us what we could not do. Thus, the gospel of our Lord is included in every chapter.
Dorinai also focuses on the heart; stressing our motives for obeying Jesus' commands. He also tries to make Jesus words relevant for us. Placing them in their historical context. This allows some of Jesus' points, which seem odd to us in the 21st century, to have the force they need to apply to our lives and make sense to our conceptual scheme.
I think this book meets its stated purpose. It does provide solid biblical instruction, in an attractive way, through the words of a pastor, to help you as you seek to develop the character Christ wants to see in his disciples. This book is a good initial introduction to Sermon on the Mount studies.
The character of a disciple is what Doriani focuses on. He points out that Jesus is mainly/primarily speaking to disciples of his. This insight should color the way we read Jesus in Matthew 5-7. Dorinai also stresses the character-forming nature of Jesus' commands and requirements for us. He points out that this developed character has consequences (so does underdeveloped character).
Dorinai does focus on the requirements, and makes sure to point out and illustrate how often we fall short. How we can never measure up. And, what Jesus fully requires of us. But, so you aren't left feeling deflated, Dorinai makes sure to stress how Jesus not only demands righteousness from us, he was righteousness for us. Jesus did for us what we could not do. Thus, the gospel of our Lord is included in every chapter.
Dorinai also focuses on the heart; stressing our motives for obeying Jesus' commands. He also tries to make Jesus words relevant for us. Placing them in their historical context. This allows some of Jesus' points, which seem odd to us in the 21st century, to have the force they need to apply to our lives and make sense to our conceptual scheme.
I think this book meets its stated purpose. It does provide solid biblical instruction, in an attractive way, through the words of a pastor, to help you as you seek to develop the character Christ wants to see in his disciples. This book is a good initial introduction to Sermon on the Mount studies.
April 20, 2009
This book was alright, but it only seemed to scratch the surface of every topic addressed. The words of Christ in His sermon are so great, but this book only left me wanting to understand and know more. So basically, it didn't really teach me anything about the Sermon on the Mount, but just made me more aware of it's contents. I would say this book is like a long introduction into what the Christ's Sermon is really about.
June 26, 2009
I've got to be honest, with Stott, Lloyd-Jones, Ferguson, and Carson at my fingertips I didn't expect Doriani to add much, but he really does. He's an excellent writer who brings a freshness to the text and has a great framework for engaging Christ's words. I have minor quibbles with some of his textual divisions, but overall it's excellent stuff. His diagram on the Beatitudes is outstanding.... very enlightening.
September 25, 2012
Love the Sermon on the Mount and I learned a lot about the meaning and background of the text. Easy to read and understand - a plus in study helps. Got this at Half Price; well worth it. Great book to read a bit of in the morning before heading off to work!
January 12, 2013
While easy to read and understand this will give you new insight to the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Well worth the time to read and will give you many thing to think about and reflect on.
September 17, 2009
This is a very solid, passage-by-passage, book on the Sermon on the Mount. It’s written pastorally, it almost feels like a collection of sermons put into book format.
August 27, 2013
Exceptional ...
April 8, 2014
Barely scratches the surface of the Sermon on the Mount. Good for light devotional reading.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews