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Orbis Books

The Ladder of the Beatitudes

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Drawing on stories from the lives of the saints, scripture, and everyday life, Jim Forest opens up the mysteries of the beatitudes. These ancient blessings, with which Christ began his Sermon on the Mount, are all aspects of communion with God. As Forest shows, they are like rungs on a ladder, each one leading to the next. They appear at the doorway of the New Testament to provide an easily memorized summary of everything that follows, right down to the crucifixion (“Blessed are you who are persecuted”) and the resurrection (“Rejoice and be glad”). Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orbis Books; Illustrated edition (June 26, 1999)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1570752451


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 52


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 0.4 x 7.9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #126,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #153 in Religion Encyclopedias #157 in Ethics in Christian Theology #250 in Christian Saints


#153 in Religion Encyclopedias:


#157 in Ethics in Christian Theology:


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Treasure worthy of exploration...
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... (Mt. 5:3-10) How often we Orthodox sing these eight verses during Divine Liturgy during the first procession, when the Gospel book is carried out of the sanctuary into the nave and then back into the sanctuary to be placed on the altar. And why? They are beautiful verses; and yes, the Church undoubtedly hopes they will sink deeply into our hearts; but again, why these particular verses? Why so frequently? And why during this procession? They are preceded by the familiar words of the thief who was crucified with the Lord, "Remember us, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy kingdom..." We recall that Jesus is not only our destination in the house of the Father, but that He is also our way of getting there. Another liturgical procession will follow shortly, when we, with all our concerns and all of creation symbolized in loaves of bread, will follow the same path to the same altar as the Church shows us what life is like for us, what it is about. There are eight beatitudes--or perhaps only one revealed in eight aspects--telling what it means to live in the kingdom of God and how to do it. Forest presents it as a spiritual ladder that we ascend in order, rung by rung--a series of steps we make, none skipped--in company with the Holy Spirit: in a word, our deification. It is a preparation and a process that we must do. Without God, it would be impossible. In this teaching, Jesus shows us what to expect in the world--a true reality check. And He not only tells us how to deal with it, but how to be blessed--indeed, refashioned--by it. The Lord teaches in an economy of words how to live dynamically with Him so that we do not simply endure passively whatever happens to and around us, but that we join ourselves to His co-suffering love now--here and now--in concert with all the events of our lives, and thus prepare ourselves for God's eternal kingdom. We are on a journey, and, in a sense, we are mystically already there. In an extended look at these eight verses, Forest brings a wide and delightful variety of stories, wisdom from the saints, and scripture to focus on the way our new humanity is fashioned by means of our collaboration (co-laboring) with God in this challenging ascent. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2009 by Sluss
    • A very important book
I have read this book twice and just started it again for Lent; it is wonderful. Powerfully inspiring. Forest devotes a chapter to each beatitude and a chapter to the resulting blessing. His writing is simple and clear and the examples are beautiful. I especially loved the chapter on the "pure of heart" with its beautiful story of the Russian pianist Maria Yudina and her relationship with Stalin... A great book--especially for anyone serious about living the Beatitudes. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2019 by Herman
    • Don't miss it!
Simply one of the best books I've read! Jim Forest had been a worker with Dorothy Day in the Catholic Worker movement and was one of the founders of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship. This book follows the Beatitudes, and discusses each one. He talks about how each can be applied in our daily lives. This book was mentioned in an interview by Bishop Gerasim of the Orthodox Church in America, a friend of this very wise writer. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024 by Friar
    • One of the Top Ten Books I Would Recommend
The definition on poverty of spirit is the best I have ever read. I can see this book correcting a lot of harmful interpretations of scripture and healing people’s hearts. It is also very enjoyable and a real book on theology, instead of a piece of politics masquerading as religion or religious feel good literature. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2020 by Mountain Woman
    • Solid Teaching on the Beatitudes
Jim Forest provides solid teaching on Jesus' opening words of blessing in the Sermon on the Mount. His book is an easy read, full of wonderful, though a little dated, illustrations. The strength of the book is its rich word study and his ability to link the Beatitudes to other Biblical passages. Great for sermon preparation or devotional reading. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2013 by Lisa A. Degrenia
    • This more than satisfied. I especially liked the wide range of quotations ...
This just blew me away. I searched for a long time for something that was more than just pious. This more than satisfied. I especially liked the wide range of quotations particularly the early ones (desert fathers, fathers if the church, etc). Mr. Forest had a wonderful knowledge of life in the time of Jesus and in the derivation of words. The original meaning of the beatitudes becomes clear, which it never was before for me. But it is so much more. He takes it far beyond the literal meaning. I rushed to buy all his other books. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2015 by Kay Hill
    • Worthwhile Purchase
Beautiful and thought provoking. I had to copy some portions into my prayer book to remember when I need it. I highly recommend this book and I am grateful to the author for writing it.
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2014 by Anonymous
    • Must read for Christians
This is a must-read for Christians. The author takes the reader through the Beatitudes, short prayers, and connects them to the icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent. I love how Jim Forest connects the Beatitudes to modern life. The book gives you so much to think about. It is personal, reflective, and interesting. It is a book I will read often for the rest of my life. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2010 by Staci126

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