The Transforming Initiatives of the Sermon on the Mount
Traditionally, the Sermon on the Mount was interpreted as twofold antitheses, which resulted in understanding the Sermon on the Mount as “hard teachings.” Stassen interpreted the Sermon on the Mount as “threefold transforming initatives,” saying that “the emphasis in interpretation is to be placed not on an alleged idealistic prohibition but on the realistic way of deliverance through the transforming initiatives.”1
Example of dyadic structures:
Traditional Righteousness: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery” (Matthew. 5:27 NIV).
Jesus’ Teaching: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Matthew. 5:28-30 NIV).
The result of this structure makes it seem like Jesus prohibits even a passing thought that someone is attractive.
Example of Stassen’s three-fold transforming initiatives:
Traditional Righteousness: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’” (Matthew. 5:27 NIV).
Vicious Cycle: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew. 5:28 NIV).
Transforming Initiative: “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell” (Matthew. 5:29-30 NIV).
The resulting emphasis is on taking actions to avoid the vicious cycle. In this case, it means stopping an intentional behavior pattern that leads to the vicious cycle of sexual sin. Stassen says this moves the emphasis from attitude to action.
