Book Review: The Ninefold Path of Jesus, by Mark Scandrette

 I recently read The Ninefold Path of Jesus: Hidden Wisdom of the Beatitudes by Mark Scandrette. 

It is a book of spiritual disciplines based on the beatitudes. Scandrette believes the beatitudes, lived out honestly and humbly, are a set of practices that bring us much closer to the life Jesus desires for all who desire true faith. Scandrette gives a chapter to each beatitude, both simplifying it in order to make it easy to remember, and broadening it to show how applicable it is throughout all parts of our lives.

I find it appealing to have a memorable step by step plan for bringing my life in line with my highest values. Scandrette does not make it an easy discipline to check off and then feel smug and self-righteous. It is a hard work discipline. 

An example is in the chapter on "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy". Scandrette does not only address the times when we have been harmed and offer mercy. He also addresses coming clean about when we need mercy, need to admit we have caused harm, and take steps to make things right. He offers examples from his own life. 

He suggests that the best way to study this book is with a group of people who commit to meeting weekly and following the disciplines for nine weeks, one week for each of the beatitudes. He teaches postures that go with the nine beatitudes that make it easier to pray them and to check in with yourself and God about each one.

I don't want to suggest that this is the only or best way to grow in faith and discipline. There are likely flaws with any formula, especially if you rely too much on the formula and too little on humbly recognizing that God is bigger and better than we can comprehend. But if you are looking for a new faith practice, this looks like a good one.