Beat Is Beatitude by Andrew William Smith

Beat Is Beatitude by Andrew William SmithBeat Is Beatitude by Andrew William Smith is a book containing poems, prayers, and sermons. He comes with a Presbyterian emergent theological mindset. That theological orientation strongly influences his work. He starts off by reminding himself that not everyone in the South has the same progressive Christian mindset. Aside from this, the book has a set of poems and prayers which were interesting to read. I personally did not agree with everything in the book. However, I enjoyed some chapters. The poems and sermons which interested me were:

Jesus – After Allen Ginsberg

Jesus never got tenure

Jesus Didn’t Need a Megaphone

Jesus Didn’t Vote Today

Pharisee Me

Grace versus Karma

Smith is a gifted writer and poet and this comes through in his reflections. The words he writes will definitely make you think about your faith. It will stretch your beliefs, and help you see that there is more to your faith than what you have been taught. Aside from the progressive theology, I didn’t read anything in this book which would be heretical. His point is to challenge the church. At the same time, I found his poem “Grace versus Karma” very Gospel-oriented.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is challenges the teachings of the Pharisees and Saduccees of that day. Jesus speaks in a way that amazed the crowd because of His authority and because what He said made one think about faith beyond the political and theological boxes of the religious leaders. Smith attempts the same with this book. There are times when it seems like he has written a collection of ramblings. However, when Smith writes to challenge the present-day thinking of the church, it will make some people think. If that was his purpose, then Smith has succeeded. I would recommend this book for people who want to be challenged in their theological thoughts just enough to make one think.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.