Rescuing Jesus from American Christianity: In his own words
In this survey of the Sermon on the Mount the author contrasts the Old Testament nationalistic kingdom of Israel, with the New Covenant kingdom of Jesus. It is proposed that when people believe in the kingdom of God as Jesus taught, then they will be less enticed by imitation kingdoms, and that the kingdom of Jesus which is one of love, is incompatible with political empires of conquest.
“Both conservatives and liberals attempt to claim Jesus as their own, but Jesus will not be owned by either, so in the cultural wars for dominion the best side to choose could be neither.” Pg 42
In May 2024 I published, The Wisdom of Jesus: a Close Look at the Sermon on the Mount. Today a review by Jennifer Daniels Neal was published in The Heart of Flesh Literary Journal. My work was over twenty years of study, writing and rewriting, and this fine review captures the essence of what I hoped to accomplish.
Rear cover text: “The Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus, is one of the most influential passages in the history of religious literature. However, it has been used as a source of fanaticism as well as a source of deep beautiful spirituality.
The author gives us a literary analysis of the sermon, tracing its roots back into the earliest parts of the Bible, while also including a careful study of literary patterns within the text. The result is a deep appreciation for the wise words of Jesus, which leads us into healthy spiritual lives.”
Rear cover text: “Inside of this book you will find interviews with homeless people selected randomly from the streets of Chattanooga Tennessee. This project is dedicated to providing a space for the unsheltered to tell their own stories in their own words, so that the housed may hear, understand, and grow in compassion for the people we view daily on our streets from a distance. Their stories may in some cases confirm our preconceptions, but more often, these stories will disturb our presumptions.”
10% of sales price is donated to The Chatt Foundation
Richard Winham of radio WUTC.org, hosts a podcast on writing called Open Book. We talked about my books, The Wisdom of Jesus, and my eclectic memoir, And Then. It is the last 15 minutes, starting at minute 41. We talk about the literary approach to reading the bible, and the significance of the Sermon on the Mount, on a personal level and social level.
Book launch: The Wisdom of Jesus: A Close Look at the Sermon on the Mount,
by Mark J Anderson
The Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus, is one of the most influential passages in the history of religious literature. However, it has been used as a source of fanaticism as well as a source of deeply beautiful spirituality. The author takes us on a literary analysis of the sermon, tracing its roots back into the earliest parts of the Bible, and a careful analysis of literary patterns within the text. The result is a deep appreciation for the wise words of Jesus, which lead us into healthy spiritual lives.
I began playing harmonica almost 30 years ago, but it was here in Chattanooga that I began to take it seriously and up my game. As a singer-songwriter I played in a nice basic way and I could play cross over blues too. But we have a Monday night blues jam with some of the best musicians in the city, and playing with them forced me into a new groove.
For my own poetry I began playing harmonica solo sections as introductions and in between stanzas so other poets heard that. Then I was invited to accompany poets in their performances. Twice I was asked to cover Nina Simone songs (she loves B minor) and it was so challenging in all the best ways.
My performance of Valentines Day Sucks, at Love Groove 2022, an annual event of Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry HERE
The Divine Poetess asked me to do something inspired by Nina Simone’s version of Strange Fruit to accompany her poem Segregation. She performed three pieces in June 2023 at the Hunter Museum of American Art, for their program, Vision and Verse. They are HERE
I first saw the Jess Goggans band a couple of years ago at Clyde’s aka HiFi-Clyde’s one of Chattanooga’s funnest party spots, and immediately became a follower. I never dreamed that a couple years later, after jaming with Jess a couple times, that I would be invited to join for a couple of songs. Also sat in with them at the Cherry Street Tavern! See photos below
The amazing thing for me, is that in this late season of life, I am blessed with things I only dreamed of. Thank you Lord!
As the new president of the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild, Mark Anderson appeared on Chattanooga local interest program, The Daily Refresh, a feature of Channel 9. The skillful interviewer kept things going smoothly, saving me from the embarrassment of repeating myself and wandering off on side tangents. She was Great. Watch for yourself HERE
Learn more about the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild HERE
I moved to Chattanooga in May 2016 and immediately joined this community of writers. I joined the board of directors a year later in September 2017 and managed special events for two years then served as president for a year. I returned to the board this fall, 2023, and recently became president again. This organization has been so valuable to me for multiple reasons: I love creative people, I love rubbing shoulders with other writers, especially when they are better than me, and I have made friends here that will probably be with me for a very long time!
Vision and Verse is a program at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga TN which invites select poets to write as inspired by visual art in the gallery. June 15, 2023 the poet is Divine Poet sharing three pieces with dance by Jenn McCormick, musicians Dexter Bell, Kofi Mawuko, and Mark Anderson.
Mark will be performing in the background on harmonica the song, “Strange Fruit” as inspired by Nina Simone’s version. The original Strange Fruit by Abel Meeropol, 1937 was made famous by Billie Holiday.
Listen to our radio interview on Scenic Roots HERE
I am so honored to be part of this project! Raise You Voice; an educational series on WTCI tv and educational YouTube series. This project matches children’s book authors with poets, with an interview discussing the book and poetry.
In this episode we discuss my book “Shu Shu’s Bright New Day” with poet Carlos Davis and host Marsha Mills. We are all members of Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry, of which Marsha is President.
So many wonderful opps have come my way in Chattanooga that I never would have had back in Utah, that I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you WTCI, Rhyme N Chatt poetry.
Watch the 14 minute video HERE or watch for it on WTCI TV (a Tennessee station)
I am sooo honored to be part of this event. In the Vision and Verse series the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga invites poets to be inspired by works in a specific exhibit, then present them. This series is centered on the art of Beuford Delaney and his friendship with James Baldwin. The 3 poets will be the Poetic Diva aka Marsha Mills. Poetess Phenominal C aka Carla P Elliott, and Me aka Tomodachi. Thursday 3/23, 6 to 7 PM, free
M J Anderson Creative Arts 