Daniel Berrigan, Jesuit priest, poet, prophet, died 5 yrs ago, 4/30 2016. He was one of those great saints who come along to show a new way of being a follower of Jesus—in his case, as a link in the chain of blessed Peacemakers who acted as if the Sermon on the Mt. were true.

Question about 'theology grammar' -- I raise this not to discuss grammar, really, but because the point might interest you. I'm thinking that you could say "as if the Sermon on the Mount is true." My understanding is that "were" is required only if the condition posited 1/2

2/2 is "contrary to fact." (That's the phrase I recall from English class.) Since the fact suggested is not, we believe, contrary to fact, an ordinary verb (mode?) may be used. Just thinking out loud.