A Focus
on the Writings of N.T. Wright
Perhaps
the most prolific and original theologically orthodox writer on "all things New
Testament" is N.T. Wright, who currently serves as
the Bishop of Durham in the Anglican Church.
Wright has also
taught
New Testament Studies at Cambridge, McGill and Oxford Universities.
I
just finished his work, The Last Word (see below) and while not agreeing
with everything he says, I appreciate both his attitude and keen insights.
Regardless of whether you will agree with all of his views, I believe you will
find Wright to be stimulating and challenging. Here are his three most
recent books:
The
Last Word : Beyond the Bible Wars to a New Understanding of the Authority of
Scripture (Hardcover)
I just finished this book (end of
April 2006). Although at times repetitious, this slim volume contains much
that deserves reflection. Wright attempts to re-state an orthodox view of
the authority of Scripture in light of fundamentalist, liberal and post-modern
struggles in language that is comprehensible to both lay and clergy readers.
I love this quote from the preface: "Taken as a whole, the church clearly can't
live without the Bible, but it doesn't seem to have much idea of how to live
with it."
Simply Christian : Why Christianity Makes Sense (Hardcover)
From the Back
Cover: Why is justice fair? Why are so many
people pursuing spirituality? Why do we crave relationship? And why is beauty so
beautiful? N. T. Wright argues that each of
these questions takes us into the mystery of who God is and what he wants from
us. For two thousand years Christianity has claimed to answer these mysteries,
and this renowned biblical scholar and Anglican bishop shows that it still does
today. Like C. S. Lewis did in his classic Mere Christianity, Wright makes the
case for Christian faith from the ground up, assuming that the reader is
starting from ground zero with no predisposition to and perhaps even some
negativity toward religion in general and Christianity in particular.
Here are
two commentaries on the Scriptures that I thought you might like to consider:
Mark (The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture) (Hardcover)
I have been using this commentary as
the basis of my personal devotions for the past two months. The ACCS
series, edited by Thomas Oden and Christopher Hall, seeks to present the
perspective of the Church Fathers on Biblical texts. This volume succeeds
in part, I would say. Many of the quotes are rather pedestrian, but every
once in a while a gem appears. For example, I really appreciated the
perspective of Caesarius of Arles ( a bishop who lived from 470-543) on Mark
8:31-38. He says, "Therefore, if you wish to follow Christ, do not delay
in carrying his cross; tolerate sinners, but do not yield to them. Do not
let the false happiness of the wicked corrupt you. You do well to despise
all things for the sake of Christ, in order that you may be fit for his
companionship." I intend to create a page dedicated to this series in the
near future.
The
Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible (Hardcover)
The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible
is edited by Richard Foster and Dallas Willard, among others. I
appreciated Ronald Kellemen's review on Amazon.com: "The
Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible is unlike the two other main types of edited
Bibles: the study Bible and the devotional Bible. Study Bibles seek to present
background information and scholarly commentary to allow modern readers to
interpret ancient Scripture. Devotional Bibles purpose to help readers to
experience and apply the Bible personally. The Renovare Spiritual Formation
Bible desires to bring together the best of both of these worlds by helping
readers relate truth to life. More than that, it intends to enable readers to
understand and practice the biblical and historical spiritual disciplines that
God has used to form Christ in His people."
Also, remember to check out the dozens of books
listed in the sections (above left). For your convenience (since many of these
books may not be readily available in your local bookstore), I have directly linked each book to its page at
Amazon.com; just click its title and you can order in no time! Spiritual Journey
Press is an associate of
Amazon.com.
You can visit Amazon.com's Christian Bookstore
through Spiritual Journey Press!
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