(Say the Jesus Creed morning and evening during Lent.)
We now come to the end of Tom Wright's book, Surprised by Hope
Tom sketches the significance of resurrection and mission in each of the Gospels and Paul (he doesn't do Peter!).
The last chp addresses Easter and creation redeemed and mission and spirituality. There are many interesting and suggestive thoughts here, including thoughts about time and space. There are also thoughts about new birth and baptism, eucharist, prayer, Scripture, holiness, and love.
What are your thoughts about this book?
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With fear and trembling, the following is the opening paragraph of my post on Chapter 14, the latest in my own review series on the book:
"With all due respect to Scot McKnight, and with utter appreciation to his dedicated and insightful review series on the book over at Jesus Creed, I find myself forced to vigorously disagree with the premise of his introduction to his last post on the series, where he chooses to summarize these last chapters of the book with the barest of details 'because we have already come to terms with the central ideas.' Well, yes and no. Wright has, up till now, brought us to terms with the central foundational ideas, but it is in these last few chapters, I believe, where the whole purpose for those ideas is found. Without taking seriously the natural consequences of the solidified vision of the historical Christian faith, and the hope generated by it, wouldn't this all be an exercise in futility? If we are at least intrigued by the picture Wright has painted so far, wouldn't we naturally want to see where this is all going? Specifically, having seen how and why we must all individually seek to implement Jesus' achievement and resurrection and thereby anticipate the renewal of all things, are we not at least curious to see Wright's vision of what that will look like for the church as one body? Like I said, I humbly disagree with Scot in answering 'yes' to these questions. So here's a detailed account of Chapter 14, the first of a 2-chapter conclusion to this remarkable work, where Wright discusses what he believes to be the entire NT's unified voice on the subject."
...for anyone who might agree.
Grace and Peace,
Raffi Shahinian
Parables of a Prodigal World
I loved what I saw of it at the bookstore the other day, and I need to get my copy. A tight budget at our place, or I'd have that and a good number more of other books.
It is good, because he gives us a flavor or tone of Scripture and really of substance, that we're not used to in our faith thinking and speaking. But we need to get used to that.
I do want to keep reading Scripture over and over with such writing, because I'm not interested in following Tom Wright or anyone else. But I find he is helpful in helping us see in it, what we often miss. But we have to keep going back to Scripture itself.
And knowing of him (I did shake his hand once!) I know he'd have a good, ready answer to any question- straightforward, honest, and not evasive. But for him to give the answer he would want to give would involve quite alot of unpacking, and that's why I need to take the time to read through all of his big volumes.
Just to say a big Thank you to Scot for giving the book such splendid highlighting and to all who have contributed to a remarkable discussion so soon after its publication. I don't normally (make that EVER) contribute to blogsites, and sadly won't be able to enter into any further correspondence just now -- the day job is simply too demanding -- but I think it would be discourteous of me not to acknowledge with deep gratitude all the things that have been said.
As I said to someone the other day at the Pastors' Conference, I find myself often in the position Karl Barth described a propos his Romans commentary: trying to find the way for myself, suddenly a lot of other people seem to be wanting to know as well. He used the image of when, as a boy, he was climbing up the dark staircase in the church tower in the dark and, thinking he'd found a hand-rail, leant his weight on it only to discover it was the bell-rope.
As for Peter... well, sorry. The book wasn't intended to be exhaustive. I didn't actually expect the book to be nearly that long. But I did discuss the relevant passages in RSG, of course.
Warm greetings to one and all and renewed gratitude to Scot (whom I just missed at the pastors' conference, sadly)
Tom Wright
For lack of anything more poignant to say...How cool was that?! In my next life, I wanna be Scot McKnight (just kidding, Mr. Wright). I'm not quite sure what I would do if Wright were to post a comment on my series on the book; probably just never post anything ever again, like an enamored schoolgirl who got to shake her favorite rock star's hand and vows never to wash it again.
Green with envy,
Raffi Shahinian
Parables of a Prodigal World
A very fitting conclusion to your review series. I found your reviews very thoughtful, and am eager to read the book for myself in the coming weeks.
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