Lent for Everyone by N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright provides a decent devotional for the time around Easter.


Each day has a segment of Scripture to read along with some insight by Wright. I always get so much from this guy. The forty days of Lent is given Gospel and Psalm treatment.

If you don't typically follow the Lent calendar, consider picking this book up and learning just a bit more.

I was happy that he used Psalms to add flavor to the devotional instead of simply using everything from the Gospels.

There isn't much more to say about this book. It's great as is everything N.T. Wright authors. Pick it up and enjoy Lent.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Westminster John Knox Press.

How God Became King by N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright wrote about something that, I must admit, I didn't see as deficient in Western churches.

In How God Became King, Mr. Wright unveils what the four gospels collectively say: in and through Jesus, God became King of the world. 

His argument is that many people have forgotten this story and decided to rely on the church creeds of antiquity. As I said, I have never ran into this problem. For the churches that I've been part of, it's always been about Jesus and the Kingdom of God that he inaugurated.

Having said that, this is still Wright directly on target. His books never fail to connect with me.

Like his previous book, Simply Jesus, this one reads like a slimmed-down version of his longer books from the past. (see Christian Origins and the History of God books) He actually says the same thing he's been saying for the past few books.

You'll read four parts in how we need to readjust the volume of the four points found within the story of the gospels: The Climactic Story of Israel, The Story of Jesus as the Story of Israel's God, The Launching of God's Renewed People and the Clash of the Kingdoms.

Wright explains that the church has lowered some levels and raised other levels to the point where we don't recognize the themes. He claims we're simply a group of Christians who read the Bible as God providing a way for us to escape this wicked world.

But the Gospels are much much more.

Classic Wright with his typical lines, "There isn't enough space to write about that here" and "see this other book that I've read to continue with the idea".

One can never go wrong with Wright.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by HarperOne Publishing.

Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright

This book connected with me on all cylinders.

Surprised by Hope is Wright's attempt to explain the biblical teaching on the resurrection of the dead, what happens when we die, heaven and how the church should act in light of these teachings.

Then he throws in the typical Wrightian thoughts on the Kingdom of God and global debt forgiveness for good measure.

It may have been the season in which I was reading this book but I could not put this down. It seemed as if every chapter had moments where I wanted to scream out, "Hallelujah".

As with other works by Wright, he builds each chapter upon what was discovered from the previous one. He breaks this book into three parts: Setting the Scene in which he explains the different views of life after death and how there is so much confusion out there. He walks us through the early church thought of Easter and the ramifications.

Part two is God's Future Plan. This was the biggest emotional, spiritual, intellectual boost and encouragement for me. This is where Wright explains about the Kingdom of God and how Jesus understood it, moving on to what the second coming is all about and how Jesus acts as judge. Lastly he discusses what the redemption of our bodies will be and how Scripture refers to a physical bodily resurrection and not some sort of spirit resting in paradise.

Wright's thoughts on Purgatory, Paradise and Hell are refreshing even as this book was written before Rob Bell's Love Wins. Even if this isn't the book for an exhaustive study, it may have set more people at ease.

The final part deals with what we can do, as the church, now that there is a fuller understanding of what the Kingdom of God is all about and what it should look like as we live the rest of our lives.

Simply a terrific book. I can't wait for the next Wright book.

Simply Jesus by N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright has begun a new series that is much easier to read. He's known for his deeply theological books and also his New Testament commentary "for everyone". Simply Jesus is written somewhere between these two styles.

It is very assessable for anyone to pick it up and enjoy.

He calls this "a new vision of who Jesus was, what he did and why he matters" but it's really based on the writings of Jesus in his previous books.

Divided into three parts. In part one, Wright uses the imagery of The Perfect Storm with its three storms coming to a head to explain the culture in which Jesus confronted the Romans, the Jewish religious leadership and God's plan.

In part two, Wright explains what Jesus believed to be the Kingdom of God and how that was brought about by his actions, words and death on the cross.

Part three serves to talk about how Jesus can be Lord while it seems that evil continues to run rampant. This last section felt like Wright returned to his thick/deep writing and I was initially confused before catching on to his rhythm.

This book is terrific as the first of a new series on Jesus in the First Century and how the Jewish community viewed heaven, God and His kingdom. However I think I've read most of these ideas before...from Wright's earlier work. But I'd rather read Wright repeating himself before picking up most other books on Jesus.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by HarperOne Publishing

Revelation for Everyone by N.T. Wright

The big question people will ask before even opening this book is where does Wright stands on Tim LaHaye's Left Behind theology. I can gladly say that the scholarly Wright disagrees with practically everything found in the Left Behind books.


Wright is known for his thick books that delve quite deep into theological issues. Like previous "for Everyone" editions, this volume is quick and easy. You'll read portions of the book of Revelation and then Wright will provide a clever story to open the commentary. Nothing inside will confuse you. In fact, it is fairly light on theological issues.

Wright falls on the side of scholars who view much of the content of Revelation to be symbolic and written for the people of its time. (Not so much for the American Christian of the 21st Century)

Because it's such a short book, I figure this would be a great personal study guide for the preacher as well as the inquisitive. Just because it's about Revelation doesn't mean it's beyond our understanding. N.T. Wright makes sure everyone can follow along.


This book was provided for review, at no cost by Westminster John Knox Press.

Scripture and the Authority of God by N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright has expanded and revised a previous book on the authority of Scripture and sent it out to be part of his latest series. Scripture and the Authority of God is Wright's argument for why Christians read the Bible.

Wright offers fresh, and helpful statements on the "battles for the Bible" as well as how the Bible has been treated throughout history.

Inside you'll find 8 chapters and 2 new case studies:

By Whose Authority discusses what authority means and how to apply it to Scripture.
Israel and God's Kingdom-People sets the stage for how Scripture was brought about in the Old Testament.
Scripture and Jesus is about exactly what it sounds like.

Then he delves into the historical aspects:

The "Word of God" in the Apostolic Church
The First Sixteen Centuries
The Challenge of the Enlightenment

Finally Wright tackles the Misreadings of Scripture and How to Get Back on Track.

He finishes the book with 2 case studies; one on The Sabbath and what Scripture says about how/if we should keep it and one on Monogamy and if it was truly the way God intended.

As with every N.T. Wright book, you will need to give this work your undivided attention. If you have anything going on in the background, you will lose focus and miss the depth of this scholar's teachings.

Even though this is a re-release of a previous title, I enjoy reading whatever Wright authors.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by HarperOne Publishing.

Small Faith Great God by N.T. Wright

This is the second edition of N.T. Wright's early work. Small Faith Great God reads like a collection of sermons which, coincidentally isn't far from the truth.

Wright uses this book to explain that Christians do not need a greater faith or "more faith" but what they need to understand is that they have a faith in a great God.

He uses the illustration of a window that is used to see out and in which light beams into the darkness. This is what faith is. We shouldn't get caught up with how little our faith seems. Do we believe in the God of the Bible? That should be our focus.

This book is divided into 3 parts:

Faith in a Great God
Faith to Live and Love
Faith to Walk in the Dark

Each section builds on each other, which has become a staple of Wright's work.

In section 1, we hear about the kind of God in whom we have this faith. In section 2, we are encouraged in how to live out that faith. And in section 3 builds a stronger case for "what now?"

As this was the work of Wright earlier in his writings, I found these chapters to be easier to read and comprehend that his later books. If feels like I was reading his sermon outlines.

In the preface, he explains how some of his thinking has changed over the years and he points out a couple places in this book that this has happened.

Overall, I found this to be a refreshing look at our faith and the God in which it belongs.

If you are a fan of N.T. Wright, you will want to add this book to your shelf.


This book was provided for review, at no cost, by InterVarsity Press

After You Believe by N.T. Wright

N.T.Wright's work usually takes me a few months to chew through. After You Believe took me much longer.

His writing style is chock-full of meaty ideas that you can't calmly skim through a book by Wright. And being a British Bishop adds to the layers of complications.

After You Believe is the 3rd book of a trilogy. First there was Simply Christian which dealt with why Christianity made sense, second came Surprised by Hope which touched on heaven, and the resurrection.

After You Believe answers the question: once you become a Christian, what do you do? This is Wright's version of human Virtue.

With 8 chapters, N.T. Wright uses his typical style of building each chapter on top of the previous chapter's idea.

1. What Am I Here For?
2. The Transformation of Character
3. Priests and Rulers
4. The Kingdom Coming and the People Prepared
5. Transformed by the Renewal of the Mind
6. Three Virtues, Nine Varieties of Fruit, and One Body
7. Virtue in Action: The Royal Priesthood
8. The Virtuous Circle

Wright is never without extensive biblical examples and exegesis. You will put this book down feeling as if you've sat through a summer's worth of sermons. For those of us who enjoy fleshing out our theology, this book is worth the read.




This book was provided for review by HarperOne Publishing

The Challenge of Easter by N.T. Wright

This is a small gift book just in time for Easter. There isn't anything new from the author; the publisher has just tossed in a few bits from his earlier book, The Challenge of Jesus.

However, seeing as this is N.T. Wright, the words are still worth the 20 minutes it will take you to read one chapter of The Challenge of Easter.

This is not for fans of the Left Behind series (ie popcorn easy reading). N.T. Wright uses his vast experience and puts them to words. You would be wise to spend at least one day in consuming this book. Even 64 pages are mind-stretching when you're reading Wright's work.

Evil and the Justice of God by N.T. Wright

Excellent author N.T. Wright tackles the issue of evil - bad stuff in Evil and the Justice of God.

He breaks the book down into sections for each chapter. And each chapter builds upon each other until you reach the climax at the end.

Chapter 1 - Evil is Still a Four-Letter Word
Chapter 2 - What Can God do About Evil?
Chapter 3 - Evil and the Crucified God
Chapter 4 - Imagine There's No Evil
Chapter 5 - Deliver Us From Evil

That last chapter in particular is worth the book. Like most of his books, Wright can frustrate you with slowness or "dullsville" of his writing but it all pans out by the time you reach chapter 5. His thoughts on forgiveness and how that works out in our lives and via God are like huge chunks of beef! (think biblical milk and meat and you're with me)

Basically, the church needs to live in a manner that reflects the plan of God. It's all worth it and we need to do a better job at it.

Great read from N.T. Wright

Justification: God's Plan and Paul's Vision by N.T. Wright

I came into this discussion a little late in the game. You see, author N.T. Write wrote a book called, Surprised by Hope in which he shared some teachings on justification.

Another author, John Piper, wasn't in agreement with some of the ideas found in Surprised by Hope so he wrote a response titled, The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. Wright in which he attempted to refute these ideas.

N.T. Wright, then, responded to Piper's book with Justification: God's Plan Paul's Vision.

And unfortunately, I entered this debate with N.T. Wright's response. So I was missing what the argument was in the first place.

In this book, Wright explains how Paul understood and taught this idea of being justified by God. It's all part of a plan.

For N.T. Wright, he calls it, "God's-plan-through-Israel-for-the-world". Israel let God down. They didn't hold up their end of the deal so God needed to solve the problem. Enter: Jesus.

This is a scholarly book. I would consider reading it in college or some other higher level of education. It took me a while to get attached to the style of writing (Wright is British) and how his thought process works.

In the end, Justification is a book that will be a benefit for anyone searching for what Paul was telling his audience in the letter to the Romans...

The Meaning of Jesus by Marcus Borg & N.T. Wright

Two scholars discuss their views of Jesus in his historical context.

Marcus Borg states that much of the New Testament, if not all, should be understood as metaphor. He claims that we should not take the written accounts of Jesus' life and ministry as true historical fact. We should look for the meaning behind the stories. He understands The Bible not as a divine work of God but written by a group of people, Israel for the Old Testament and the early Christian community for the New Testament, about how they see God. He calls it a lens in which we can get a glimpse of how we understand God.

N.T. Wright takes the opposite view and states that the gospels express the reality of Jesus' life and how we can learn from those true stories.

Borg has the ability to write about difficult subjects in a way that a non-theologian/scholar will understand in one reading. N.T. Wright writes in a way where it seems as if you're sitting in on one of his lectures - basically he's more difficult to understand.

What is very nice about this book is that these two men are friends. They do not belittle one another when they disagree. The purpose of this book is to present two different opinions on the life of Jesus and how we should read and understand the gospel accounts and to make up on our minds.

I think there are other books out there that may be easier to grasp as you read, but this book provides two views in one book. Which is very convenient. It may also get you interested in reading some of their other works.

4 out of 5 stars.