NT Wright's "Christian Origins" series

[Amazing Rando]

I just started Wright's New Testament and the People of God, and after reading for about two and a half hours only got through about fifty pages this afternoon, mostly of introductory material and his proposed epistemology of "critical realism." It was pretty dense reading. When I read a good book, I like to read with pen in hand so I can underline and annotate my books a little bit. That's one of the reasons I'm so slow! :blush:

Anyway, I welcome any comments on Wright's books in this thread. What do you appreciate about his work and what do you think he's missed the mark on? He's one of the top dogs in the Society of Biblical Literature and is well-respected, even among the extreme minimalists, liberals, and nonbelievers of the SBL.

[Xavier]

I've also just started NTPG... I'm working through his epistimology... I agree with most of what he say, but of course he doesn't have the space to deal with it at any grand length...

Do you get the impression that this guy is just plain too smart for his own good??? :hehe:

[Amazing Rando]

I've also just started NTPG... I'm working through his epistimology... I agree with most of what he say, but of course he doesn't have the space to deal with it at any grand length...

Do you get the impression that this guy is just plain too smart for his own good??? :hehe:

Yep- and I'm glad he's cut through the myth of objectivity. His "critical realism" epistemology does not deny that objectivity exists, as some would, nor does it naively believe that pure objectivity is possible for us human observers, as the positivists would. Hope to read some more tomorrow. I'm forcing myself to slog my way through this epistemology stuff because I'm sure it will be valuable in unpacking his arguments on history, theology, and literary criticism later.

[dizzle]

I am going through the Resurrection of the Son of God, very good.

[Baxter]

The thing I really gained from reading the first volume of Wright's series was insight into how our worldview is bound up in narratives. It's been very influential in how I've thought about a lot of subjects.

I think you'll find the later volumes easier reading. The first one gives a lot of theoretical background, where the later volumes are concerned with applying it.

[spiritmech]

I just finished NTPG, myself. His is a very current/contemporary epistemology, taking the fruits of postmodernism while still being able to critique non-Christians like Foucault. One can see his critique of the Reformation is connected to his critique of Enlightenment and the grid we place upon the Bible in the age of scientific reason.

I appreciate his focus on literature, which I assume is something common among more liberal interpretations, although I had not been exposed to that sort of thing.

I love his opening, how the NT is the smallest holy book of all the world religions.
SM

[Jaltus]

Reading the Bible as literature is something even conservatives do. What Wright does better than most, however, is defend why it is important to read scripture in such a way. My biggest problem is that he does not spendenough time dealing with how genre effects the way the reader should approach the text.

Wright is definitely a brilliant man, but he tends to overgeneralize on a few things and stress minor points over major ones (wait till you read JVG, which is vol 2). Over all, he has a lot of good things to say.

[BronzeArcher]

I'm only two months late... :lol:

I have JVG, and plan to start it in a few weeks or so. Should I read the series from book one -> onward?

[Xavier]

I'm only two months late... :lol:

I have JVG, and plan to start it in a few weeks or so. Should I read the series from book one -> onward?

I didn't... I read in reverse order. If you read them out of order, just be ready for references to sections you haven't read yet.

I think that you should read NTPG first as it sets up the basis for Wright's interpretation (which accidently makes it the driest book of the bunch). After that, I think it's really up to you.

[BronzeArcher]

Hm, alright. It'll be a few more weeks until I buy anything else..... I'm a little prone to seeing what Wright has to say, then going more detailed and seeing what the basis is. I have seen the advantage of doing things from bottom up in a methodological fashion, but with a large amount of material to cover, it'll definitely be dry... thanks, nevertheless. I'll be sure to note references to stuff I haven't seen. :smile:

[Christian2]

Hello Amazing Rando,

I bought NT Wright's series at the suggestion of a Christian friend. I think Wright's work is wonderful and I would suggest that every Christian should read this series.

However, the books are very long and could be expensive for some people. I found my mind wandering while trying to get through "The New Testament and the People of God." "Jesus and the Victory of God" and "The Resurrection of the Son of God" should be "must reads" for all Christians.

However, I am not at a place where I can critique his works.

As an introduction to the works of Wright I would suggest first time readers to start with his book, "The Challenge of Jesus, Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is." This book makes references to "The New Testament and the People of God" and "Jesus and the Victory of God," as well as his great book, "What Did Saint Paul Really Say."

I would call it a "taster"; something to get them interested in the series.

Also, I would suggest that Christians visit his site:

http://www.ntwrightpage.com/

Here they will find many articles and sermons (audio too)--some of them based on the series.

[A Cup of No]

I'm on Resurrection now. I find his work amazing, and I love listening to his audio. He has a nice voice for public speaking. :smile:

[neosnoia]

It's not a "Christian Origins" book, but I'm interested in reading "Simply Christian" as a very brief introduction to his work and to his interpretation of Scripture and Christianity. (Decided to post this here instead of starting a new thread.)

I've been a nominal Christian my whole life and spent some time as a JW, but nevertheless, I feel somewhat like a newbie. :ahem:

Even though "Simply Christian" is basically a primer for beginners, has anyone read it and what do they think?

[Xavier]

[...] Even though "Simply Christian" is basically a primer for beginners, has anyone read it and what do they think?

Just finished a study on it... Consensus says that if you've never read Wright before or don't have someone who can unpack a couple of the things he says, you probably should try a different book.

If you need a different intro, I would suggest Velvet Elvis.

[neosnoia]

Thanks Xavier. I think I'll order the CD set.

Looking over the reviews, some are calling Rob "Emergent." Would you say that is a fair assesment? Is he similar to McLaren?

[dizzle]

I am on Resurrection right now too.

[neosnoia]

I'm on Resurrection now. I find his work amazing, and I love listening to his audio. He has a nice voice for public speaking. :smile:

I'm listening (and watching) his video presentation for Simply Christian on Washington National Cathedral's (http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/register/wright2006sp.shtml) website right now.

His voice is wonderful!

[Xavier]

Thanks Xavier. I think I'll order the CD set.

Cool... :smile:

Looking over the reviews, some are calling Rob "Emergent." Would you say that is a fair assessment? Is he similar to McLaren?

Yes and yes. However, I think that Emergent is the logical end of the views that Wright and others espouse. The reason I like Velvet Elvis is that it is a different view of Christianity than that of, say, C.S. Lewis. For a reintroduction to Christianity, it's a great place to start.

[neosnoia]

Yes and yes. However, I think that Emergent is the logical end of the views that Wright and others espouse.

Do you mind my asking whether you think that is a good thing, or no?

The reason I like Velvet Elvis is that it is a different view of Christianity than that of, say, C.S. Lewis. For a reintroduction to Christianity, it's a great place to start.

I do own Mere Christianity as well. I haven't read it yet though. Do you like Lewis?

Sorry for all the questions. Should I start a new thread? Will Rando mind? :smile:

[Xavier]

Do you mind my asking whether you think that is a good thing, or no?

I believe it is a good thing, because there's a rediscovery of the full power of the Gospel message and the Emergent movement has grabbed hold of it and starting running.

I don't approve of everything the Emergent movement does, but I think that their hearts are typically in the right place.

I do own Mere Christianity as well. I haven't read it yet though. Do you like Lewis?

Yes, Lewis is a good writer and his argumentation is intriguing.

Sorry for all the questions. Should I start a new thread? Will Rando mind? :smile:

I don't think Rando would mind at all, but since we're off Christian Origins, it might be nice... :smile:

Yours,
Xavier

[historic salve]

I feel so behind. I'm a freshman in college, and I'm just reading The Resurrection of the Son of God because I chose to.

[JB]

I feel so behind. I'm a freshman in college, and I'm just reading The Resurrection of the Son of God because I chose to.

Switch "freshman" out for "sophomore", and that's me. :smile: