The third chapter is on the context of first-century Judaism, and the necessity of understanding Paul in his context. As is so often the case, I enthusiastically endorse Wright’s points, and am mystified by his applications. I particularly appreciated his contrast of historic Lutheranism, with due apologies to my Lutheran friends, and historic Calvinism. I …
Remember that Paul Hops from Foot to Foot
Chapter two is a helpful and revealing chapter called rules of engagement. Much of what Wright says here is prudent and wise, and it is clear that he and Piper are not really disagreeing at those points, but rather just leaning against one another — trying to guard against abuse in the opposite direction. A …
Festooned With Ribbons
Wright begins chapter one by telling a parable against his interlocuters, acknowledging that to do so might be dicey. “Now I can well imagine that, as with the Pharisees listening to Jesus’ Parable of the Wicked Tenants, there may be some readers who will at once be angry, realizing that I have told this story …
The Hinge Upon Which All Turns
In this book, N.T. Wright hopes to accomplish an “outflanking” maneuver (p. vii) in order to make much of the ongoing controversy over Paul irrelevant. And that is a great idea, if he can pull it off. Outflanking, when it works, can result in a decisive settlement. Outflanking, when it does not work, can be …
First, Glance Over the Blurbs
Let the review begin! And let it begin with the easy stuff. I begin by looking over the blurbs, and those represented here include well-respected theologians — a respect well-deserved, I might add — but then there are some blurbs from some folks right off the emergent fruit farm. I conclude from all this that …
Taking the High Road, That’s Me
I just picked up the new book on justification by N.T. Wright, his response to John Piper’s book. A friend recommended that I review it now, before reading it, in order to remain fully objective. As tempting as that suggestion sounds, I will aim for higher, nobler book review, with actual citations and page numbers.
Am I Missing Something?
Thus far I have seen that Bishop Tutu has called for Mugabe’s ouster in Zimbabwe, as President Sarkozy of France has also done. Well done for both those gents. I would call for it too if anybody cared. But I have not yet seen that Bishop N.T. Wright has taken this necessary step, although I …
Pikestaff Texts
The global Anglican communion is blowing apart, as we speak. N.T. Wright is unhappy about it, as he ought to be, but unfortunately he analyzes the situation wrongly, almost from top to bottom. I wrote about this some years ago, as one who appreciates much of Wright’s scholarship. But I noted then that his anti-gnostic …
Clam Chowder and the Future of Africa
I am in Austin for the ACCS conference, and while on the plane coming here, I spent some time listening to N.T. Wright on Jesus and the victory of God. His treatment of the parable of the sower was profound, and seeing the prodigal son as Israel in exile is clearly the foundational way to …
The Great Cretan Gaffe
A few weeks ago, N.T. Wright responded to a few of his critics on the debt relief issue here. A more detailed interaction needs to wait for another time, but I want to put a few thoughts up now. As Wright himself put it, “I don’t have time for a full answer, but I hope …