{"id":284,"date":"2007-12-18T01:01:45","date_gmt":"2007-12-18T01:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2007\/12\/a-review-of-simply-christian-by-nt-wright-section-3.html"},"modified":"2007-12-18T01:01:45","modified_gmt":"2007-12-18T01:01:45","slug":"a-review-of-simply-christian-by-nt-wright-section-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2007\/12\/a-review-of-simply-christian-by-nt-wright-section-3.html","title":{"rendered":"A Review of Simply Christian by N.T. Wright (Section 3)"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the series: Considering N.T. Wright
\n<\/em>Permalink for this post<\/a> \/ Permalink for this series<\/a>
\n\"Wright-Simply-Christian\"<\/a>In my last post in this series<\/a> I gave a short overview of N.T. Wright’s synopsis of the grand Christian story in his book Simply Christian<\/a><\/em>. In order to know God, Wright argues, we need more than theological pronouncements. We need to pay attention to the story of God’s work in the world, the story God has revealed to us in Scripture. It is incumbent upon us to pay attention, not only to certain verses and themes, but also to the big story, the narrative that begins with creation in Genesis and ends with the new heaven and new earth in Revelation. This story is centered in Jesus, who proclaimed and embodied the kingdom of God, and who opened up access to that kingdom through His death and resurrection. The biblical story ends with God reigning as King of king and Lord of lords, and with the new creation of heaven and earth. Yet we who have put our faith in Jesus do not simply wait around for the story to end. By God’s grace and by His Spirit, we participate with God in the work of putting the world to rights.
\nI find Wright’s summary of the biblical story to be a compelling one. It takes seriously the whole of Scripture, and not merely certain favorite parts. The evangelical story that I summarized in my last post, the story that focuses on personal salvation and life after death, is drawn largely from a few passages in Paul’s letters and the Gospel of John. It bears little relationship to the actual preaching of Jesus, not to mention the long story of God and Israel. Now I should say clearly that I believe this evangelical story to be true, but only as part of the larger biblical story that begins with the first creation in Genesis and ends with the new creation in Revelation. Jesus did indeed die for my sins on the cross, thus opening up for me the way to life after death. But Scripture clearly reveals that His death accomplished far more than this, however wonderful this might be (see Ephesians 2, for example).
\nWright is not saying that the biblical story leaves me out. But he shows, convincingly, that this story is not primarily about getting me and lots of other people saved so we can “go to heaven” after we die. Rather, the grand story of God’s salvation includes me, not only as a recipient, but also as a participant. As a believer in Jesus, I get to join with God in His saving work. My old evangelical story also drew me in, but almost entirely as one who could tell the good news to others so they might believe in Jesus and go to heaven. The biblical story, according to Wright, draws me in, not just as a sharer of the good news, but also as one who lives out that good news in the world, joining with God and His people in His work of putting the world to rights.
\nThe phrase “and His people” in the last sentence is a crucial one. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are joined to the church, the body of Christ in the world. The Christian life is not to be lived alone. Rather, as a member of Christ’s body, I give and receive mutual care. Moreover, I join with other Christians to live out God’s kingdom in the world. Though the ultimate restoration of creation comes only through God’s effort, we who are His people in the world get to have some part of that effort, even today.
\nN.T. Wright has spoken of the church as “the people of God for the world.” This is a wonderful summary of who we are together. We are not just the individuals who know God. And we are not just individuals who serve God in the world. We are not the people of God who exist merely for relationship with God. And we are not just the people of God who care for each other. We are the people of God, bound together as one through the Spirit. And we are the people of God who exist, not just for God and ourselves, but also to serve God in the world.
\nAs you can tell, I respond rather favorably to N.T. Wright’s summary of the Christian story. It’s not just that I like what he says, but that he takes the whole of Scripture seriously. There may well be better versions of the Christian story. But, from my point of view, they will only be better if they do a better job narrating the whole of Scripture. I’m sure Wright’s critics will pick at this or that part of his narrative, perhaps with valid criticisms. But I would challenge them to see if they can tell the the whole biblical story more accurately.
\nToday, if someone were to ask me, “Where can I find the best summary of Christian faith?”, I’d point people first to the Bible. But this is a rather long summary, and it won’t be helpful to all people at first. So, next, I’d point people to pages 55-140 of Simply Christian<\/em>. I know of no better synopsis of what Christianity is really all about.
\nYet this isn’t the end of Simply Christian<\/em>. Tomorrow I’ll address the last part of the book.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the series: Considering N.T. Wright Permalink for this post \/ Permalink for this series In my last post in this series I gave a short overview of N.T. Wright’s synopsis of the grand Christian story in his book Simply Christian. In order to know God, Wright argues, we need more than theological pronouncements. We…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-n-t-wright"],"yoast_head":"\nA Review of Simply Christian by N.T. Wright (Section 3) - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}