I’m finally getting around to reading Justification by NT Wright. I’m 40 pages in, and I am happy to say that Wright agrees with me. I do believe that I have finally found a theologian who agrees with the way I have always read Scripture.
It is terribly hard to put the book down, although I must because I have graduate responsibilities to tend to this afternoon, so I wish to give you a glimpse. I know others have written about the book or quoted it here or there. What I propose to do is read and think through the book just as I did with Jesus For President (which, by the way, I have gained some clarity on in recent days, especially in regard to what is referred to pejoratively as ‘redemptive violence’; more on that another time).
So here’s a word from Pastor Wright:
It is central to Paul, but almost entirely ignored in perspectives old, new and otherwise, that God had a single plan all along through which he intended to rescue the world and the human race, and that this single plan was centered upon the call of Israel, a call which Paul saw coming to fruition in Israel’s representative, the Messiah. Read Paul like this, and you can keep all the jigsaw pieces on the table. Ignore this great narrative, and you will have to sweep half of them out of sight or try the Stasi trick. (35; his emphasis)
Wright is simply brilliant here. The last major series of sermons I preached to my former family dealt with just this subject and traced the story of faith from the the creation, to the fall, to the call, through the prophets, to the Messiah, to the New Heavens and the New Earth. It’s all there: We are sons of Abraham.
I hope to share more of this wonderful book with you as I read along. I’m not trying to step on any toes of those who have already written reviews or quoted from the book. I just hope to share some of his wisdom and the beauty of his work in the Word with you who might not otherwise dare to read it.
Blessings.
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13 Comments(+Add)
It is heartening to see that Wright acknowledges the uniqueness of the Apostle Paul.
That quote gets down to what I love about Wright. He is always bringing his theology back to the fact that Scripture, and really all of history, is about God’s covenant-keeping nature and His grand plan of redemption that He’s been fulfilling throughout time.
I actually just started his other small book about Paul (Paul in Fresh Perspective) this because I enjoyed Justification so much.
Yes, Rick, you are correct. However, earlier in the same chapter he warns against those who take too much Paul without any Gospels, even as he warns against those who take too much Gospels without any Paul.
His goal, so far as I have seen in anything I have read by him, is balance and perspective.
Jerry – I agree.
Paul – Strong in doctrine
Gospels – Strong in living
I still don’t understand your take on the Paul thing, Rick. What good is doctrine if it doesn’t affect the way you live in some way? It’s not as if Paul was writing esoteric tomes that didn’t relate to real life, and it’s not as Jesus didn’t say things that need to be interpreted through the lens of theology.
I do not deny any of that. I contend that Paul was chosen as the revelator to the church. He is to the church what Moses was to Israel.
That does not negate the other NT writers and of course the teachings and narratives in the gospels.
Rick,
I wonder if that can be demonstrated from Scripture or if Paul himself viewed himself that way?
jerry
Not sure I agree with this at all. Where does this thinking come from other than the fact that he wrote the most epistles? If you read Peter or John or James, you get a different style, but is it any less substantive?
I also agree with Phil in the sense that there is no clear line between doctrine and lifestyle. It is a complete package and neither Christ, nor Paul, nor any other, inflated one against the other.
Paul is the only apostle that used the term “my gospel”. Paul claims he labored “more than they all”, and he insist he recived the gospel directly from the Risen and ascended Christ. Even Peter showed submission to Paul and his authority.
This is what I believe.
I read the article Rick and do not discount Paul’s importance, but I think his calling can be overdone.
You say this:
And yet, if I challenge you to find a single instance where Paul teaches (either in Acts or even one of his epistles) about the perils of a place called HELL, you come up blank.
So it seems that we can pretty-much be guilty of using the gospels when it suits us (ie: Hell) and then leaning on Paul when necessary.
I think the entirety of scripture is consistent in its message.
In the end, remember the Bride of Christ (Rev 21) has 12 foundations which are the 12 apostles. There is no special place for Paul above the others.
I think the best way to think of Paul in comparison to the others might be through the lens of the parable of the Talents. He might have been entrusted with more than, say, Nathanael, but Paul himself states we are “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone.”
In one case he even said: “For I am the least of the apostles…” He was a humble (and great) man, but let’s not pit scripture against scripture.
Rick, let me add that I, in no way, am indicating you are elevating Paul to the position of Christ or anything like that. Your love of Christ is evident in all you write and post.
I love the writings of the apostle Paul myself and see depth in virtually every verse he penned.
I realize my view of Paul is controversial, and I count all Scripture as important.
* I will not bite on your “hell” bait!
I figured you wouldn’t