Simply Jesus : a new vision of who he was, what he did, and why it matters

'We have grown used to the battles over Jesus-whether he was human or divine as well, whether he could do miracles or just inspire them, whether he even existed or not. Much of the church defends tradition and the critics take shots at that tradition. But what if these debates have masked the real story of Jesus from us? What if even Jesus's defenders in the church have been blinded by so focusing on these issues that it has prevented them from fully grappling with what the Gospels really teach? Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling author N.T. Wright summarizes a lifetime of study of Jesus and the New Testament in order to present for a general audience who Jesus was and is. In SIMPLY JESUS, we are invited to hear one of our leading scholars introduce the story of carpenter's son from Nazareth as if we were hearing it for the first time. 'Jesus-the Jesus we might discover if we really looked,' explains Wright, 'is larger, more disturbing, more urgent than we had ever imagined. We have successfully managed to hide behind other questions and to avoid the huge, world-shaking challenge of Jesus' central claim and achievement. It is we, the churches, who have been the real reductionists. We have reduced the kingdom of God to private piety; the victory of the cross to comfort for the conscience; Easter itself to a happy, escapist ending after a sad, dark tale. Piety, conscience and ultimate happiness are important, but not nearly as important as Jesus himself.' As the church faces the many challenges of the twenty-first century, Wright has presented a vision of Jesus that more than meets them'-- & nbsp;Read more... A very odd sort of king -- The three puzzles -- The perfect storm -- The making of a first-century storm -- The hurricane -- God's in charge now -- The campaign starts here -- Stories which explain, a message which transforms -- The kingdom present and future -- Battle and temple -- Space, time and matter -- At the heart of the storm -- Why would the Messiah have to die? -- Under new management : Easter and beyond -- Jesus : ruler of the world We Have Grown Used To The Battles Over Jesus-whether He Was Human Or Divine As Well, Whether He Could Do Miracles Or Just Inspire Them, Whether He Even Existed Or Not. Much Of The Church Defends Tradition And The Critics Take Shots At That Tradition. But What If These Debates Have Masked The Real Story Of Jesus From Us? What If Even Jesus's Defenders In The Church Have Been Blinded By So Focusing On These Issues That It Has Prevented Them From Fully Grappling With What The Gospels Really Teach? Bible Scholar, Anglican Bishop, And Bestselling Author N.t. Wright Summarizes A Lifetime Of Study Of Jesus And The New Testament In Order To Present For A General Audience Who Jesus Was And Is. In Simply Jesus, We Are Invited To Hear One Of Our Leading Scholars Introduce The Story Of Carpenter's Son From Nazareth As If We Were Hearing It For The First Time. Jesus-the Jesus We Might Discover If We Really Looked, Explains Wright, Is Larger, More Disturbing, More Urgent Than We Had Ever Imagined. We Have Successfully Managed To Hide Behind Other Questions And To Avoid The Huge, World-shaking Challenge Of Jesus' Central Claim And Achievement. It Is We, The Churches, Who Have Been The Real Reductionists. We Have Reduced The Kingdom Of God To Private Piety; The Victory Of The Cross To Comfort For The Conscience; Easter Itself To A Happy, Escapist Ending After A Sad, Dark Tale. Piety, Conscience And Ultimate Happiness Are Important, But Not Nearly As Important As Jesus Himself. As The Church Faces The Many Challenges Of The Twenty-first Century, Wright Has Presented A Vision Of Jesus That More Than Meets Them-- A Very Odd Sort Of King -- The Three Puzzles -- The Perfect Storm -- The Making Of A First-century Storm -- The Hurricane -- God's In Charge Now -- The Campaign Starts Here -- Stories That Explain And A Message That Transforms -- The Kingdom Present And Future -- Battle And Temple -- Space, Time And Matter -- At The Heart Of The Storm -- Why Would The Messiah Have To Die? -- Under New Management : Easter And Beyond -- Jesus : The Ruler Of The World. N.t. Wright. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "We have grown used to the battles over Jesus-whether he was human or divine as well, whether he could do miracles or just inspire them, whether he even existed or not. Much of the church defends tradition and the critics take shots at that tradition. But what if these debates have masked the real story of Jesus from us? What if even Jesus's defenders in the church have been blinded by so focusing on these issues that it has prevented them from fully grappling with what the Gospels really teach? Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling author N.T. Wright summarizes a lifetime of study of Jesus and the New Testament in order to present for a general audience who Jesus was and is. In SIMPLY JESUS, we are invited to hear one of our leading scholars introduce the story of carpenter's son from Nazareth as if we were hearing it for the first time. "Jesus-the Jesus we might discover if we really looked, " explains Wright, "is larger, more disturbing, more urgent than we had ever imagined. We have successfully managed to hide behind other questions and to avoid the huge, world-shaking challenge of Jesus' central claim and achievement. It is we, the churches, who have been the real reductionists. We have reduced the kingdom of God to private piety; the victory of the cross to comfort for the conscience; Easter itself to a happy, escapist ending after a sad, dark tale. Piety, conscience and ultimate happiness are important, but not nearly as important as Jesus himself." As the church faces the many challenges of the twenty-first century, Wright has presented a vision of Jesus that more than meets them"-- Provided by publisher

Why is justice fair? Why are so many people pursuing spirituality? Why do we crave relationship? And why is beauty so beautiful? N. T. Wright argues that each of these questions takes us into the mystery of who God is and what he wants from us. For two thousand years Christianity has claimed to answer these mysteries, and this renowned biblical scholar and Anglican bishop shows that it still does today. Like C. S. Lewis did in his classic Mere Christianity, Wright makes the case for Christian faith from the ground up, assuming that the reader is starting from ground zero with no predisposition to and perhaps even some negativity toward religion in general and Christianity in particular. His goal is to describe Christianity in as simple and accessible, yet hopefully attractive and exciting, a way as possible, both to say to outsides "You might want to look at this further," and to say to insiders "You may not have quite understood this bit clearly yet."

Why is justice fair? Why are so many people pursuing spirituality? Why do we crave relationship? And why is beauty so beautiful? N. T. Wright argues that each of these questions takes us into the mystery of who God is and what he wants from us. For two thousand years Christianity has claimed to answer these mysteries, and this renowned biblical scholar and Anglican bishop shows that it still does today. Like C. S. Lewis did in his classic Mere Christianity, Wright makes the case for Christian faith from the ground up, assuming that the reader is starting from ground zero with no predisposition to and perhaps even some negativity toward religion in general and Christianity in particular. His goal is to describe Christianity in as simple and accessible, yet hopefully attractive and exciting, a way as possible, both to say to outsides ÔYou might want to look at this further,Ö and to say to insiders ÔYou may not have quite understood this bit clearly yet.Ö Why is justice fair? Why are so many people pursuing spirituality? Why do we crave relationship? And why is beauty so beautiful? N.T. Wright argues that each of these questions takes us into the mystery of who God is and what he wants from us. For two thousand years Christianity has claimed to answer these mysteries, and this renowned biblical scholar and Anglican bishop shows that it still does today. Like C.S. Lewis did in his classic Mere Christianity, Wright makes the case for Christian faith from the ground up, assuming that the reader is starting from ground zero with no predisposition to and perhaps even some negativity toward religion in general and Christianity in particular. His goal is to describe Christianity in as simple and accessible, yet hopefully attractive and exciting, a way as possible, both to say to outsiders "You might want to look at this further," and to say to insiders "You may not have quite understood this bit clearly yet." In Simply Jesus , bestselling author and leading Bible scholar N.T. Wright summarizes 200 years of modern Biblical scholarship and models how Christians can best retell the story of Jesus today. In a style similar to C.S. Lewiss popular works, Wright breaks down the barriers that prevent Christians from fully engaging with the story of Jesus. For believers confronting the challenge of connecting with their faith today, and for readers of Timothy Kellers The Reason for God , Wrights Simply Jesus offers a provocative new picture of how to understand who Jesus was and how Christians should relate to him today. Not since C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity has such a wise and informed leader taken the time to explain what Christianity is and how it is practiced. In Simply Christian, renowned biblical scholar and Anglican bishop N.T. Wright makes a case for Christianity from the ground up. Walking the reader through the Christian faith step-by-step and question by question, Wright's Simply Christian offers explanations for even the toughest doubt-filled skeptics, leaving believers with a reason for renewed faith