BLOG 7/31/18. A REMARKABLE RESOURCE IN NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

I’m not sure that bloggers are supposed to be in the advertising business, or promoting books (there are so many books being published regularly) … but I can’t resist, especially when there appears on the scene a series of commentaries on the New Testament that is so remarkably and skillfully done as a series written by N. T. Wright, and published by Westminster-John Knox under the overall theme of New Testament for Everyone. My comment? Wow!

Let me explain. For fifty years, I sought/attempted to be a skillful preacher-teacher of scriptures out of the pulpit. I was very convinced of the essential role that such teaching is to have in creating well-equipped disciples of Jesus Christ. I knew my limitations, but I was conscientious. I had access, along the way, to major theological libraries and, hence, to the best scholarship of the day. I profited by those engagements in good scholarship. But, then came the equally intimidating task of translating that scholarship into the language and realities of the ordinary mortals to whom I was preaching … that they could identify with. After all, the folk sitting in front of my lectern/pulpit were those who lived a wide diversity of daily occupations, and with the ordinary stresses, doubts, and vicissitudes of a multitude of scenarios.

I was often affirmed by those whom I was teaching, and attained something of a reputation as a better-than-average Biblical preacher. I was involved in various settings with internationally known Biblical scholars, and appreciated their gifts. But, … I often found them, sort of out-there in their own scholarly world and not all that keen on translating that scholarship into a form, and street language, that was understandable and digestible by ordinary folks.

Then, several decades ago, there appeared on the scene N. T. Wright, who was leaving behind him a whole new generation of New Testament scholars who had a whole different flavor, good scholars who were culturally sensitive and could ‘mash’ Biblical scholarship with cultural phenomena so that it became alive and dynamic to its recipients. Wright’s name had passed across my scope, but when I was in a conference with him, and saw him in action, and witnessed his capacity to communicate compellingly, that I sat up and took notice. At that conference it was a new experience to sit in the hotel’s cocktail lounge with Dr. Wright and a half-dozen others, lift a pint, and spend an hour with such a contagious and good-natured personality as he is.

Now, this series of paperbacks on the whole of the New Testament. To say that they are riveting is an understatement. They are compelling, understandable, and Wright exercises his gift as pastor by anticipating the doubts and misunderstandings, as well as the applicability of the texts he is dealing with. I actually look forward to my reading of them each evening, and am the richer and stronger by the encounter with such a remarkable teacher. Simple, profound, rich in insights, engaged with real life.

Do you sense that I am ‘high’ on this resource? You betcha! My highest commendation. What a gift from God this guy has. Twenty-one compact paperback commentaries. That’s my commercial for the day.