Simply Jesus, by N.T. Wright

Just finished reading this book by Bishop of Durham, author and scholar N.T. Wright. It’s a wonderful look into the claims of Jesus through the gospels as well as an in-depth look into how the Old Testament points out to the figure of Jesus.

This is not a review of the book nor is it meant to be. I just wanted to share a quote from the book that quite impressed me.

Before that, however, I just wanted to point out a few things I liked about the book.

I liked his attempt to portray certain debates and arguments that are surrounding apologetics today as it concerns the Jesus of the bible. Wright doesn’t claim he is writing to defend the historicity of Jesus but his analogy of the perfect storm brewing when atheists, agnostics, liberals and conservatives start to discuss Jesus is a very powerful metaphor that draws us in to the content and it’s carried on for most of the book.

I particularly enjoyed his exegesis of Isaiah and the suffering servant chapters as well as Daniel 2 and 7.

I also enjoyed his understanding of the death, ressurection, ascension and second coming, even though he didn’t go in-depth into it.

The part I most thoroughly enjoyed however, is the establishment of Chrit’s rule on earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The idea that Christ reigns now through his church is very powerful and something every Christian should understand, which leads me to share this marvelous quote from the book.

If you don’t want me to spoil it for you, simply stop reading now and get the book.

You can buy it here.

“This is what it looks like, today, when Jesus is running the world. This after all, what he told us to expect. The poor in spirit will be making the Kingdom of heaven happen. The meek will be taking over the earth, so gently that the powerful won’t notice until it’s too late. The peacemakers will be putting the arms manufacturers out of business. Those who are hungry and thirsty for God’s justice will be analyzing government policy and legal rulings and speaking up on behalf of those at the bottom of the pile. The merciful will be surprising everybody by showing that there is a different way to do human relations other than being judgmental, eager to put everyone else down. “You are the light of the world,” said Jesus. “You are the salt of the earth.” He was announcing a program yet to be completed. He was inviting his hearers, then and now, to join him in making it happen. This is, quite simply, what it looks like when Jesus is enthroned.” – p. 231