An N.T. Wright / Paul fan necessity!
Derek Vreeland, Through the Eyes of NT Wright: A Readers Guide to Paul and the Faithfulness of God (Doctrina Press, 2015).
Available on Amazon in Paperback $10.99 and Kindle $3.99)
I am a fan of N.T. Wright. I've even actually read carefully (footnotes and all) some of his monstrous works and use them as texts in a few of my NT courses. So it was with glee that I pre-ordered Paul and the Faithfulness of God so I could dive in as soon as it was released. And dive in I did! That first bit on Philemon was profound and accessible. I learned worthwhile things and received great takeaways.
Then I paused and picked up another book. And another. So there N.T. Wright sits on my shelf, gathering the dust of my good intentions. How might I get unstuck and move forward. Staring at it doesn't seem to help at all.
Good news! Derek Vreeland to the rescue! Vreeland, in my opinion, is an expert on Wright (earned through study and synthesis of Wright's work into real pastoral contexts). He offers himself as a guide to the N.T. Wright / Pauline experience. And he will come to your home if you like ... at least through the pages of a 'Readers Guide.'
In a brisk 100 pages, Vreeland sums up Wright's main arguments and conclusions (yes! - like 'Coles Notes' or 'Wright for Dummies') in a readable roadmap with which to navigate Wright's gargantuan tome on Pauline theology. You could just read Vreeland and get the gist of Wright, but my sense is that the reader will also find themselves launched back into Wright with new confidence ... thus justifying the original purchase. But seriously, with Vreeland's guidance, readers will be reminded that Wright (and Paul, for that matter) are not just about academic forays into theology. This is about having our understanding deepened, our faith nourished and our churches helped--Paul's intent in the first place.
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