n.t. wright
Print »     n.t. wright
Send »     n.t. wright
Add »   Search
Subscribe

Share/Save/Bookmark

Back  
Moble Dictionary of Theology « Mobile » n.t. wright

« Main

spacer image spacer image blog spacer image Christian Respources spacer image bible/concordance spacer image maps spacer image rss
 N.T. Wright
 
Tom (N.T.) Wright is the Bishop of Durham of the Anglican Church and a leading British New Testament scholar. Ordinarily he is known as "Tom Wright", although his academic work has always been published under the name "NT Wright" (Nicholas Thomas). He is generally perceived as coming from a moderately evangelical perspective. He is associated with the so-called Third Quest for the Historical Jesus, and the New Perspective on Paul (a complex movement with many unique positions, originating from the probing works of James Dunn and E. P. Sanders). He argues that the current understanding of Jesus must be connected with what is known to be true about him from the historical perspective of first century Judaism and Christianity.

Wright has written over 30 books.

He has completed three books in a projected six-volume scholarly series Christian Origins and the Question of God. These are:

  1. The New Testament and the People of God,
  2. Jesus and the Victory of God and
  3. The Resurrection of the Son of God.
He has also written books on a popular level, including The Challenge of Jesus and the projected twelve volume For Everyone Bible commentary series in a similar vein to William Barclay's Daily Study Bible series.

His work has been praised by scholars from a wide range of views, such as Professor James DG Dunn, Richard B. Hays and Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. However, critics of his work are also found across the broad range of theological camps, from conservatives such as J. Ligon Duncan to liberals like Robert J. Miller.

Career

Educated at Sedbergh School, then in Yorkshire, Wright specialised in Classics.

From 1968 to 1971, he studied theology and then Literae Humaniores (sometimes called "Greats", i.e. classical literature, philosophy and history) at Exeter College, Oxford. During that time he was president of the undergraduate Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union.

From 1971 to 1975 he studied for the Anglican ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

In 1975 he became a junior research fellow at Merton College, Oxford and later also later junior chaplain. From 1978 to 1981 he was a fellow and Chaplain at Downing College, Cambridge.

After this, he served as assistant professor of New Testament Studies at McGill University, Montreal, then as Chaplain, Fellow and Tutor at Worcester College and lecturer in New Testament in the University of Oxford.

He moved from Oxford to be Dean of Lichfield Cathedral and then Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey.

In 2003, he became the Anglican Bishop of Durham.

On 4 August 2006 he was appointed to the Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved for a period of five years.

Influence and controversy

Wright's work has been praised by many scholars of varying views, including Professor James D. G. Dunn, Richard B. Hays and Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Critics of his work are also found across the broad range of theological camps, from conservatives such as Ligon Duncan to liberals like Robert J. Miller and John Shelby Spong.

Within evangelicalism, Wright has been warmly received particularly by those who identify with the broadly postmodern emerging church movement.

However, his evangelical credentials have often been disputed by conservative theologians and others representing the strongly Reformed evangelical tradition, particularly in the United States. The most contentious issue has been whether he is guilty of denying the Protestant doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone (see sola fide).

He has also received heavy criticism in some decidedly more liberal circles, e.g. by Robert J. Miller. In contrast, the Jesus Seminar's Marcus Borg, with whom Wright shares mutual admiration and respect, has co-authored with Wright the book The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions. In 2005, at the Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum, Wright also dialogued with Jesus Seminar co-founder John Dominic Crossan on the historicity of Jesus' resurrection. Wright and Crossan, who also hold mutual admiration for one another, hold very different opinions on this foundational Christian doctrine. For Crossan, the resurrection of Jesus is a theological interpretation of events by the writers of the New Testament. For Wright, however, the resurrection is a historic event - coherent with the worldview of Second Temple Judaism - fundamental to the New Testament.

Wright hit the headlines in December 2005 when he announced to the press, on the day that the first civil partnership ceremonies took place in England, that he would be likely to take disciplinary action against any clergy registering as civil partners, or any clergy blessing such partnerships.

In 2008, Wright attracted controversy by stating that

"..secular utopianism is based on a belief in an unstoppable human ability to make a better world, while at the same time it believes that we have the right to kill unborn children and surplus old people, and to play games with the humanity of those in between.".
Times columnist David Aaronovitch challenged Wright specifically to substantiate his claim that any secular group does indeed advocate the killing of elderly people, adding that he believed the Bishop's comments to be "as close to a lie as makes no difference". Wright did not respond directly to the challenge, but promised to do so if Aaronovitch would answer three questions of his own. In response, Aaronovitch claimed to address Wright's questions, and called upon Wright now to corroborate his original statement as promised. In an article published by The Times, Wright wrote in support of palliative care, and addressed Aaronovitch's criticism: "I said “ surplus” people. It might well be said that they are not “surplus”, but simply “suffering”. Fair point, but once you legalise killing (or “helping people kill themselves”), the key question will be: how do you know which people can be killed?". Nonetheless, he added that, "I stand by my (admittedly abbreviated) form of words".

Opposition to civil partnerships

Wright attracted media attention in December 2005 when he announced to the press, on the day that the first civil partnership ceremonies took place in England, that he would likely take disciplinary action against any clergy registering as civil partners or any clergy blessing such partnerships.

Selected works

  • The Climax of the Covenant: Christ and the Law in Pauline Theology. Fortress Press, 1991.
  • Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997 / SPCK, 1994
  • What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997.
  • The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is. Hardcover ed. InterVarsity Pr., 1999 / SPCK, 2000
  • The Resurrection of Jesus: John Dominic Crossan and N.T. Wright in Dialogue. Ed. Robert B. Stewart. Paperback ed. Augsburg Fortress, Pub., 2005 / SPCK 2006 (co-authored with John D. Crossan)
  • Paul: Fresh Perspective. Fortress Press, 2005 co-edition SPCK, 2005
  • The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a New Understanding of the Authority of Scripture. Harper SanFrancisco, 2005.
  • Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. Hardcover ed. SPCK, 2006 co-edition HarperCollins Pub., 2006.
  • Judas and the Gospel of Jesus: Have We Missed the Truth about Christianity? SPCK 2006 / Baker Books, 2006.
  • Evil and the Justice of God. SPCK, 2006 / Intervarsity Press, 2006.
  • "The Reasons for Christ's Crucifixion," Stricken by God? Nonviolent Identification and the Victory of Christ (ed. by Brad Jersak and Michael Hardin), 2007.
  • Suprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. HarperOne, 2008.

Christian Origins and the Question of God series

Six volumes expected:
  • The New Testament and the People of God: Christian Origins and the Question of God. Augsburg Fortress, 1992.
  • Jesus and the Victory of God: Christian Origins and the Question of God, Volume 2. Augsburg Fortress, 1996.
  • The Resurrection of the Son of God. Augsburg Fortress, 2003.

For Everyone series

  • Matthew for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1-15. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. SPCK and Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
  • Matthew for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 16-28. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. SPCK and Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
  • Mark for Everyone. 2nd ed. SPCK and Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
  • Luke for Everyone. 2nd ed. SPCK and Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
  • John for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1-10. Paperback ed. SPCK and Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
  • John for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 11-21. 2nd ed. SPCK and Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
  • Paul for Everyone: 1 Corinthians. 2nd ed. SPCK, 2004.
  • Paul for Everyone: 2 Corinthians. 2nd ed. SPCK, 2004.
  • Paul for Everyone: the Pastoral Letters. 2nd ed. SPCK, 2004.
  • Paul for Everyone, the Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philipians, Colossians and Philemon. 2nd ed. SPCK and Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
  • Hebrews for Everyone. 2nd ed. SPCK, 2004.

Historical Jesus

As regards the Historical Jesus, Wright stands broadly in the tradition of Albert Schweitzer (thoroughgoing eschatology), against what he sees as the thoroughgoing skepticism of William Wrede (famous for his thesis on the Messianic Secret in the Gospel of Mark as an apologetic and ahistorical device) and the controversial Jesus Seminar, Wrede's modern-day counterparts. He tends to agree with and laud such scholars as E.P. Sanders and the lesser-known Ben F. Meyer (whom Wright calls "the unsung hero" of New Testament studies), although he thinks Sanders and others go too far in their use of form criticism. He also thinks it is a mistake to say that Jesus expected the imminence of the end of history, as Schweitzer thought, but rather thinks that Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God as something both present and future.

He was a member of the Lambeth Commission set up to deal with controversies that emerged following Episcopal Church in the United States of America's ordination of a practising homosexual as bishop. Wright is the senior member from the Church of England.

Report of the Lambeth Commission

The Archbishop of Canterbury requested the Lambeth Commission on Communion to report to him by September, 2004. The Commission was asked to consider the legal and theological implications flowing from decisions related to homosexuality that were apparently threatening the communion. In addition to decisions relating to the blessing of same-sex unions, the Commission was asked to examine the decision of the Episcopal Church (USA) to appoint a priest, Gene Robinson, in a committed same-sex relationship as one of its bishops. The Commission was charged with specifically considering the effects on communion: "impaired and broken communion," between provinces of the Anglican Communion over the above decisions.

In its report, known as the Windsor Report, the Commission put forward the following general findings”

The Commission regrets that without attaching sufficient importance to the interests of the wider Communion:
  • The Episcopal Church (USA) proceeded with the consecration of Gene Robinson
  • The 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church (USA) declared that 'local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions'
  • The Diocese of New Westminster approved the use of public Rites for the Blessing of same-sex unions.
  • The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada issued a statement affirming the integrity and sanctity of committed same-sex relationships.
  • A number of primates and other bishops have taken it upon themselves to intervene in the affairs of other provinces of the Communion.
The Commission called for a moratorium on the blessing of same-sex unions, and recommended that bishops who have authorised such rites in the United States and Canada "be invited to express regret that the proper constraints of the bonds of affection were breached by such authorisation." The report was roundly condemned by the gay community and progressive theologians for its partiality. (For example, while it calls for both liberals and conservatives to express regret for actions contributing to disunity, it acknowledges that conservatives may have committed such actions out of a sense of duty, but extends no such understanding to the Dioceses of New Westminster or New Hampshire).

Wright Lectures and Articles

« back

 

Wright Audio/Video

« back

InterVarsity Press Conference, January 1999:

Wright Speaking Engagements

« back

 

Wright Sermons

« back

 

Book Excerpts:

« back

 

Book Reviews:

« back

 

Q&A, Articles and Interviews

« back

 

Anglican Church Articles:

« back

 

Wrightsaid Responses:

« back

 

Bible Review Articles

« back

 

New Dictionary of Theology Articles

« back

 

Translations:

« back

 

Newspaper Articles:

« back

 

Other Writings:

« back

 

Reviews:

« back

 

Articles about Wright:

« back

 

Software/Audio/Video:

« back

 

Related Links:

« back

 

References

  • Nicholas Thomas Wright, Curriculum Vitae. Retrieved on 2007-07-16.
  • Durham University: Anniversary accolades for major achievement (accessed 16 July 2007)
  • London Gazette: no. 58062, page 10685, 4 August 2006. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  • Stewart, Robert B. (2007) The Resurrection of Jesus: William Dembksi and Michael Ruse in Dialogue Minneapolis: Fortress Press. ISBN-13: 978-0800662189
  • BBC News In quotes: The ethics of embryos (accessed 31 March 2008)
  • Times Online Wicked untruths from the Church (accessed 31 March 2008)
  • Times Online Bishops speak out on embryos (accessed 31 March 2008)
  • Times Online Who wants to kill the elderly? (accessed 31 March 2008)
  • Times Online Euthanasia - a murky moral world (accessed 3 April 2008)
  • Wright, N.T. (1999) The Challenge of Jesus InterVarsity Press. ISBN-13: 978-0830822003
  • Wright, N.T. (1997) The Original Jesus: The Life and Vision of a Revolutionary Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. ISBN-13: 978-0802842831
  • Wright, N.T. (1999) The Challenge of Jesus InterVarsity Press. ISBN-13: 978-0830822003
  • The Lambeth Commission on Communion - The Windsor Report - Members
  • Gay vicar flouts partnership rule, BBC News (accessed 19 May 2007)
  • http://www.ntwrightpage.com/

Site this page:

Timothy Ministries Dictionary of Theology. http://timothyministries.org 2005-2010.
"N.t. Wright"  < http://timothyministries.org/theologicaldictionary/references.aspx?theword=n.t. wright >   Retrieved: Jul 30 2010 6:52AM
#twurch
 
related to your query 
Paul the Apostlego »
Gospel of Matthewgo »
Son of Mango »
The Jesus Seminargo »
Paul of Tarsusgo »
123
Translate a word/phrase

Translate n.t. wright to:
Other Items
Torrey's n.t. wright
Nave's n.t. wright
Easton's n.t. wright
Eurekster n.t. wright
 Add td Search
to your Site.


 
Short Description
Tom (N.T.) Wright is the Bishop of Durham of the Anglican Church and a leading British New Testament scholar. Ordinarily he is known as "Tom Wright", although his academic work has always been published under the name "NT Wright" (Nicholas Thomas). He is generally perceived as coming from a moderately evangelical perspective. He is associated with the so-called Third Quest for the Historical Jesus, and the New Perspective on Paul (a complex movement with many unique positions, originating from ... more
spacer image blog spacer image Christian Respources spacer image bible/concordance spacer image maps

rss feed archive spacer image rss animated feed  xml feed

Some of the information in this database has been extracted in whole or in part with and without modifications from http://en.wikipedia.org in accordance with their copyleft policy, also known as "Share-alike".

Some of these terms may have been extracted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ » n.t. wright under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no Back-Cover Texts.

A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Readers, a word of caution about Wikipedia articles. Wikipedia articles are edited by volunteers. The only necessary qualifications to become a Wikipedia editor are:
  • willingness to contribute and
  • Internet access
and therefore, some Wikipedia articles may not be reliable since an editor could literally be anyone.

For further information about the reliability of Wikipedia articles, see the article: Reliability of Wikipedia

2005-2010 TimothyMinistries.org
Timothy Ministries is an IRS approved non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
#twurch