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Book Review by Matt Gelvin

Simply Christian       by N.T. Wright

Simply Christian is one of the most influential books I’ve read in the last few years.  The straightforward logic and incredible insight contained in the book remind me of a modern day C.S. Lewis.

N.T. Wright is a British clergyman and theologian.  He is a Bishop in the Church of England, has taught at Oxford and Cambridge, and is one of the leading New Testament scholars.  Christianity Today lists Wright as one of the top 5 Theologians in the world.  He is the author of more than 40 books.  His works extend from the scholarly to books designed for those new to the faith.

Simply Christian is a modern echo of C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity.  It was written, in Wright’s words, “to describe what Christianity is all about, both to commend it to those outside the faith and to explain it to those inside.”  The book covers all aspects of the Christian faith and tackles difficult questions like: “If the earth is full of God’s glory, why is it also full of pain and anguish and screaming and despair?”  And, “what does it mean that God’s Word is inspired?”

N.T. Wright is a great teacher; he is able to look at the big picture, God’s overall plan for Creation, and point out how every aspect of the Christian faith fits into it.  The book is divided into three sections.  

Part One raises questions about areas of life that seem incomplete and point to the idea of something better: Justice (or the problem of pain), Spirituality (so many people look for it and get it so wrong), Relationships (we all want to love and be loved, but doing so is far from easy), and Beauty (great beauty exists alongside much that is ugly in this world).  Part Two and Three of the book deal with four main questions of Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, and Beauty.

Part Two of the book outlines the central beliefs of Christianity.  Here Wright covers subjects such as God, Israel, Jesus, Salvation, and the Holy Spirit.  Even if you’re familiar with the Christian faith, this section offers a great overview and explanation of how the beliefs mesh together.

Part Three of Simply Christian deals with Christian Living.  While in Part Two Wright shows how to confront the problems of this world, here in Part Three he shows how we are to live in response.  Actions such as prayer, worship, and evangelism are natural outpourings of the Christian life.  N.T. Wright offers a paragraph that illustrates this:
The point of following Jesus isn’t simply so that we can be sure of going to a better place than this after we die.  Our future beyond death is enormously important, but the nature of the Christian hope is such that it plays back into the present life.  We’re called, here and now, to be instruments of God’s new creation, the world-put-to-rights which has already been launched in Jesus and of which Jesus' followers are supposed to be not simply beneficiaries but also agents.

Simply Christian is a great book if you’re looking to learn more about the Christian faith, bolster the beliefs you already have, or just review what Christianity is really all about.  This book offered me a fresh perspective and a renewed interest in my beliefs.

Other praise for Simply Christian:

“Simply Christian goes beyond C.S. Lewis’ great classic Mere Christianity.  N.T. Wright is simply crucial; his writing can transform one’s life.  This will become a classic.”
 –Anne Rice, author of Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt

“I can’t think of anyone who has done more to clarify what thoughtful historic Christianity looks like in our day than Tom Wright.  If you are interested in Christianity, this is the time to meet him.”
-John Ortberg, teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

This review is provided by Matt Gelvin. Matt is one of the Emerging Church leaders, an avid reader, and a keeper at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. You can reach Matt at