Surprised by Scripture

May 12, 2014
The prolific theologian Wright (Surprised by Hope) tackles several critical contemporary issues—such diverse subjects as women’s ordination, science and religion, biblical ecology, the problem of evil, the resurrection of Jesus—and examines them in light of Scripture. Each question is attended to in broad strokes, but with pithy prose and compassionate and serious biblical interpretation that not only puts forth novel ideas, but also deconstructs dangerous old ones (for example, misunderstandings about the Second Coming). Though he teaches at the University of St. Andrews, Wright does not write from an ivory tower. This book is meant for theologians, interested lay people, and even skeptics, who might find something unforeseen in Scripture and look at modern concerns in a new light. In each case, Wright aims “to allow the biblical writers to set the agenda rather than forcing on them a scheme of thought that does not do them justice.” To reveal some of Wright’s conclusions would be like leaking cinematic spoilers; such is the inventive and surprising way that Wright brings the Bible to bear on current, and vexatious, affairs.

October 1, 2014

Wright (Paul and the Faithfulness of God), a celebrated but also controversial scholar and religious leader, here gathers a rather scattershot collection of essays that address contemporary issues, including science and religion, women's ordination, the resurrection, and Adam and Eve. As in the author's earlier works about his engagement with the modern world, Wright's reflections here constitute an unsatisfactory fishtailing and display an indecisive approach. For example, he suggests that women must be allowed to study scripture yet perhaps not to the point of ordination and that Adam and Eve might have been an "early" pair of hominids selected for a special mission. VERDICT Wright's justly earned renown as a scholar should guarantee his latest collection a readership, but his continued efforts to split the discipline may not satisfy either the conservative Christians who cheered his episcopacy or the academics who cherish his earlier work.

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