Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense more or less summarizes much of the writing and theology of N.T. Wright. Like the rest of his catalogue, Simply Christian digs deep, although I think this may be one of his most broadly accessible works.
Wright peers into the misconceptions of many people in modern society, both those who consider themselves Christian and those that do not. He makes a very strong argument for the sensibility of Christianity, but explains that it requires the stripping down of misconceptions about God in order for it to make sense. God, he explains, is not in everything (as in pantheism) yet also is not distant. God resides very near to Earth, and one day heaven will come down to Earth and the Kingdom of God will be upon us. He then goes into a very detailed description as to how this all makes sense.
Wright delves into many different topics throughout the course of the book. He deconstructs worship, vocation, resurrection, the nature of Jesus, and so much more. His arguments feel like a breath of fresh air or a drink of fresh cool water. He paints a picture of Christianity in the way it should be, not in the way that it has been perverted by many in modern society. I can't fully describe the beauty of this type of faith - it has to be read to be understood fully. Some of Wright's ideas will challenge your perspective and your hard-set beliefs, but he makes everything so clear and richly supported by the Bible.
My mind was definitely refreshed through reading this book. I've read so many generic Christian works and have grown increasingly frustrated by the partisan politics played by far too many churches - not to mention the hijacking of the Christian faith by the Republican Party. It's nice to read something (relatively) free of bias. Honestly, the only bias I came across was several pages devoted to the promotion of the liturgy as a form of worship. Wright was, after all, a bishop in the Anglican church. Wright makes a passionate plea for greater unity in the body of Christ. Partisan politics only distract us from the focus: God. And what a mighty God we serve.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I would highly recommend this just about anyone. Non-Christians can find a strong argument for the sensibility of Christianity from the pen of an intelligent individual. "New" Christians can find a lot of foundational wisdom in these pages. "Old" Christians can renew and refresh their minds. While not as strong as my favorite Christian "summary of the faith" book (C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity), this is still one of the finest books on Christian theology out there. If you haven't read Mere Christianity, read that first. Then give this book a try - it's a good companion piece.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
55/100 books, still well on track, at least 5 books ahead of schedule!
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