Rating: 
Summary: A MUST READ
Review: This series although quite lengthy from THE NEW TESTAMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF GOD, JESUS AND THE VICTORY OF GOD, AND THE RESSURECTION OF THE SON OF GOD. Is a must read for anyone who is interested in the truth. Wright gets into not only the theological but the historic fact of political upheaval in the first centuries as well the hope of the everyday Jew and the messiah they were looking for. Wright fully believes in the resurrection of Christ and that he is the vary presence of God and that in him all the scripture are fulfilled. And that God does not come in and out of the world but is always in control it a lot of reading but well worth it. This series is a refreshing in that it looks into how the bible was understood in the first centuries and not how the twentieth century sees it and Christ. This is the right step to take as Christian
Rating:
Summary: An important new approach
Review: An excellent summary of second century Judaism and where Jesus and early Christianity might fit in. The centerpiece of his reinterpretation esp after reading vol. 2 appears to be Dr. Wrights' re reading of the purpose and meaning of apocalyptic literature.. Since he is convinced it is more "this worldly" in intent as a sort of political-religious resistance literature, I would like to see how other scholars respond.. This seems to be the basis from which he asserts that Jesus and Christianity are more geared to the here and now (rather than the traditional Christian question "how do I get to heaven?") than normally conceived.
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC ARGUMENT FOR JEWISH ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY
Review: Any attempt to characterize this book is like trying to bottle a whirlwind--it is a massive, heavily documented, and well argued case for a historical understanding of the origin of Christianity. Basically, Wright argues for: 1) a proper historical methodology, 2) a 2nd-temple Jewish background for Jesus & the N.T., and 3) a Jewish Messianic understanding of earliest Christian community. According to Wright, there is no such thing as a totally "objective" neutral view of reality; and while the N.T. offers an "interpretation" of Jesus, it is precisely the historical Jesus who is presented to us--rather than distorting Jesus, or creating a figure, to express their own private perspective, their witness brings out the "real" significance of the historical Jesus. Thus Wright argues for a "critical realism" methodology. Next Wright argues for a common worldview of 2nd temple Judaism, via an examination of its typical praxis, symbols, and beliefs. Then he argues that we can best understand Jesus, the N.T., and the earliest Christian community against this background. In all of these arguments, Wright draws upon numerous extant Jewish sources and references to other scholarly works. Wright's treatment is comprehensive, massive, detailed, compelling, and original. His treatment of Jesus, the N.T., and the early Christian community against the Jewish background brings them to life, is believable and convincing; and throughout his book he critiques other scholarly positions and demonstrates how his offers a more probable accurate historical point of view. In the process, he destroys numerous traditional critical theories and sets the direction for all future discussion.
Rating:
Summary: N.T. Wright does it again
Review: As I worked my way through the first third or so of the book, it seemed to me that much of the material could stand to be at least revised, if not drastically condensed. However, as I moved closer towards the final section of the book, which turns to the writings of the New Testament in such a way that can only be fully appreciated having experienced the preceding 400 pages, I experienced a change of heart. In those 400 pages, Wright develops a hypothesis for how to read the New Testament writings, and equips the reader with historical, theological, literary, and perhaps most importantly, epistemological tools necessary for the job. Wright devotes the first part of the book to some selected, general cognitive issues: specifically, outlining, correcting, and updating the weaknesses of the epistemological tendencies of the post-enlightenment period as he perceives them. He passionately calls for a move away from the "propositionalism" that characterised the Modern period, and towards an understanding of reality as a whole that is more narrative-oriented and realistic. In the second part of the book, Wright surveys the different beliefs, hopes, and understandings that would have characterised the Jewish worldview during the approximately 400 year period between the Maccabean revolt in the 2nd century B.C.E. and the Bar-Kochba rebellion in the 2nd century C.E. Short of another Schurer revision, there is little more that could possibly be done to make this survey more comprehensive than it stands. The underlying theme here is "worldview," and it is this theme that propels the book into the final section. The third part, then, stands as a proposal for developing a methodology, for lack of a better term, for understanding the writings of the New Testament, or perhaps more appropriately, the worldview underpinning the same. Such a methodology would both include and require a solid understanding of the perception of reality in general, and also how the Jews of the period would have perceived their respective realities, given their history and contemporary situations. This is where the work really starts to come together: don't miss it! A couple of concerns. As is the case with many New Testament treatises, Wright repeatedly interacts with and chides what he refers to as the "Bultmannian" school; interaction with scholarship is one thing, but the extent to and ways in which Wright does so with Bultmann, one must wonder how much of this work is simply a vendetta and reaction against the life's work of a now-dead German scholar with whom he happens to vehemently disagree. His interaction with the cerebral rationalism of modernity takes much the same tone. Another concern is the occasional biting tone of the book. It is a bit too conversational at times, and as is the case with the Bultmann tradition, unnecessary jabs are sometimes taken at a few selected straw-men antagonists. As such, the book at times takes on somewhat of an accusatory and ostentatious tone, which is of course quite out of place in a work such as this. All things considered, this is a most excellent introduction to the writings of the New Testament. One could conceivably refer to it as a hybrid, wedding as it does the traditionally disparate historical, theological, philosophical and literary dimensions of New Testament study. If there is one thing of which Wright could emphatically not be accused as it relates to this work, it is the failure to be thorough and erudite: Wright leaves absolutely no stone unturned in this study, and interacts with literally hundreds of other scholars on the issues at hand. This is a welcome addition to the world of New Testament studies.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, Comprehensive
Review: As I worked my way through the first third or so of the book, it seemed to me that much of the material could stand to be at least revised, if not drastically condensed. However, as I moved closer towards the final section of the book, which turns to the writings of the New Testament in such a way that can only be fully appreciated having experienced the preceding 400 pages, I experienced a change of heart. In those 400 pages, Wright develops a hypothesis for how to read the New Testament writings, and equips the reader with historical, theological, literary, and perhaps most importantly, epistemological tools necessary for the job. Wright devotes the first part of the book to some selected, general cognitive issues: specifically, outlining, correcting, and updating the weaknesses of the epistemological tendencies of the post-enlightenment period as he perceives them. He passionately calls for a move away from the "propositionalism" that characterised the Modern period, and towards an understanding of reality as a whole that is more narrative-oriented and realistic. In the second part of the book, Wright surveys the different beliefs, hopes, and understandings that would have characterised the Jewish worldview during the approximately 400 year period between the Maccabean revolt in the 2nd century B.C.E. and the Bar-Kochba rebellion in the 2nd century C.E. Short of another Schurer revision, there is little more that could possibly be done to make this survey more comprehensive than it stands. The underlying theme here is "worldview," and it is this theme that propels the book into the final section. The third part, then, stands as a proposal for developing a methodology, for lack of a better term, for understanding the writings of the New Testament, or perhaps more appropriately, the worldview underpinning the same. Such a methodology would both include and require a solid understanding of the perception of reality in general, and also how the Jews of the period would have perceived their respective realities, given their history and contemporary situations. This is where the work really starts to come together: don't miss it! A couple of concerns. As is the case with many New Testament treatises, Wright repeatedly interacts with and chides what he refers to as the "Bultmannian" school; interaction with scholarship is one thing, but the extent to and ways in which Wright does so with Bultmann, one must wonder how much of this work is simply a vendetta and reaction against the life's work of a now-dead German scholar with whom he happens to vehemently disagree. His interaction with the cerebral rationalism of modernity takes much the same tone. Another concern is the occasional biting tone of the book. It is a bit too conversational at times, and as is the case with the Bultmann tradition, unnecessary jabs are sometimes taken at a few selected straw-men antagonists. As such, the book at times takes on somewhat of an accusatory and ostentatious tone, which is of course quite out of place in a work such as this. All things considered, this is a most excellent introduction to the writings of the New Testament. One could conceivably refer to it as a hybrid, wedding as it does the traditionally disparate historical, theological, philosophical and literary dimensions of New Testament study. If there is one thing of which Wright could emphatically not be accused as it relates to this work, it is the failure to be thorough and erudite: Wright leaves absolutely no stone unturned in this study, and interacts with literally hundreds of other scholars on the issues at hand. This is a welcome addition to the world of New Testament studies.
Rating: 
Summary: Plowing Through
Review: I never made it past the first three chapters (even though we were assigned to read the whole thing). The long, drawn out epistomology (the study of knowledge) and boring examples (sucked the life out of Little Red Ridinghood) was so hard to get through, I probably never made it to the good stuff. Definitely not fun, exciting reading for the average person. The only interesting thing to me was the constant use of the phrase "the proof is in the pudding". But then again, I'm not a scholar.
Rating:
Summary: N.T. Wright proves is a scholar to be reckoned with
Review: In his repudiation of the solipsistic postmodern approach to literature, his methodological, critical realist approach facilitates his solid, well-developed conclusions. Definitely a must read in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Let's Get Something Straight
Review: N. T. Wright may be a brilliant NT scholar, he may even be a devout Christian, but he definitely is NOT an ORTHODOX PROTESTANT scholar. Wright's view of soteriology is skewed and does not conform to the historic Protestant understanding of justification. Wright and those who follow his views may protest otherwise but the truth is that Wright's soteriology is wrong and him trying to use Protestant labels is misleading (he believes that justification is like having some covenant member badge; while the Reformers believed that justification is a forensic declaration of God of the believer). Wright's view of Law and Gospel is swallowed up by the New Perspective started by higher-critics, modernists, and liberals like E. P. Sanders, Heikki Raisanen, and James D. G. Dunn. It is sad that someone who can contribute so much to Christianity has to use misleading labels and think contrary to the great men of the Reformation like Martin Luther and John Calvin. Before one starts to say how great Wright's works are one should get straight where he lies on the theological spectrum.
Rating:
Summary: Must-read for any NT students
Review: No NT theologian has dared to tackle the gargantuan goals which N.T. Wright has set before him in his series, "Christian Origins and the Question of God." Wright's first volume, NTPG, is a fast-paced intro to the whole project, offering a fine picture of both first-century christianity and second-temple judaism. Wright's explanation of the continuiing exile for Jews during the first century A.D. has enormous implications for any NT scholar. Wright weds a scholarly depth rarely seen with a literary warmth not seen since C.S. Lewis. His words hasten you forward like a John Grisham novel, all the while offering a paradigm-setting historiography sure to impact generations to come. Much thanks to Wright- I highly await the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Must-read for any NT students
Review: No NT theologian has dared to tackle the gargantuan goals which N.T. Wright has set before him in his series, "Christian Origins and the Question of God." Wright's first volume, NTPG, is a fast-paced intro to the whole project, offering a fine picture of both first-century christianity and second-temple judaism. Wright's explanation of the continuiing exile for Jews during the first century A.D. has enormous implications for any NT scholar. Wright weds a scholarly depth rarely seen with a literary warmth not seen since C.S. Lewis. His words hasten you forward like a John Grisham novel, all the while offering a paradigm-setting historiography sure to impact generations to come. Much thanks to Wright- I highly await the rest of the series.
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