The Last Word by N.T. Wright

The Bottom Line

The Last Word by N.T. Wright is a short, easily readable book summarizing many of the contemporary controversies about the authority of Scripture. Among the contentions are what he calls the "Bible wars" in which pastors, scholars, and even lay people use name-calling and guilt by association to draw party lines, and in doing so, ignore the real issues of the authority of God working through Scripture.

Wright proposes that we go deeper. To do so, most of the book is a historical outline of how Scripture was approached in each era of Christian history up to the present. As Wright brings us into our current time, he suggests ways we can get back on track with our approach to Scripture.

Pros

• Very short, but insightful.
• A good introduction to a deep subject.
• Takes both scholarly and devotional readings of Scripture seriously.
• Historical background illuminates contemporary controversies.

Cons

• Some jargon, makes it a challenging read for some.
• Not a good book for very new Christians.

Description

• Genre: Biblical Interpretation, Hermeneutics
• Release Date: November 2006
• Author: N.T. Wright
• Publisher: Harper San Francisco
• ISBN: 978-0-06-087261-8
• Format: Paperback, 146 Pages

The Last Word is a great tract of the times of biblical interpretation. It is an excellent introduction to an important subject. With an eye for history, Wright is able to explain the controversies of the present.

Wright begins by stating a few of the problems and questions that face Christianity and the Bible. How was Scripture regarded in the first 1500 years of Christianity? What changed during the Reformation and what are the consequences? What is the role of devotional reading of the Bible and scholarly reading of Scripture? What role has philosophy played in shaping our view of the Bible and how do Christians respond to it? The questions could go on and on, but one of the most important is: how do we best understand biblical authority?

The books starts with a historical survey of ancient Israel and how the people of the New Testament viewed the Scriptures. Their understanding of the world influenced how Jesus communicated his message and how he was received. Wright then moves on to the early church. After a long section on the early church and the middle ages, Wright also covers the Reformation period.

Debates about the Bible were many. For instance, what role does tradition play in understanding the Bible? The Puritans had one answer, the Lutherans another, and the Wesleyans a third. How about reason? Should we drop it altogether, or is that overly reactionary to the philosophical theology of the Middle Ages? Many of these debates still echo today in one form or another. These problems became even more complicated once the Enlightenment came around. Christianity today still struggles with its relationship to a world shaped by the events of eighteenth century Europe and the United States.

After his historical survey, Wright points us in the right direction. He dedicates a chapter to common ways that both "liberals" and "conservatives" mis-read the Bible. He then tells us how Scripture should be read. He reminds Christians of the church's original mission. He further admonishes us to pay attention and make room for tradition. He also wants us to be aware of the role reason (small "r") and wider spheres of knowledge play in our readings of Scripture. He emphasizes the importance of devotional readings of the Bible.

Is this book for you? I think it depends. If you have been a Christian for a good amount of time, have attended Bible studies, and understand the basics, then this book is for you. If you are a lay-leader (worship leader, camp counselor, Bible study leader), then this book is even more important for you. The issues are not merely ivory tower debates, but have real consequences in the Christian life.

On the other hand, if you are someone who is reading the Gospels for the first time or are otherwise new to Christianity, than this book can wait awhile. The author assumes readers are already familiar with the Bible. If you read The Last Word before finishing the New Testament, it will likely prove more frustrating than illuminating.

There's my review. I hope you enjoy this little book.

_{Joel Gonzaga earned a BA in Theology and is reluctantly labeled "Christian Hipster." His blog can be found at http://SomeKindofChristian.blogspot.com.}