Scripture and the Authority of God - Softcover

Wright, Tom

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0281057222 ISBN 13: 9780281057221

Publisher: SPCK Publishing, 2005

Synopsis

Lively & topical overview of the issues involved when the authority of scripture is cited or called into question An account of how the church does, and should, understand the authority of scripture - how do we read the Bible, how does our understanding change over time, who has power to change or challenge what the church believes, how do we balance the claims of the Bible against those of Christian tradition and of personal discernment? This is particularly topical at the moment especially when questions of authority and schism are live issues.

About this title

Review:

"Written by one of the leading Christian thinkers in the world today, this book is a refreshing and accessible resource concerning the perennial question of biblical authority that moves the discussion beyond the liberal-conservative impasse of our times. Highly Recommended."--John R. Franke, Professor of Theology, Biblical Theological Seminary

"The best book of its kind available."--The Christian Century

"N. T. Wright opens for us a path beyond of the paralyzing polarization of "liberal" and "conservative."--Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christian

"In a fashion that is both old fashioned and new fangled at the same time Bishop Wright takes us through a sane and helpful study of what it means to treat the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. Highly Recommended!"--Ben Witherington, author of The Brother of Jesus

"[P]robing, provocative, insightful...This is a book of uncommon wisdom for all who read and love the Bible."--Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and Executive Editor of Christianity Today

"This wide-ranging whirlwind-tour account of Scripture channeling God's authority, with its tweaking of distortions back into shape and its first-class approach to Bible study, is masterly throughout."--J. I Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College

"Wright offers sensible insights on the transforming power of God, very necessary in these times of skepticism and confusion."--Publishers Weekly

"Scripture and the Authority of God is a fabulous book. With characteristic verve and occasionally pungent grace... Scripture and the Authority of God could be the beginning of a more faithful listening, as well as sustaining more fruitful conversation about the nature of biblical interpretation."--Books&Culture

"Wright appeals to the reader to take another look at the Bible, not as an isolated phenomenon--a veritable rule book similarly applicable at all times and in all places--but rather as a book better placed within both the contemporary cultural context and as part of a larger tradition of interpretation."--Explorefaith.org

"Wright is a provocative theologian... there is so much here that you will wish that it were longer-- but its brevity makes for easy reading and it certainly deserves to be read."--Church of England Newspaper

From the Back Cover:

"But what does scripture say?"

That question has echoed through a thousand debates in the life of the worldwide church. All churches have officially endorsed strong statements about the centrality of scripture and its authority in their mission, life, doctrine, and discipline. But there is no agreement on what this might mean or how it might work in practice. Individuals and churches struggle with how to respond to issues such as war, homosexuality, and abortion, and especially how to interpret biblical passages that discuss these topics. These disagreements often serve to undermine our confidence in the authority of the Bible.

Bishop and Bible scholar N. T. Wright delivers a new model for how to understand the place of scripture and God's authority in the midst of religious confusion. Wright gives new life to the old, tattered doctrine of the authority of scripture, delivering a fresh, helpful, and concise statement on how to read the Bible today, restoring scripture as a place to find God's voice.

In this revised and expanded edition of the previously titled book The Last Word, Wright provides two case studies that delve into what it means to keep Sabbath and how Christians can defend marital monogamy. These studies offer not only bold biblical insights but also showcase Wright's new model for how to interpret scripture and restore its role as the church's main resource for teaching and guidance. Removing the baggage that the last 100 years of controversy and confusion have placed on this doctrine, Wright renews our confidence in the Bible and shows how it can once again serve as the living Word of God for our lives.

About this edition

• Publisher: SPCK Publishing
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0281057222
• ISBN 13: 9780281057221
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 112