Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship

This is the first time I read a book by Wright, and I'm glad I listened to other Amazon reviewers and got a copy. It is basically an overview of several books of the bible, but it's not only a summary - it really makes you think about these books and why they were written and what they can mean in your life. Wright brings out key points and stories and makes them very "real" to the reader.

The chapters were actually adapted from sermons, so they have a very conversational feel and are easy to read. The small size of the book makes it less overwhelming than some books on these topics.

I am definitely going to read it again - I recommend it to anyone at any "stage" in their beliefs, from the new Christian to the well-versed theological reader.

Tom Wright, Anglican bishop in England, once again elucidates in a cogent but thoroughly readable style that only he can what it means to follow Jesus. If one is a sometime Christian who does not want to 'count the cost' of what it means to 'be Jesus' to a hurting world, you'd better avoid this book. In a world full of evangelists who promise 'what's in it for us' if we follow Jesus, Tom Wright challenges us to really take up the cross and follow the Lord. As a Southern Baptist, I can't think of another theologian, of whatever denomination, that is more challenging and encouraging than Tom Wright. Buy it, but be prepared to keep your marker handy.

"Following Jesus" I found to be truly life giving. Especially, the chapter, "The God who raises the dead." Being able to review the balance I was trying to maintain between my fears and my faith is something I will keep for the rest of my life. The overview of several New Testament books caused me to say, 'Ah-ha, so that is what that book is about'. A most helpful book for the Retreat Center Library I maintain.

Following Jesus is an anthology of twelve of N. T. (Tom) Wright's sermons delivered before 1994. In a clear, readily accessible form, his Biblical Reflections on Discipleship, first published by SPCK, are now available in an American edition. Wright is a fine writer. His style is bright and clear; he wears his learning modestly. In this collection of speeches, he explores the meaning of the "death of death" and the resurrection of Jesus. He seeks to understand more deeply what following Jesus means for us here and now. His sermons also provide a fine introduction to his more complex, dense scholarly works. Originally delivered from the pulpit, the twelve speeches have been arranged in two parts. The first part, entitled "Looking to Jesus," consists of sermons that unpack the basic meaning of six books in the New Testament (Hebrews, Colossians, Matthew, John, Mark, and Revelation) (pp. 3--62). The second part, entitled "A Living Sacrifice," consists of thematic sermons--for example, "Temptation" (pp. 83--89), "Hell" (pp. 91--98), and so forth. I suggest that the reader begin with the second part of this book.

In the sermon entitled "Heaven and Power" (pp. 99--105), Wright argues that it was "Jesus himself, no abstract principle but a human person," who was "exalted as the still loving, still giving, still generous Lord, to whom one day every knee shall bow, and whom we are today summoned to follow." He insists that we who are the children of God "should take our own part in implementing his victory, the victory of the power of love over the love of power, throughout his creation. Those who commit themselves to following the ascended Lord Jesus are thereby signing on for this task (pp. 104--5). Unfortunately, our age, much like the past, "is dying for power, and that is in fact dying of power" (p. 102). Wright sees the death and eventual ascension of Jesus as a sign that the power of love is stronger than the lust for power. He insists that the death and resurrection of Jesus was not a defeat but a victory over the "powers that be." Hence "the generous self-giving love of Jesus, giving himself for the sins of the world, has been vindicated and exalted as the supreme principle of the universe" (p. 104).

Even though there are areas where we might ultimately part company with Tom Wright, there are good reasons that Latter-day Saints should enjoy his works and also learn from him. The most obvious reason is that this respected English evangelical New Testament scholar, and also sometime Anglican churchman, has many of the same rhetorical and literary gifts that made C. S. Lewis a favorite among the Saints, including especially Elder Neal A. Maxwell. In addition, Wright eschews what can be called preacher prattle--that is, among other things, the notorious alones (faith alone, Bible alone, Jesus alone, and so forth) that lard contemporary American Fundamentalist/evangelical rhetoric.

Wright has also challenged the idea that one is justified (saved) by confessing Christ. This idea is considered the very heart of the Protestant Reformation and hence is the core of much American Fundamentalist/evangelical religiosity. He rejects the notion that God justifies the sinner by imputing righteousness to the still totally depraved one; no one is "saved" in sin. Instead, much like the teachings set forth in the Book of Mormon, Wright contends that through the work of the Holy Spirit, with the full attention and effort of the new disciple, a cleansing, purging sanctification must necessarily take place before the final judgment, at which time those who are sanctified from sin, and hence are genuine Saints, will be justified. We all must seek to follow Jesus in deed and not merely in word as we undergo the long, difficult, often painful process of rebirth. Much like Elder Maxwell, Wright is eager to comprehend what it means to be a genuine disciple of the Lord.

I highly recommend Following Jesus. It is a solid introduction to Wright's scholarship on the New Testament and related matters.

This is an anthology of 12 sermons given by NT Wright, focused on the Lenten season leading up to Easter. Each is a quick read, making this a good book for daily meditations or short studies. Wright is an engaging teacher and his sermons are interesting as well as entertaining, revealing valuable insights. This is a primer for his more dense, complex works, exploring the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection for Christian life in the modern age. The reader who enjoys reading Wright can get a sense, in this work, of what would be like to hear Wright from the pulpit.

This would be a good book to read during Lent.

This book, though brief, contains a treasure chest of Wright's knowledge on the life and significance of Jesus. In "Following Jesus", Wright seeks to answer the question, "Who exactly is this Jesus that we claim to follow?"

With the thought that many Christians might not know exactly who Jesus is, due to years of watered down religion, Wright uses different books of the Bible, along with personal scholarship, to extract who Jesus was and what that means to those who follow him.

A phenomenal read. Extremely enlightening and refreshing.

5stars

I enjoyed this small devotional book on following Jesus. Bishop Wright does a fantastic job of spoon feeding us deep theological concepts that will not confound seekers of the Truth- the Lord, Savior, King and Shepherd Jesus Christ.

However as with many books written about the Bible, I did not agree with everything mentioned. But Dr. Wrights understanding of Love in action, Holiness, the Resurrection, heaven, New Creation, New Earth and New Heaven etc., I agree.

The most important things people really need to know is how to become born again, to see and enter the Kingdom of God, to become a new creation. After believing in Jesus Christ- the Son of God(God manifested in Flesh) shed blood, death on the Cross for Sin, Burial and Resurrection from the dead the third day for our justification .
Then that which was done by Jesus need to be appropriated unto you. by Grace through Faith you need to Repent, get water Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (new covenant name) and be filled with the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of Speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance (God come to dwell in the temple of your body and heart). (Ref. John 3:3-5;1 Cor. 15:1-4;Ephesians 2:8; Acts 2:4,38-39, 10:43-46 and others.)

This is my first foray into N.T. Wright's literary discipleship. This is good written stimulus that will lead you to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. This collection of Eucharistic sermons expands from the passion of Christ to the revelation of the Father's plan for true discipleship. The language is easy to read and Dean Wright uses great words and pharases to lead us further along. N.T. Wright has become one of my must read theologians.

If your true desire is to follow Jesus, it will give you new realization found in the Gospel and unveil at times a deeper character and understanding....Pray with this, it will help you move toward the Throne of Wisdom and Love