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166 reviews for:
Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church
N.T. Wright
4.33 AVERAGE
166 reviews for:
Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church
N.T. Wright
4.33 AVERAGE
If you're looking to pick a fight with N. T. Wright, look elsewhere. This is my first N. T. Wright read, but from what I can gather this book seems to be either a more accessible summary of his previous works, or at least built firmly on those foundational texts. The first half is full of the phrases "which I have argued at length elsewhere" or "see my [previous book]," which I imagine could annoy the crap out of anyone looking to debunk his ideas.
I struggled with the 5-star rating, wondering whether my feelings for this book have become tangled up with my personal life, and how it’s been affected by the ideas and questions in this book. Which raises an interesting question: do I rate or appreciate books based on which ideas and questions it raises, or on how well or succinctly or prettily it raises those ideas and questions? I hope my appreciation of art or literature or culture or theology isn’t as reductive as I’m making it sound.
Anyway, this book wasn't quite as revolutionary to me as it might have been a few years ago, but that seems mostly due to how much its ideas (which aren't new, by the way) have trickled down through (or been brazenly proclaimed by) others. I mean for instance Calvin College's Ken Hefner, who began the most transforming lecture I've ever heard (on art and culture, and why God cares about it) with an indictment of Rapture Theology and an introduction (for much of the audience) to Kingdom Theology.
I said “that seems mostly due to how much its ideas have…” because I honestly don’t know much context. My theology has been shaped by many incredible, brilliant pastors and people I’m blessed to have known in my short life, but I must admit an ignorance of much theology writing. Outside of C.S. Lewis and several stray works, I can’t admit many theoogy books I’ve completed.
So I recognize that Wright hasn’t single-handedly revitalized the incredible significance of the Resurrection, the present renewal of creation, and the future marriage of the new heavens and the new earth, but what he does is wonderfully explain and make the reader care about monumental ideas, many of which stand in stark contrast to what we 21st-century Westerners are familiar with. I must exclude his one chapter on Justification, which confused the crap out of me. That’s a whole other story though.
While much of what he says bears repeating, the book suffers slightly from its repetition, which is perhaps a symptom of Publisher’s Minimum. It never got frustrating, distracting, or tedious for me though; it’s more a matter of some fat that could be trimmed. All in all, Surprised by Hope is one of the most important books I’ve ever read.
I struggled with the 5-star rating, wondering whether my feelings for this book have become tangled up with my personal life, and how it’s been affected by the ideas and questions in this book. Which raises an interesting question: do I rate or appreciate books based on which ideas and questions it raises, or on how well or succinctly or prettily it raises those ideas and questions? I hope my appreciation of art or literature or culture or theology isn’t as reductive as I’m making it sound.
Anyway, this book wasn't quite as revolutionary to me as it might have been a few years ago, but that seems mostly due to how much its ideas (which aren't new, by the way) have trickled down through (or been brazenly proclaimed by) others. I mean for instance Calvin College's Ken Hefner, who began the most transforming lecture I've ever heard (on art and culture, and why God cares about it) with an indictment of Rapture Theology and an introduction (for much of the audience) to Kingdom Theology.
I said “that seems mostly due to how much its ideas have…” because I honestly don’t know much context. My theology has been shaped by many incredible, brilliant pastors and people I’m blessed to have known in my short life, but I must admit an ignorance of much theology writing. Outside of C.S. Lewis and several stray works, I can’t admit many theoogy books I’ve completed.
So I recognize that Wright hasn’t single-handedly revitalized the incredible significance of the Resurrection, the present renewal of creation, and the future marriage of the new heavens and the new earth, but what he does is wonderfully explain and make the reader care about monumental ideas, many of which stand in stark contrast to what we 21st-century Westerners are familiar with. I must exclude his one chapter on Justification, which confused the crap out of me. That’s a whole other story though.
While much of what he says bears repeating, the book suffers slightly from its repetition, which is perhaps a symptom of Publisher’s Minimum. It never got frustrating, distracting, or tedious for me though; it’s more a matter of some fat that could be trimmed. All in all, Surprised by Hope is one of the most important books I’ve ever read.
N.T. Wright is a great speaker, but a very tedious writer. I found it difficult to finish because it did not keep my attention. His theology is very interesting which is why I mustered through it.
I respect and admire the research and depth of clarity that Wright has used to bring this book to completion. I was inspired in a few small sections to rethink and reframe my language around heaven, hell, resurrection and more. However, I am disappointed in the writing style. The lecture mode of the the writing is tiresome and I lost count of how many times he wrote about what he was ‘trying to convey’ rather than just conveying it. Also too numerous to count are the spots that he ‘couldn’t go into more depth on’ for this or that or the other thing. I grew frustrated with all of the extra words around the words. Important content. Tiresome style. I was definitely going to give it only three stars and then... that glorious last chapter and the hilarious (but deadly serious) sermon dictated at the end... and I had to give it an extra star for making me close my book and stare at the wall and think for a long, long time.
I really enjoyed this one, even though I am already an NT Wright fan.
My few hesitations here (like his incessant condemnation of dualism which eventually makes him sound like a dualist himself) are far outweighed by the positives this book has to offer most readers. In particular, this is his book I think American Christian readers could most benefit from, as his Anglican slants offer a consistent corrective to some of what we've gotten ourselves into on this side of the pond. Surprised by Hope occupies the middle ground between his scholarly tomes and his popular level books, making this a perfect blend of substance and accessibility. He covers seemingly every sub-theme of Christianity through the single, focused lens of resurrection in a non cheesy or forced way, which is a remarkable feat. Apparently, the resurrection is important.
One of the most compelling presentations of Christianity I've ever read
This is at the top of my list of the most important books for the church written in our generation
This is the best book I’ve read. Full review coming…
Well I think I already need to read this again. But this was fantastic. I was underlining almost every other paragraph it seemed! Well- researched and did give me “hope”!
Wright has outdone himself in this one with his EXTRAORDINARY case for what Christ's resurrection implies about our present (and future) world. Provocative and dense in places, but worth putting the time & thought into. Wright has constructed a necessary book for every Christian. It is one I will continue to reference throughout my Christian life. My only regret is not having read it sooner!