New Releases by Tom Wright

Let Tom Wright help you make sense of the changes in social, economic and political culture that challenge Christians today. In a debate where even the language can be confusing (neo-gnosticism, neo-imperialism and postmodernity - and even faith terms like Trinitarian) Tom Wright helps ordinary Christians understand and respond to searching questions about key aspects of faith in our 21st century culture. Trying to make the gospel heard and understood in the modern world, he helps you to reconsider key aspects of the biblical story that reveal unexpected connections between ancient and contemporary world-views. The outcome of Tom’s criticism of common secular assumptions and their attempt to control the story of creation, power and truth - past and present, is a call for Christians to give fresh voice to God''s truth in today''s intellectual, social, economic and political arenas on a global and local community level. Tom Wright is the widely respected former bishop of Durham and current Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Andrews University. His many influential and readable examinations of applying faith to the world today include Simply Jesus, Simply Christian and How God Became King. Tom is also the editor of the ''For Everyone'' New Testament guides and commentary series. This book will become an essential guide for anyone looking to understand how they can make it known that the gospel is not only still relevant, but vital to the future of the modern world.

The mature summation of a lifetime''s study, this landmark book pays a rich tribute to the breadth and depth of the apostle''s vision, and offers an unparalleled wealth of detailed insights into his life, times, and enduring impact.

This helpful and collection of Tom Wright''s insights into the meaning and practice of prayer, gives you all the accessible wisdom of the various New Testament prayers explored in his individual ''For Everyone'' commentaries. This convenient yet compact collection of explorations includes his own thoughtful translations and meditations on all the major prayers of the New Testament. Reasons to add ''New Testament Prayers for Everyone'' to your collection: - Get Tom Wrights reliable, readable insights - Benefit from his own translation from the original manuscripts - Understand the key teachings of New Testament writers - Find how the hopes and fears of the early Church compare to today''s - Make yourself an expert in the earliest written Christian prayers - Find the through line from the apostles to your prayers today Tom Wright on ''The Lord''s Prayer'': "References to Jesus'' own practice of private prayer are scattered throughout the Gospels and clearly reflect an awareness on the part of his first followers that this kind of private prayer - not simply formulaic petitions, but wrestling with God over real issues and questions - formed the undercurrent of his life and public work. The prayer that Jesus gave his followers embodies his own prayer life and his wider kingdom ministry in every clause." There are many books about prayer, but this is the first by Tom Wright to cover all the key teachings and examples to be found in the New Testament.

N.T. Wright takes us on a fascinating journey through ancient beliefs about life after death, from the shadowy figures who inhabit Homer''s Hades, through Plato''s hope for a blessed immortality, to the first century, where the Greek and Roman world (apart from the Jews) consistently denied any possibility of resurrection. We then examine ancient Jewish beliefs on the same subject, from the Bible to the Dead Sea Scrolls and beyond. This sets the scene for a full-scale examination of early Christian beliefs about resurrection in general and that of Jesus in particular, beginning with Paul and working through to the start of the third century. Wright looks at all the evidence, and asks: Why did the Christians agree with Jewish resurrection belief while introducing into it - across the board - significant modifications? To answer this question we come to the strange and evocative Easter stories in the gospels and asks whether they can have been late inventions. Wright seeks the best historical conclusions about the empty tomb and the belief that Jesus really did rise bodily from the dead, recognizing that it was this belief that caused early Christians to call Jesus ''Son of God''. In doing so, they posed a political challenge as well as a theological one. These challenges retain their power in the twenty-first century.

In this highly anticipated volume, N. T. Wright focuses directly on the historical Jesus: Who was he? What did he say? And what did he mean by it? Wright begins by showing how the questions posed by Albert Schweitzer a century ago remain central today. Then he sketches a profile of Jesus in terms of his prophetic praxis, his subversive stories, the symbols by which he reordered his world, and the answers he gave to the key questions that any world view must address. The examination of Jesus'' aims and beliefs, argued on the basis of Jesus'' actions and their accompanying riddles, is sure to stimulate heated response. Wright offers a provocative portrait of Jesus as Israel''s Messiah who would share and bear the fate of the nation and would embody the long-promised return of Israel''s God to Zion.

''It has been slowly dawning on me over many years that there is a fundamental problem deep at the heart of Christian faith and practice as I have known them . . . we have all forgotten what the four Gospels are about.'' With that surprising assertion, Tom Wright launches this ground-breaking work in which he helps us to see the gospel story in radically a new light, and to acknowledge that, for many generations, the Church has been avoiding its full impact and holding back from proclaiming its full meaning. ''Classic Wright: clear, accessible, robust, engaging and challenging.'' Paula Gooder in Third Way ''Scholarly, accessible, insightful and provocative.'' Christianity ''Wright argues compellingly that the twin themes of kingdom and cross are inseparably linked. . . This is a much-needed reorientation. The book makes its case for ''rethinking'' cogently and deserves widespread attention.'' Theology

''I woke up in a cold sweat, knowing for a definite fact that death was a teenage girl and that she had been standing silently by my bed during the night...''Jim Beaudry, or Biscuit as he''s known, is a teenage boy trying to stay out of trouble. But trouble has a way of finding him. Especially after his cousin L.A. turns up on his doorstep. When one summer afternoon Biscuit and L.A. discover the body of a teenage girl in the Texas wilderness, an investigation begins that will put both of their lives in grave danger.

Paul has provoked people as much in recent times as he did when he was alive. Some regard him as a pestilent and dangerous fellow. Others think of him as the greatest teacher of Christianity after Jesus himself. In this book, leading theologian Tom Wright focuses on key areas of Paul''s teaching, helping us to understand what he was doing and saying. He sweeps away the confusion of much modern theology to uncover the real man and his message. What St Paul Really Said is a book for all who want to weigh the evidence before making up their minds on the vital questions surrounding Paul. Equally it is for those who want to know what his message might mean for us today.

Writing in an accessible and anecdotal style, Tom Wright opens up to us the wisdom of the letters of James, Peter, John and Judah (Jude). A vital resource for every church and every Christian, these letters are full of clear practical advice for Christians. Written for those new to the faith, they warn of the dangers and difficulties a young Christian community would face both within and without, while revelling in the delight of budding faith, hope and life. Today, these letters are just as relevant as they were two thousand years ago. They continue to help Christians to live with genuine faith in a complex modern age.

Virtue Reborn is the first in a series of three titles about Christian life in the modern world, which will build on the themes of Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope and be aimed at a similar market.

The guides in this series by Tom Wright can be used on their own or alongside his New Testament for Everyone commentaries. They are designed to help you understand the Bible in fresh ways under the guidance of one of the world''s leading New Testament scholars.

Writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright helps us see the great sweep of this letter. Romans has long been viewed as the book above all in which Paul puts forth the basic doctrines of the faith, and the picture of God''s life for us. It is the classic setting-out of the Gospel. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

In what has become known as the ''new perspective'' on Paul, Tom Wright has proposed a vision of the apostle''s central message that does full justice to all Paul''s letters. In particular, he focuses on the God-centred nature of Paul''s gospel, arguing that ''traditional'' readings of Paul can suggest that the apostle''s message is simply about us: our sin, our justification, our salvation. Ambitious in scope, yet closely argued, Justification: God''s Plan and Paul''s Vision suggests that this crucial understanding of the theology of St Paul, and thus of the gospel of Christ, is urgently needed as the Church faces the tasks of mission in a dangerous world. "This is definitely one of the most exciting and significant books that I have read this year. Like all of the author''s work, I found it hard to set down once I had started to read it. Strongly commended!" Professor I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen

In this book, the author discusses the Lord''s Prayer phrase by phrase. He shows how understanding the prayer in its original setting can be the starting point to rekindle spirituality and a life of prayer. With his vast knowledge of the prayer''s historical background, the author clarifies things which help to broaden our view of the world at that time.

Writing in an accessible and anecdotal style, Tom Wright helps us to approach the rich and many-sided story of the book of Acts. Wright shows how the book builds on Luke''s gospel, laying out the continuing work and teaching of the now risen and ascended Jesus in the power of the Spirit. His writing captures the vivid way in which Luke''s work draws us all into the story, while leaving the ending open and challenging, inviting Christians today to pick up and carry on the story as we in turn live our lives in the service of Jesus. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion, with background information, useful interpretation and explanation, and thoughts as to how it can be relevant to our lives today. No knowledge of technical jargon is required. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for personal or group use. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

Writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright helps us to see the pastoral nature of these letters. Paul is anxious to see that those who profess the faith should allow the gospel to transform the whole of their lives, right down to the deepest part of their personality, and is concerned that every teacher of the faith should know how to build up the community in mutual support, rather than tearing it apart through the wrong sort of teaching and behavior. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright manages to unravel the great complexity of this extraordinary gospel. He describes it as ''one of the great books in the literature of the world; and part of its greatness is the way it reveals its secrets not just to high-flown learning, but to those who come to it with humility and hope''. Wright''s stimulating comments are combined with his own translation of the Bible text. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information. The series is suitable for personal or group use. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

Tom Wright''s eye-opening comments on these letters are combined, passage by passage, with his new translation of the Bible text. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the tension and excitement of the time as the letters seek to assert Paul''s authority and his teaching against other influences. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion, with background information, useful interpretation and explanation, and thoughts as to how it can be relevant to our lives today. No knowledge of technical jargon is required. The series is suitable for personal or group use. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

Tom Wright has completed a tremendous task: to provide comprehensive guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the urgency and excitement of Matthew''s Gospel in a way few writers have. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable commentary with helpful background information. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

A renowned Bible scholar, Tom Wright, opens up the message and meaning of the gospel of Matthew for today''s readers. He guides the reader through the world of the New Testament. Breaking down the gospel of Matthew into brief, easy-to-study segments, Wright shows how the message of this ancient book speaks powerfully to the spiritual longings of contemporary readers. New Christians and longtime followers of Jesus alike will find inspiration and practical wisdom for their journey within these pages. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the immediacy of Matthew''s gospel in a way few writers have. Tom Wright''s own translation of the Gospel of Matthew is combined, section by section, with useful explanation and interpretation of the passage, as well as thoughts as to how it can be relevant to our lives today.The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

Tom Wright''s guide to Luke, which includes a wealth of information and background detail, provides real insights for our understanding of the story of Jesus and its implications for the reader. His clear style is accessible to new readers of the Bible, as well as to those who are further on. His exciting new translation brings to life, passage by passage, the immediacy and drama of Luke''s gospel. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

Tom Wright has completed a tremendous task: to provide comprehensive guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable commentary with helpful background information. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study. Tom Wright''s eye-opening comments on the gospel and what it might mean for us are combined, passage by passage, with his own fresh and involving translation. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the urgency and excitement of Mark''s gospel in a way few writers have.