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Simply Jesus - Who He Was, What He Did, Why it Matters
Book by Wright, Tom
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2011
43 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Tom Wright
119 books237 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He also publishes under N.T. Wright.
He also publishes under N.T. Wright.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 2, 2024
I feel like this is the archetypal NT Wright book - it contains all the elements that make up most of his work:
1.) Some absolute gold - particularly (a) his grasp of the overall thrust of the Old Testament story and the historical context of Jesus’ time and (b) his ability to weave together the Kingdom and the Cross in a way that most people struggle to do well.
2.) Some moments where it feels like you’re seeing scripture for the first time - his chapters on Jesus as a Messiah in the wake of Simon the Star and Judah the Hammer have completely refreshed my understanding of Messianic vocation. Likewise, his articulation of Jesus as the place where heaven and earth meet really opened my eyes.
3.) Some big old straw men - like a lot of his other books, Tom spends a lot of time tackling a lot of views that are probably very common in the pews (e.g. Christianity is about “going to heaven when you die” or “heaven is up in the clouds”) that I rdon’t know are actually that common amongst most good theologians any more…
4.) A horribly challenging writing style - one reviewer here described it as like he just dictated it as one long voice note which I think is a great description. Despite the title, this book is hardly “simple” and I would not recommend to anyone new to reading theology given that it is not the easiest to read. Meandering is the best word to describe how this book is written.
If someone could take all of Tom’s books and reorganise the writing into a much clearer paragraphs with clean headings, sub-headings and maybe even some diagrams (see Mark Sayers who is the best at this), then that would benefit a vast number of people who are probably put off by the dense and “rabbit-warreny” feel to his books.
1.) Some absolute gold - particularly (a) his grasp of the overall thrust of the Old Testament story and the historical context of Jesus’ time and (b) his ability to weave together the Kingdom and the Cross in a way that most people struggle to do well.
2.) Some moments where it feels like you’re seeing scripture for the first time - his chapters on Jesus as a Messiah in the wake of Simon the Star and Judah the Hammer have completely refreshed my understanding of Messianic vocation. Likewise, his articulation of Jesus as the place where heaven and earth meet really opened my eyes.
3.) Some big old straw men - like a lot of his other books, Tom spends a lot of time tackling a lot of views that are probably very common in the pews (e.g. Christianity is about “going to heaven when you die” or “heaven is up in the clouds”) that I rdon’t know are actually that common amongst most good theologians any more…
4.) A horribly challenging writing style - one reviewer here described it as like he just dictated it as one long voice note which I think is a great description. Despite the title, this book is hardly “simple” and I would not recommend to anyone new to reading theology given that it is not the easiest to read. Meandering is the best word to describe how this book is written.
If someone could take all of Tom’s books and reorganise the writing into a much clearer paragraphs with clean headings, sub-headings and maybe even some diagrams (see Mark Sayers who is the best at this), then that would benefit a vast number of people who are probably put off by the dense and “rabbit-warreny” feel to his books.
January 13, 2013
Tom Wright aims to put context around the time of Jesus. The political situation, the expectations of the Jewish people, the Roman empire and the other characters exalted as messiahs. There is a lot of very useful perspective here to help frame our understanding of what Jesus said and did, rather than simply reading the bible narrative from a 21st century perspective.
I did find it hard going in places though. The 'perfect storm' analogy was overused, and there are assumptions made in a few places that aren't explained. It was an interesting read though and a challenge to re-think the message in some of what Jesus said.
I did find it hard going in places though. The 'perfect storm' analogy was overused, and there are assumptions made in a few places that aren't explained. It was an interesting read though and a challenge to re-think the message in some of what Jesus said.
February 24, 2023
Simply wordy
This book reads like it was dictated into an, er, dictaphone or similar and then transcribed. It could really have done with some editing to avoid the wordiness. As perhaps Tom Wright would say: "But does this matter? After all, words are words - whether spoken directly to another human being or transcribed on to a page via a laptop, PC, dictation device or any of the other myriad devices we now have at our disposal. In one sense, of course, no it does not matter; for my content - both theologically and illustratively - is excellent and recognised as such both widely and diversity across the world by many people, whether academics or lay people. But on the other hand, yes, perhaps undue wordiness or verbosity may matter, since whether the reader (or listener, in these wonderful days of audio books) may find their understanding --- their comprehension, if you like --- of the text impaired or hampered by the use of six, or maybe even seven or eight, words (perhaps still more!) where simply two or three, certainly fewer, depending on the context, might actually aid or help the person seeking to engage, grapple with or quite simply just read the book. We will return to this later......"
This book reads like it was dictated into an, er, dictaphone or similar and then transcribed. It could really have done with some editing to avoid the wordiness. As perhaps Tom Wright would say: "But does this matter? After all, words are words - whether spoken directly to another human being or transcribed on to a page via a laptop, PC, dictation device or any of the other myriad devices we now have at our disposal. In one sense, of course, no it does not matter; for my content - both theologically and illustratively - is excellent and recognised as such both widely and diversity across the world by many people, whether academics or lay people. But on the other hand, yes, perhaps undue wordiness or verbosity may matter, since whether the reader (or listener, in these wonderful days of audio books) may find their understanding --- their comprehension, if you like --- of the text impaired or hampered by the use of six, or maybe even seven or eight, words (perhaps still more!) where simply two or three, certainly fewer, depending on the context, might actually aid or help the person seeking to engage, grapple with or quite simply just read the book. We will return to this later......"
March 7, 2021
(Lent reading 2021 #2)
In general, it was an interesting book with a wide historical context of Jesus' time and how the World was viewed by Jews and people in that era. This seemed to enforce the key elements of the gospel. The book also touched constantly the concepts of heaven and earth, and how interconnected they are.
The written of the book was quite heavy sometimes and light in other parts. It felt a bit as the author wasn't sure what the tone of the book was. Out of the three parts, the first one felt hard as a brick, while the following two were more accessible [one of the reasons it took me so long to read it].
In general, it was an interesting book with a wide historical context of Jesus' time and how the World was viewed by Jews and people in that era. This seemed to enforce the key elements of the gospel. The book also touched constantly the concepts of heaven and earth, and how interconnected they are.
The written of the book was quite heavy sometimes and light in other parts. It felt a bit as the author wasn't sure what the tone of the book was. Out of the three parts, the first one felt hard as a brick, while the following two were more accessible [one of the reasons it took me so long to read it].
June 9, 2023
I have some Lent day-by-day books by Tom Wright and he seems so knowledgeable and explains faith so well that I thought I would try a full book. Now this got a bit bogged down for me and some of the storm analogies got a bit overdone. I preferred the more historical analysis that I have read previously. That said, the book does reach conclusions that I will try to consider and reconcile with my own faith systems and I feel I have learned a bit more.
July 7, 2020
Hearing about the Kingdom of God with so much colour is such a treat. Wright filled in how Jesus would have been received by the Jewish imagination and the Roman political landscape and how he carried the banner of God's advancing kingdom. Much of the information was familiar but Tom Wright explains with clarity and colour that are recognizably his own.
July 15, 2025
There are moments of brilliance in this book but I admit to not being totally present or mindful through most of this. And the disjointed way I read it didn't help either. I think Tom is propositioning good and thoughtful questions and challenges.
February 2, 2018
Tom Wright knows his stuff regarding Christian theology so this book was a great read. Wright discusses the core of what the person of Jesus should mean to every Christian.
September 26, 2018
A thought provoking and challenging read. I would give this 6 stars if I could.
December 14, 2018
Fascinating
A truly fascinating book that keeps you engaged throughout. Well written and easy to read. Well argued and put together.
A truly fascinating book that keeps you engaged throughout. Well written and easy to read. Well argued and put together.
April 17, 2019
Simply Good
This book has given me a greater understanding and insight into the Gospels and Jesus's intentions for us and His message.
This book has given me a greater understanding and insight into the Gospels and Jesus's intentions for us and His message.
February 2, 2021
Outstanding
This is an outstanding book. NT Wright has made a dense, theologically complex discussion, readable and utterly fascinating. I highly recommend it.
This is an outstanding book. NT Wright has made a dense, theologically complex discussion, readable and utterly fascinating. I highly recommend it.
January 4, 2015
I do have a couple of qu's for Tom...like what does he mean by "The Church" when he says that God is working through them? And also, why does he give me what looks suspiciously like an argument from ignorance fairly early on regarding the possibility of Jesus having a family of his own? Not that it bothers me much if he did or he didn't really, but I don't see the need for a hasty dismissal of the idea. Otherwise, it was, although a bit 'Bible Study Group' for my liking...really it was just what I needed today, and very helpful. Thanks to my dear friend Christine Coleman for recommending it, and I shall read more of Tom Wright!
August 21, 2015
Well written book summing up who Jesus was, what He did and why it matters. Highly recommended for those looking to broaden their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ in the context of 1st century Judaism 13th book I read of Frank Violas top 100.
September 5, 2015
Excellent
Read
February 8, 2023I gave this up as I found it irrelevant, uninteresting and hard to focus on.
August 18, 2014
Always well worth reading. I always feel encouraged.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews