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For All God's Worth: True Worship and the Calling of the Church
This book by N. T. Wright explores both the meaning and the results of Christian worship. Part 1, "The God Who Is Worthy of Praise," focuses on what worshiping God actually means. Wright celebrates the greatness and beauty of God as the ground and reason for worship and shows how reflection on who God is leads us to true, heartfelt worship (from "worth-ship"), as we seek to give God all he's worth.
Part 2, "Reflecting God's Image in the World," addresses a range of issues that flow from the activity of worship. Since worship can never remain isolated from the task of the church, Wright here explores how true worship leads to the mission of the church in various specific ways.
Part 2, "Reflecting God's Image in the World," addresses a range of issues that flow from the activity of worship. Since worship can never remain isolated from the task of the church, Wright here explores how true worship leads to the mission of the church in various specific ways.
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
87 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
N.T. Wright
460 books2,864 followersN. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England (2003-2010) and one of the world's leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. He has been featured on ABC News, Dateline NBC, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air, and he has taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford universities. Wright is the award-winning author of Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, The Last Word, The Challenge of Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus (coauthored with Marcus Borg), as well as the much heralded series Christian Origins and the Question of God.
He also publishes under Tom Wright.
He also publishes under Tom Wright.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 9, 2016
I'd heard a lot about Tom Wright (Bishop of Durham) but this book really disappointed me in three ways
1. I found the first half of it very difficult to engage with, and felt like I was running in water.
2. The second half was incredibly illogical in theme. He writes about Sung Worship, calls for an end to denominationalism, our Jewish heritage and a revolutionary Jesus. Decent chapters in their own right, but they had no thread to bind them whatsoever
3. There are calls to action (notably on church unity and social action in the last chapter which is quite good) but nothing to back it up. No programme of action, no practical tips, not even any personal experiences. It smacks of a man who wants to see the world change, but wants to see other people change it. He could have gone a lot further here, and in my opinion allows the reader to get off the hook by simply agreeing that things need to change, without being challenged as to their role in that.
1. I found the first half of it very difficult to engage with, and felt like I was running in water.
2. The second half was incredibly illogical in theme. He writes about Sung Worship, calls for an end to denominationalism, our Jewish heritage and a revolutionary Jesus. Decent chapters in their own right, but they had no thread to bind them whatsoever
3. There are calls to action (notably on church unity and social action in the last chapter which is quite good) but nothing to back it up. No programme of action, no practical tips, not even any personal experiences. It smacks of a man who wants to see the world change, but wants to see other people change it. He could have gone a lot further here, and in my opinion allows the reader to get off the hook by simply agreeing that things need to change, without being challenged as to their role in that.
July 21, 2022
What a disappointment. Wright is an eloquent, thoughtful writer; this book, however, is anything but. It is messy, disorganized, and without theme. It certainly doesn’t deliver on its promise to focus on worship. As others have ventured to guess, I believe this is a compilation of sermons and addresses he has given. If you’re looking for a solid book on God and worship, look elsewhere
October 23, 2021
This is one of Wright's best books and branches out a bit from his standard talking points. It offers a compelling vision of the church, worship, and sacrament, and concludes with a thoughtful reflection on what it means to live and work as a Christian.
July 30, 2017
There is not, I believe, a book in my library so marked and underlined as this short, but powerful book by N.T. Wright. The third time through has been the most fruitful yet.
May 5, 2020
First time reading NT Wright. I recommend this book to anyone especially worship leaders at your church. Does a good job of focusing our attention on who God is any why He is worthy of worship even spending time on the great builders of the past who dedicated great (according to man) buildings in honor of God. Was worried this author might be too intellectual for me but found his writing pleasant and informative. Not a long book so spend a few days reading about “True Worship”
October 8, 2018
I have read a few books by N.T. Wright, enough so that when I saw a book by Wright in a collection of used books available for the taking, I was quick to take it, without really checking to see what it was about. The introduction convinced me that it had been a good choice.
It is not, however, a book on worship in the way I had expected it to be. It appears to be a collection of sermons, or at any rate chapters that had started out as sermons and were edited for use in the book, so there is not the sense of continuity and building of ideas towards a clear goal that I had expected.
Each chapter is good, however, with lots to think about and reflect on.
It is not, however, a book on worship in the way I had expected it to be. It appears to be a collection of sermons, or at any rate chapters that had started out as sermons and were edited for use in the book, so there is not the sense of continuity and building of ideas towards a clear goal that I had expected.
Each chapter is good, however, with lots to think about and reflect on.
September 15, 2020
When I started this book, I wasn't really able to follow through with the author and I put it down for a bit. Then I decided to read one chapter a day and I managed to get through the first chapters and ended up actually learning lots of stuff from it.
I loved the way Wright explained some important parts from the Bible.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in theology and not only, it ain't that hard to understand nor does it have rough words or something, it is accessible for almost everyone.
I loved the way Wright explained some important parts from the Bible.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in theology and not only, it ain't that hard to understand nor does it have rough words or something, it is accessible for almost everyone.
April 30, 2022
By way of review at this point, I think the best I can do is to share some excerpts (from pp. 6-11):
“Though we sing with the tongues of men and of angels, if we are not truly worshipping the living God, we are noisy gongs and clanging cymbals. Though we organize the liturgy most beautifully, if it does not enable us to worship the living God, we are mere ballet-dancers. Though we repave the floor and reface the stonework, though we balance our budgets and attract all the tourists, if we are not worshipping God, we are nothing.
“Worship is humble and glad; worship forgets itself in remembering God; worship celebrates the truth as God’s truth, not its own. True worship doesn’t put on a show or make a fuss; true worship isn’t forced, isn’t half-hearted, doesn’t keep looking at its watch, doesn’t worry what the person in the next pew may be doing. True worship is open to God, adoring God, waiting for God, trusting God even in the dark.
“Worship will never end; whether there be buildings, they will crumble; whether there be committees, they will fall asleep; whether there be budgets, they will add up to nothing. For we build for the present age, we discuss for the present age, and we pay for the present age; but when the age to come is here, the present age will be done away. For now we see the beauty of God through a glass, darkly, but then face to face; now we appreciate only part, but then we shall affirm and appreciate God, even as the living God has affirmed and appreciated us. So now our tasks are worship, mission and management, these three; but the greatest of these is worship.
“…Worship is nothing more nor less than love on its knees before the beloved; just as mission is love on its feet to serve the beloved — and just as the Eucharist, as the climax of worship, is love embracing the beloved and so being strengthened for service.
“…If your idea of God, if your idea of the salvation offered in Christ, is vague or remote, your idea of worship will be fuzzy and ill-formed. The closer you get to the truth, the clearer becomes the beauty, and the more you will find worship welling up within you. That’s why theology and worship belong together. The one isn’t just a head-trip; the other isn’t just emotion.…
“The beauty of God is the beauty of love; love in creation, love in re-creation of a world spoiled by sin. It is the same love; which is why all the beauty of the world, the beauty that calls forth our admiration, our gratitude, our worth-ship at the earthly level, is meant as a set of hints, of conspiratorial whispers, of clues and suggestions and flickers of light, all nudging us into believing that behind the beautiful world is not random chance but the loving God. He who made the eye, does he not see? He who made the ear, does he not hear? He who created all beauty, is he not himself beautiful? Woe betide those who offer to the creature the worship due to the creator alone; but woe betide those who fail to read the hints, who fail to hear the subtext, who have the experience but miss the meaning, who are deaf to what may be heard, half-heard, in the stillness between two waves of the sea.…
“People often quote Oscar Wilde’s dictum, that a cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. We live in an age of cynics, where ‘worth’ means ‘price’ and ‘price’ means money and money means power. But the gospel of Jesus Christ puts worth back into the world, worth beyond price, worth beyond worldly power; for the gospel of Jesus Christ summons us to worship, to worth-ship, to lay our lives before the one true and living God, to worship him for all he’s worth. Give to this great and loving God the honour, the worship, the love, due to him; celebrate the goodness, the worth, the true value, of the created order, as his gift, his handiwork; and allow that celebration to lift your eyes once more to God himself, to his glory and beauty.”
“Though we sing with the tongues of men and of angels, if we are not truly worshipping the living God, we are noisy gongs and clanging cymbals. Though we organize the liturgy most beautifully, if it does not enable us to worship the living God, we are mere ballet-dancers. Though we repave the floor and reface the stonework, though we balance our budgets and attract all the tourists, if we are not worshipping God, we are nothing.
“Worship is humble and glad; worship forgets itself in remembering God; worship celebrates the truth as God’s truth, not its own. True worship doesn’t put on a show or make a fuss; true worship isn’t forced, isn’t half-hearted, doesn’t keep looking at its watch, doesn’t worry what the person in the next pew may be doing. True worship is open to God, adoring God, waiting for God, trusting God even in the dark.
“Worship will never end; whether there be buildings, they will crumble; whether there be committees, they will fall asleep; whether there be budgets, they will add up to nothing. For we build for the present age, we discuss for the present age, and we pay for the present age; but when the age to come is here, the present age will be done away. For now we see the beauty of God through a glass, darkly, but then face to face; now we appreciate only part, but then we shall affirm and appreciate God, even as the living God has affirmed and appreciated us. So now our tasks are worship, mission and management, these three; but the greatest of these is worship.
“…Worship is nothing more nor less than love on its knees before the beloved; just as mission is love on its feet to serve the beloved — and just as the Eucharist, as the climax of worship, is love embracing the beloved and so being strengthened for service.
“…If your idea of God, if your idea of the salvation offered in Christ, is vague or remote, your idea of worship will be fuzzy and ill-formed. The closer you get to the truth, the clearer becomes the beauty, and the more you will find worship welling up within you. That’s why theology and worship belong together. The one isn’t just a head-trip; the other isn’t just emotion.…
“The beauty of God is the beauty of love; love in creation, love in re-creation of a world spoiled by sin. It is the same love; which is why all the beauty of the world, the beauty that calls forth our admiration, our gratitude, our worth-ship at the earthly level, is meant as a set of hints, of conspiratorial whispers, of clues and suggestions and flickers of light, all nudging us into believing that behind the beautiful world is not random chance but the loving God. He who made the eye, does he not see? He who made the ear, does he not hear? He who created all beauty, is he not himself beautiful? Woe betide those who offer to the creature the worship due to the creator alone; but woe betide those who fail to read the hints, who fail to hear the subtext, who have the experience but miss the meaning, who are deaf to what may be heard, half-heard, in the stillness between two waves of the sea.…
“People often quote Oscar Wilde’s dictum, that a cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. We live in an age of cynics, where ‘worth’ means ‘price’ and ‘price’ means money and money means power. But the gospel of Jesus Christ puts worth back into the world, worth beyond price, worth beyond worldly power; for the gospel of Jesus Christ summons us to worship, to worth-ship, to lay our lives before the one true and living God, to worship him for all he’s worth. Give to this great and loving God the honour, the worship, the love, due to him; celebrate the goodness, the worth, the true value, of the created order, as his gift, his handiwork; and allow that celebration to lift your eyes once more to God himself, to his glory and beauty.”
July 28, 2017
This is an easily read short book that explores Christian Worship. I did find many of the chapters to be wonderful aids to worship. I also applaud the inclusion of a desire for Social Justice as part of Christian Worship. However I found the chapter on the Older Brother and its coverage of antisemitism to be out of place - not that I disagree with the content nor do I disagree with the desire to have Jews and Gentiles worshipping our Saviour together - but as I said, it just seems that Wright goes too far off-the-track in this chapter.
I also failed to relate to the tying of worship with the cathedral - I do understand the importance this would have to an Anglican Bishop - but I've never even been inside a cathedral, and so struggle to understand where the Author is coming from.
Overall, a good book that offers not just reasons to worship but also challenges us in how and why we worship.
I also failed to relate to the tying of worship with the cathedral - I do understand the importance this would have to an Anglican Bishop - but I've never even been inside a cathedral, and so struggle to understand where the Author is coming from.
Overall, a good book that offers not just reasons to worship but also challenges us in how and why we worship.
April 28, 2018
What a surprising little book, though perhaps I need to stop being surprised by Mr. Wright.....
This is one of the most impulsively-readable books that Wright has published, and several of the chapters include some of my favorite writing from him. He paints a high, high vision for true worship of the true God of Israel, revealed in Jesus, and manages to weave in and out of a variety of theological themes. This is where the surprise came in for me - as I suddenly found myself reading about things like "justification," Romans 9-11 and the role of Israel in salvation history, and atonement theories - in a book about "worship!"
This variety is, however, an ever-so-slight knock on the book, as it can feel disjointed from chapter to chapter, and the connection to the worship theme is not always readily evident (even if it all makes sense in the end).
Another great, great, book from Wright, and one that I sense is largely overlooked. I would recommend this to anyone.
This is one of the most impulsively-readable books that Wright has published, and several of the chapters include some of my favorite writing from him. He paints a high, high vision for true worship of the true God of Israel, revealed in Jesus, and manages to weave in and out of a variety of theological themes. This is where the surprise came in for me - as I suddenly found myself reading about things like "justification," Romans 9-11 and the role of Israel in salvation history, and atonement theories - in a book about "worship!"
This variety is, however, an ever-so-slight knock on the book, as it can feel disjointed from chapter to chapter, and the connection to the worship theme is not always readily evident (even if it all makes sense in the end).
Another great, great, book from Wright, and one that I sense is largely overlooked. I would recommend this to anyone.
September 10, 2018
This is the third time I have read this collection of sermons which challenge me worship God in all his glory. Each sermon is, of course, a standalone message. What ties them together is each looks at the greatness of Christ, of God, and what that means, how we should respond.
This collection was first published in 1987, and the sermons reference the current events of that time period, and yet Wright's call the church at the same time is relevant in our time period. It seems there is always a crisis going on, and the need to see God's greatness is the same.
In some of these cases, such as the civil war in North Ireland, peace seemed impossible at the time, and yet, there is a sort of peace there now. This offers hope to the impossible crises of today.
I will read this again.
This collection was first published in 1987, and the sermons reference the current events of that time period, and yet Wright's call the church at the same time is relevant in our time period. It seems there is always a crisis going on, and the need to see God's greatness is the same.
In some of these cases, such as the civil war in North Ireland, peace seemed impossible at the time, and yet, there is a sort of peace there now. This offers hope to the impossible crises of today.
I will read this again.
December 2, 2020
Wow, an absolute delight to read this small book. A different take on worship than the popular one in many churches. So much deeper and more inclusive of our behaviour. Worship is not just our singing, though part of it, but so much more. It both paints the weaknesses of the church (and its people) and the Reason that we don't have to despair - we have hope. Sharing the hope should be done in a way that it can be understood and heard, in a way that "we get in trouble with the authorities for being so subversive, or with the revolutionaries, for insisting that the true revolution begins at the foot of the cross". A great challenge both to churches and to individuals!
January 3, 2020
I loved this poetic style of this writing and this book touched me in so many ways. I have so many highlights in this book. The writing style connected with me and opened up new ways of seeing and thinking about many things. I know it's a good book when I have to frequently stop and stare off into space and explore a theme or thought in my head for a few minutes. Wright gets the juices going for me in the just the right way to trigger deeper exploration and thought on fitting what he is saying into my particular context.
Great Book.
Great Book.
June 7, 2022
A collection of sermons and writings from N.T. Wright on the definition of worship and ways we worship, and then the mission of the church and how that can be expressed in many ways.
Wright always provides a thought-provoking read that also stimulates your Christian walk and causes you to reflect on what you are or are not doing, and if you need to change anything. Recommended to those who want their Christian life reads with a little more depth and meat to chew on.
Wright always provides a thought-provoking read that also stimulates your Christian walk and causes you to reflect on what you are or are not doing, and if you need to change anything. Recommended to those who want their Christian life reads with a little more depth and meat to chew on.
July 18, 2018
This book is another amazing book by Wright. You can tell by his tone and mannerisms in this book that he is writing a more accessible book, which I welcomed in this instance. This book takes you into the culture and story of many different parts of the Nee Testament and draws out insights, challenges, and invitations to church leaders and everyday followers of Jesus! Highly recommended.
November 18, 2020
What is church? What is the purpose of church? Why do we spend so much money on pretty glass windows and golden cups and still talk about serving the poor? What is Christian unity? I am in awe of Wright’s wisdom and will ponder his answers to these questions as I seek to live out my own vocation in the church.
February 10, 2019
Worthwhile and timely
It is not one of Wright’s more scholarly works. It comes off more as a series of good sermons that challenges followers of Jesus to engage life in a way that honors God more deeply by loving people more radically.
It is not one of Wright’s more scholarly works. It comes off more as a series of good sermons that challenges followers of Jesus to engage life in a way that honors God more deeply by loving people more radically.
March 28, 2019
Great read
Very easy to read and very thought provoking. I like this author be sad he Has the ability to communicate complex issues in very simple terms so you can u understand him.
Very easy to read and very thought provoking. I like this author be sad he Has the ability to communicate complex issues in very simple terms so you can u understand him.
May 3, 2018
Scurta dar consustenta!
March 11, 2019
This book has some great insights, but I noticed this one took me a really long time to read. I think I'm souring on these sermon collections in general.
June 24, 2022
In this book N.T. Wright leads us on a quick journey through the New Testament to see what true worship is and how the church is called to worship.
February 21, 2025
I bought this book solely for the opening two paragraphs of the introduction. The remainder was gravy.
January 21, 2014
N.T. Wright is one of the best Christian scholars out there. With a subtitle called "True Worship and the Calling of the Church", I had anticipated that this slim volume would focus extensively on the more formal, Sunday-morning aspects of church worship (a la, Robert Webber's "Ancient-Future Worship"). After all, Wright is an Anglican clergyman whose normal worship style is different from that of a Baptist or a Pentecostal. While Wright does make references to "ancient-future time" (e.g. mentioning Epiphany, a traditional Christian holy day rarely celebrated by most Protestant branches), his discussion of worship styles of the church is virtually untouched. Much of the book is a discussion of the person of Jesus Christ.
The most compelling thing Wright writes in this book is on communion. Using the supper schism in Galatians (with Christian Jews refusing to eat with Gentiles until they got circumcised), Wright rightly points out that intercommunion is the way to ecumenism, because in it, the Church can share in the common meal of Christ and feast with one another at our Lord's Table.
The most compelling thing Wright writes in this book is on communion. Using the supper schism in Galatians (with Christian Jews refusing to eat with Gentiles until they got circumcised), Wright rightly points out that intercommunion is the way to ecumenism, because in it, the Church can share in the common meal of Christ and feast with one another at our Lord's Table.
February 16, 2017
NT Wright is about my favorite author ever. I've read more of his books then probably any other author. The only ones I had not read, other then many from his commentary series, were his older books. I had never heard of this one until I was doing reading to teach on Christian work and vocation. Since it was Wright, I picked it up.
I think I was mistaken as there was not much in here related to what I thought it was related to. Of course, that is not Wright's fault.
The book did seem very uneven. There was lots of good here and it was interesting to read and see how some ideas get fleshed out in later works, knowing what Wright later writes. Overall, it was good because it was Wright and there was plenty in here that was thoughtful and challenging. But I would put it low on the list - if you have not read Wright don't start here.
I think I was mistaken as there was not much in here related to what I thought it was related to. Of course, that is not Wright's fault.
The book did seem very uneven. There was lots of good here and it was interesting to read and see how some ideas get fleshed out in later works, knowing what Wright later writes. Overall, it was good because it was Wright and there was plenty in here that was thoughtful and challenging. But I would put it low on the list - if you have not read Wright don't start here.
May 5, 2015
Short Review: I read about half of this and then was distracted by the birth of my son. So I went back and re-read it again and finished this time. There is a lot of good content here, but this is a book that has been edited together from sermons. And it feels the lack of cohesion. It is missing some overarching metaphors or imagery to really have a takeaway.
That being said, when I looked back at my highlights to write my full review, there is just a ton of good meaty quotes that I really agree with.
So this is a good book, with good content, but somehow still ends up being forgettable.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/gods-worth/
That being said, when I looked back at my highlights to write my full review, there is just a ton of good meaty quotes that I really agree with.
So this is a good book, with good content, but somehow still ends up being forgettable.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/gods-worth/
Read
November 28, 2012This book is recommendation from a friend who is doggedly pursuing reading every N.T. Wright and Wendell Berry book while squeezing in any Marilynne Robinson fiction she'll let him. A noble pursuit.
He says that, at this point of his study, this is the best book by N.T. Wright he has read. I'm not sure if I believe him but I will give the book its fair shake.
If you are like me, you may need to know this before beginning the book:
Betide
–verb (used with object)
1. to happen to; come to; befall: Woe betide the villain!
ha!
March 28, 2016
This is definitely not Wright's most cohesive or compelling book, as it reads more like a collection of essays or musings on somewhat related theological topics. The content is great, but it wouldn't be a good place to start with Wright's work. It's more a reflection on various ways that the resurrection and kingdom of God shape and direct Christians and the Church today. Topics range from the Jewish roots of Christian faith, to the meaning of the Trinity, to the importance of ecumenicalism and unity.
December 19, 2012
This is N. T. Wright's most pastoral and personal work, in my opinion. He explicates, in light of his historical Jesus stuff, the meaning of the gospel and the love of God. If you like N. T. Wright, you'll enjoy this one, although I doubt you will get anything new from it (if you've read one N. T. Wright book, you've read them all).
January 20, 2013
I found the first half of this book to be a great resource for thinking about the theology behind why we worship. The second half of the book had some good ideas, but I didn't sense a strong connection between the chapters. Overall through it left me with a lot to think about, especially about the relationship between worship and mission.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews