What do you think?
Rate this book
Simply Good News: Why the Gospel Is News and What Makes It Good
The bishop, Bible scholar, modern heir to C. S. Lewis, and revered author of Simply Christian and Simply Jesus offers a fresh look at the Gospel, explaining why Jesus’ message is “good news” and why it is more timely and transforming today than we know.
The Gospel means good news. But if the message has been around for 2,000 years, what makes it significant today? What’s so “good” about stories involving damnation, violence, and a God who sacrifices his only son?
Noted Bible scholar N.T. Wright shows us how Christians today have lost sight of what the “good news” of the gospel really is. In Simply Good News, he takes us back in time to reveal how the people of the first-century—the gospel’s original audience—would have received Jesus’ message. He offer a clear and thoughtful analysis of what the “good news” really is, and applies it to our lives today, revealing its power to transform us.
The Gospel means good news. But if the message has been around for 2,000 years, what makes it significant today? What’s so “good” about stories involving damnation, violence, and a God who sacrifices his only son?
Noted Bible scholar N.T. Wright shows us how Christians today have lost sight of what the “good news” of the gospel really is. In Simply Good News, he takes us back in time to reveal how the people of the first-century—the gospel’s original audience—would have received Jesus’ message. He offer a clear and thoughtful analysis of what the “good news” really is, and applies it to our lives today, revealing its power to transform us.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2015
254 people are currently reading
1738 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
December 5, 2020
This is a "gospel" book, in the mold of "What is the Gospel?", "The King Jesus Gospel", "The World-Tilting Gospel" and others. While I have some reservations about this book, I do believe this is the best of the few that I've read because Wright has some out of the ordinary kinds of things to say. All the writers agree that the gospel is "good news" but the question is what that means.
Where Gilbert confuses the gospel with salvation, as McKnight says, it is a "de-storified" gospel, Wright builds the story in ways that none of the others do. But McKnight falls short in delivering a satisfactory "storification" of the gospel.
Dan Phillips in "The World-Tilting Gospel" provides the story, but it doesn't really pack the punch that Wright offers. Wright has a deeper, richer biblical-theological understanding of the Old Testament and the New Covenant fulfillment in Christ and is therefore able to take his readers deeper, challenging us to think new thoughts and engaging his readers in ways Phillips simply cannot do.
Wright begins with many of the same concerns that McKnight has with the way Christians have articulated the gospel. Wright argues that "In many churches, the good news has subtly changed into good advice..." As Wright himself says, "there’s nothing wrong with good advice... But it isn’t the same thing as news." p. 4
For Wright, the gospel must be news--"Something had happened. Something would happen. And in between, something powerful and mysterious was happening in the lives of all those who found themselves caught up in it. If we want to recapture the dynamic of the original early Christian gospel, we need to recapture this triple vision, and to see in particular what this tells us about the meaning of the word God." p. 34
Wright defines this good news: "The good news is about the living God overcoming all the powers of the world to establish his rule of justice and peace, on earth as in heaven. Not in heaven, later on. And that victory is won not by superior power of the same kind but by a different sort of power altogether." p.43 Or, more simply "The good news is that the one true God has now taken charge of the world, in and through Jesus and his death and resurrection." p. 56
Now, I expect that this is where Gilbert, and others like him get hung up, for this is simply not a sufficiently "systematic" presentation of the gospel which must "...say something about sin and the need for salvation from God's wrath against it?" (Gilbert, "What is the Gospel" p. 17 But this is precisely where Gilbert goes awry--confusing the gospel with soteriology. But Wright is clear that the gospel is much bigger than that--including "the restoration and transformation of all creation" p. 71 and is "much more like a coronation than a sacrifice." p. 72
Wright is also clear that it does also include the soteriology, including "Jesus died for me", it must include that, but it is not only that. Now, to many this may seem to be nit-picky or contentious, but the rest of the book demonstrates that if we don't properly define the gospel, the power of the gospel is diminished. This is where Gilbert's "What is the Gospel" falls flat. His chapter "The Power of the Gospel" is seven pages long and has little to say beyond believe the gospel and speak the gospel. Again, the problem here is not what is said, but rather what isn't said.
Gilbert's gospel isn't powerful enough for him to confidently say things like, "... the living God is indeed establishing his kingdom on earth as in heaven, through the finished work of Jesus, and is inviting people of all sorts to share not only in the benefits of this kingdom but also in the work through which it will come to its ultimate completion." Wright, p. 164
Wright has much more to say, of course. Fortunately, this is one of Wright's shorter books where his editors have an incentive to reduce, rather than increase Wright's page count. Wright riffs on the distinction between "the final vision of the Christian gospel" as "going to heaven when you die" versus "the rescue and renewal of the whole creation." p. 90 Again, the truncated, pietistic gospel doesn't have such a holistic vision. This answers the compelling human need for meaning in this life--for vocation. If God's kingdom has begun, this gives new meaning to what we do on earth in the here and now.
It is at this point that Wright takes a chapter to expound upon the future. He knows that if we do not properly understand what the Bible says about the future that we will not live biblically in the present. Chapter 6, "Wrong Future, Wrong Present" is about understanding what so many believe to be predictions of "final punishment in the New Testament" instead "a majority of the sayings... do not mean what people have assumed they mean." p. 109
Wright is opposing those in the church that "shrug their shoulders and say there's nothing we can do to make the world a better place until Jesus returns." That "All we can do is alleviate some of the worst evils and look after those who are suffering." As Wright says, "This simply ignores the New Testament's emphasis." Instead, he reminds us that "The risen Jesus already claims all authority in heaven and on earth." p. 114
Wright argues that we can, and must learn from the early church that "real and lasting change is costly." "...the basic victory has been won on the cross." p. 117 As Jesus states of the church, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18 It is the church that is on the offense, with hell on the defensive. Wright understands this and wants to help the church remember.
Wright concludes with a chapter on the Lord's Prayer--showing how following Jesus' words help us properly orient ourselves to our world. The prayer begins "May your kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as in heaven." God is re-making earth, and he has told us to pray and labor for this now, not just for a final victorious act at the end of history.
It is here, at the end that Wright offers his final definition of the gospel:
"The good news is that the living God is indeed establishing his kingdom on earth as in heaven, through the finished work of Jesus, and is inviting people of all sorts to share not only in the benefits of this kingdom but also in the work through which it will come to its ultimate completion." p. 164
The result of this fuller gospel-vision will be God-centered prayers for God's kingdom, that replace "our self-centered prayers (for help, for rescue, for forgiveness, and for bread). For our prayers will begin with God's kingdom and allowing "God himself [to] reshape what that means..." p. 161
Where Gilbert confuses the gospel with salvation, as McKnight says, it is a "de-storified" gospel, Wright builds the story in ways that none of the others do. But McKnight falls short in delivering a satisfactory "storification" of the gospel.
Dan Phillips in "The World-Tilting Gospel" provides the story, but it doesn't really pack the punch that Wright offers. Wright has a deeper, richer biblical-theological understanding of the Old Testament and the New Covenant fulfillment in Christ and is therefore able to take his readers deeper, challenging us to think new thoughts and engaging his readers in ways Phillips simply cannot do.
Wright begins with many of the same concerns that McKnight has with the way Christians have articulated the gospel. Wright argues that "In many churches, the good news has subtly changed into good advice..." As Wright himself says, "there’s nothing wrong with good advice... But it isn’t the same thing as news." p. 4
For Wright, the gospel must be news--"Something had happened. Something would happen. And in between, something powerful and mysterious was happening in the lives of all those who found themselves caught up in it. If we want to recapture the dynamic of the original early Christian gospel, we need to recapture this triple vision, and to see in particular what this tells us about the meaning of the word God." p. 34
Wright defines this good news: "The good news is about the living God overcoming all the powers of the world to establish his rule of justice and peace, on earth as in heaven. Not in heaven, later on. And that victory is won not by superior power of the same kind but by a different sort of power altogether." p.43 Or, more simply "The good news is that the one true God has now taken charge of the world, in and through Jesus and his death and resurrection." p. 56
Now, I expect that this is where Gilbert, and others like him get hung up, for this is simply not a sufficiently "systematic" presentation of the gospel which must "...say something about sin and the need for salvation from God's wrath against it?" (Gilbert, "What is the Gospel" p. 17 But this is precisely where Gilbert goes awry--confusing the gospel with soteriology. But Wright is clear that the gospel is much bigger than that--including "the restoration and transformation of all creation" p. 71 and is "much more like a coronation than a sacrifice." p. 72
Wright is also clear that it does also include the soteriology, including "Jesus died for me", it must include that, but it is not only that. Now, to many this may seem to be nit-picky or contentious, but the rest of the book demonstrates that if we don't properly define the gospel, the power of the gospel is diminished. This is where Gilbert's "What is the Gospel" falls flat. His chapter "The Power of the Gospel" is seven pages long and has little to say beyond believe the gospel and speak the gospel. Again, the problem here is not what is said, but rather what isn't said.
Gilbert's gospel isn't powerful enough for him to confidently say things like, "... the living God is indeed establishing his kingdom on earth as in heaven, through the finished work of Jesus, and is inviting people of all sorts to share not only in the benefits of this kingdom but also in the work through which it will come to its ultimate completion." Wright, p. 164
Wright has much more to say, of course. Fortunately, this is one of Wright's shorter books where his editors have an incentive to reduce, rather than increase Wright's page count. Wright riffs on the distinction between "the final vision of the Christian gospel" as "going to heaven when you die" versus "the rescue and renewal of the whole creation." p. 90 Again, the truncated, pietistic gospel doesn't have such a holistic vision. This answers the compelling human need for meaning in this life--for vocation. If God's kingdom has begun, this gives new meaning to what we do on earth in the here and now.
It is at this point that Wright takes a chapter to expound upon the future. He knows that if we do not properly understand what the Bible says about the future that we will not live biblically in the present. Chapter 6, "Wrong Future, Wrong Present" is about understanding what so many believe to be predictions of "final punishment in the New Testament" instead "a majority of the sayings... do not mean what people have assumed they mean." p. 109
Wright is opposing those in the church that "shrug their shoulders and say there's nothing we can do to make the world a better place until Jesus returns." That "All we can do is alleviate some of the worst evils and look after those who are suffering." As Wright says, "This simply ignores the New Testament's emphasis." Instead, he reminds us that "The risen Jesus already claims all authority in heaven and on earth." p. 114
Wright argues that we can, and must learn from the early church that "real and lasting change is costly." "...the basic victory has been won on the cross." p. 117 As Jesus states of the church, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18 It is the church that is on the offense, with hell on the defensive. Wright understands this and wants to help the church remember.
Wright concludes with a chapter on the Lord's Prayer--showing how following Jesus' words help us properly orient ourselves to our world. The prayer begins "May your kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as in heaven." God is re-making earth, and he has told us to pray and labor for this now, not just for a final victorious act at the end of history.
It is here, at the end that Wright offers his final definition of the gospel:
"The good news is that the living God is indeed establishing his kingdom on earth as in heaven, through the finished work of Jesus, and is inviting people of all sorts to share not only in the benefits of this kingdom but also in the work through which it will come to its ultimate completion." p. 164
The result of this fuller gospel-vision will be God-centered prayers for God's kingdom, that replace "our self-centered prayers (for help, for rescue, for forgiveness, and for bread). For our prayers will begin with God's kingdom and allowing "God himself [to] reshape what that means..." p. 161
January 14, 2015
I try not to give out a lot of 5 stars (simply b/c i don't think there are many books that deserve that high of rating)..so when I do, I honestly think it is an important and good book. To me, Wright summarizes succinctly many themes and ideas found in several other of his works (both popular and scholarly). If one wants to understand Wright and where he comes from and where he is going...at least on a general level...One MUST read this book.
February 5, 2016
This is one of Wright's popular level books (Lite Wright). But it packs a wallop. Covering much the same ground as Scot McKnight's King Jesus Gospel, Wright pushes his readers to enlarge their picture of what the good news really is. He sets Jesus in the context of Israel's hope; he sets the plan of salvation in the context of the renewal of all creation; he roots heaven in the experience of resurrection and the way the kingdom breaks into the present; he looks forward to Christ's return and the fullness of new creation.
Wright is prolific, and for someone so prolific it amazes me that his books are so consistently good. My favorite chapter is the final one, where he looks at the Lord's prayer as a way of 'praying the good news.' He brings us in the back door with the final line (Don't bring us into trial but rescue us from evil). Walking backwards through the prayer (as most of us often prayer) he talks about these as a prayer for help, a prayer for forgiveness, a prayer for bread, a prayer for God's will and kingdom to come, a prayer honoring and glorifying God, a prayer to our host, the Father. As we learn to pray this (forwards) we embody more and more what it means to be the good news people
Wright is prolific, and for someone so prolific it amazes me that his books are so consistently good. My favorite chapter is the final one, where he looks at the Lord's prayer as a way of 'praying the good news.' He brings us in the back door with the final line (Don't bring us into trial but rescue us from evil). Walking backwards through the prayer (as most of us often prayer) he talks about these as a prayer for help, a prayer for forgiveness, a prayer for bread, a prayer for God's will and kingdom to come, a prayer honoring and glorifying God, a prayer to our host, the Father. As we learn to pray this (forwards) we embody more and more what it means to be the good news people
May 5, 2024
As I read this book, I felt my heart leap and burn with joy. This is the Good News articulated from the context of the Old Testament world, and what I found is that Wright’s work here was both deeper and richer than so many other gospel presentations I’ve come across. He includes so much, if not all, of those other versions, but succeeds in displaying fully the magnitude and utter solidity of the gospel as good news. I already want to read the book again, as new roads have opened in my mind and I long to explore them further in hopes of seeing more deeply how the gospel changes everything.
There’s so much more I could write. My heart is full. Thank you, Jesus!
There’s so much more I could write. My heart is full. Thank you, Jesus!
March 10, 2019
4.5? This book should be required reading for Christians, just not the only required reading. There's so much in here poking holes through the dualistic cultural Christianity that I was raised in and more providing a biblical and an intriguing future. I haven't read too many Wright books, but from what I can tell, he bangs on the same drum very often (which is not a bad thing), and this is the most simple explanation of why he does that. God has begun the new creation in Christ.
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the personal emphasis of repentance and faith. He definitely says that's part of the story in the book, but does not spend much time on it whatsoever. The picture he paints is a really good one, but I have several non-Christians in my life that would not see it as good news until they knew that their sins were forgiven and they'd get to enjoy it all.
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the personal emphasis of repentance and faith. He definitely says that's part of the story in the book, but does not spend much time on it whatsoever. The picture he paints is a really good one, but I have several non-Christians in my life that would not see it as good news until they knew that their sins were forgiven and they'd get to enjoy it all.
July 13, 2024
Half of this book was the classic NT Wright stuff: Kingdom of God, reframing the concept of “heaven”, Earth being renewed kinda jazz. If you aren’t familiar, read Surprised by Joy. But once you’ve read a few Wright books, that incredible important train of thought does become a bit receptive.
The other half of this book was essentially a call for the Church to proclaim the Gospel with their lives and words not as good advice, but as good news. Rather than explaining this, I’ll just close with a quote that capture the book’s message pretty well:
“When Paul talk people his good news, he didn’t mean for them to say, “Well, that’s interesting. I’ll see if that’s going to suit me or not.” He wasn’t inviting them to try on a new way of thinking or living that would enable them to live differently or think differently. He was telling them that something had happened which had changed the world, that the world was now a different place, and that he was summoning them to be a part of that new, different reality. He was telling them about an event that would cause them to adjust their entire lives in order to come into line with the way things now were.
It isn’t difficult to see how this worked. When Roman heralds came int a city like Thessalonica announcing that a new emperor had been enthroned, they didn’t mean, “Here is a new sort of imperial experience, and you might like to see if it suits you.” They meant, “Tiberius is the Lord of the World. You are the lucky recipients of this good news; he demands your loyalty, your allegiance, and (of course) your taxes.” That’s how the Man good news worked…
When w change the details, we can see that this is also how Paul’s good news worked. Paul used the word herald to talk about his own vocation of announcing the good news about Jesus. He wasn’t like someone offering people a new type of torch so they could see better in the dark. He was like someone saying that the sun had risen, and the if you would only open the curtains you’d see that you don’t need torches anymore”
Of course, Wright goes to great lengths to explain the difference between a Roman emperor’s tyrannical rule and God’s gracious rule; this is the very essence of the gospel being GOOD news, whereas the quote above merely establishes that it is news.
Anywho, great book. Would suggest to many. My favorite Wright thus far I’d say.
The other half of this book was essentially a call for the Church to proclaim the Gospel with their lives and words not as good advice, but as good news. Rather than explaining this, I’ll just close with a quote that capture the book’s message pretty well:
“When Paul talk people his good news, he didn’t mean for them to say, “Well, that’s interesting. I’ll see if that’s going to suit me or not.” He wasn’t inviting them to try on a new way of thinking or living that would enable them to live differently or think differently. He was telling them that something had happened which had changed the world, that the world was now a different place, and that he was summoning them to be a part of that new, different reality. He was telling them about an event that would cause them to adjust their entire lives in order to come into line with the way things now were.
It isn’t difficult to see how this worked. When Roman heralds came int a city like Thessalonica announcing that a new emperor had been enthroned, they didn’t mean, “Here is a new sort of imperial experience, and you might like to see if it suits you.” They meant, “Tiberius is the Lord of the World. You are the lucky recipients of this good news; he demands your loyalty, your allegiance, and (of course) your taxes.” That’s how the Man good news worked…
When w change the details, we can see that this is also how Paul’s good news worked. Paul used the word herald to talk about his own vocation of announcing the good news about Jesus. He wasn’t like someone offering people a new type of torch so they could see better in the dark. He was like someone saying that the sun had risen, and the if you would only open the curtains you’d see that you don’t need torches anymore”
Of course, Wright goes to great lengths to explain the difference between a Roman emperor’s tyrannical rule and God’s gracious rule; this is the very essence of the gospel being GOOD news, whereas the quote above merely establishes that it is news.
Anywho, great book. Would suggest to many. My favorite Wright thus far I’d say.
October 2, 2015
This may possibly be my favourite book by N.T. Wright so far. It is closest in my eyes to “Surprised by Hope”. As in that book, Wright is dealing with a topic that while basic to Christianity is often misinterpreted and misunderstood. In this book, while dealing with the Good News or Gospel, Wright is excellent. He rather gently points out the false gospels of the world as well as the incomplete gospels that can be embraced by well-meaning Christians – myself included. Unusual for Wright, this particular book was fairly easy to read, so I can actually recommend it to a much wider audience than normal. I had hoped that this would be a 5-star book, but alas it was not. Similar to “Surprised by Hope”, Wright never seems to complete what he has started. Thus, he has helped with the intellectual articulation of what the Gospel really is, he provides little or no help in how this Gospel can best be communicated in the world we live in. Similarly, while outlining where typical “Christian” views of the second coming are faulty, he completely neglects any articulation of what the second coming actually stands for, or any view of the end times. On the other hand, his final chapter on praying the Gospel was a wonderful end to the book, and should be helpful to the spiritual growth of any Christian who wants this.
April 7, 2015
Една от най-достъпните книги на Н Т Райт. От доста годни и в доста свои книги той повтаря, че често християните и дори църквата в по-голям мащаб представя една твърде непълна, окарикатурена и дори погрешна "блага вест." В повечето случаи обаче когато се е опивал да каже защо и в какво това е така то е оставало не напълно разбрано от мен. В Simply good news Н Т Райт най-после много ясно и успешно успява да дестилира и синтезира нещата, които повтаря вече от много години по един ясен и лесно разбираем начин.
Чудесна книга, която препоръчвам.
Чудесна книга, която препоръчвам.
Read
March 3, 2015Perspective changing
I really liked Wright's emphasis on the lesser thought about, lesser presented aspects of the Gospel. Very enlightening read, will check out some of the author's other books sometime.
I really liked Wright's emphasis on the lesser thought about, lesser presented aspects of the Gospel. Very enlightening read, will check out some of the author's other books sometime.
February 2, 2022
An easy read that is a must for anyone who has always been taught that the good news of the Gospel is that we go to heaven when we die. This statement is inaccurate, and not the good news at all.
He does lack some expounding on what the gospel means for our lives, and what it means to join Christ's Kingdom, but as this is not really the focus of the book I think it's fair.
He does lack some expounding on what the gospel means for our lives, and what it means to join Christ's Kingdom, but as this is not really the focus of the book I think it's fair.
October 23, 2024
This book made me be happy to be a Christian. Wright was stirring my affections all throughout this book. Would recommend for anyone who wants a deeper, fuller and richer understanding of what Jesus ultimately did and is doing.
August 28, 2015
When you have read a lot of N.T. Wright, as I have, you tend to pick up on his style, his overarching theme. Sometimes this works effectively, other times it does not. In this book, N.T. Wright's overarching theme works beautifully. By focusing on the Gospel message, not the just the Gospel books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and not just on Jesus himself, as he has done in previous works, N.T. Wright is able to encompass everything in the New Testament that he has been saying for some time now, simplify it without losing any of its complexity, and infuse it with his characteristic awe and wonder in the God of the Bible, His creation, and His redemptive plan. The basic theme of this book, and much of N.T. Wright's other books, is this: the Gospel message is that Jesus' death and resurrection is God fulfilling His promise from ancient times to establish His kingdom and His personal rule "on Earth as in Heaven." While this encompasses saving, or setting apart, people to proclaim this message, this good news, the point was never to be saved so that people could go to heaven, a slight skewing of the Gospel message by Enlightenment philosophy as Mr. Wright explains. Scripture, and particularly Revelations 21 and 22, declares that God is going to bring Heaven to Earth, not bring us out of Earth to Heaven. Once the Gospel message is seen in this way, it may very well change how you read your Bible, see the world now and act in it. This can be a very complicated topic and Mr. Wright hasn't always done a great job of explaining it in past books. But here he has perfected and simplified things by broadening his scope. If you have never read N.T. Wright, I would highly recommend this as a good starting place.
(Postscript: As well as read this book, I also took part in Mr. Wright's online class that used this book as its basis. If you are thinking about using this book for a group study or just want to dive in a little deeper, I highly recommend that you check out https://www.udemy.com/simply-good-new..., or go to his main website for his online class, www.ntwrightonline.org, for a link to this class and other online classes available now and in the future.)
(Postscript: As well as read this book, I also took part in Mr. Wright's online class that used this book as its basis. If you are thinking about using this book for a group study or just want to dive in a little deeper, I highly recommend that you check out https://www.udemy.com/simply-good-new..., or go to his main website for his online class, www.ntwrightonline.org, for a link to this class and other online classes available now and in the future.)
February 28, 2016
It is not that I didn't like this book, in many ways I really did. But, it is my second lay level book that I have read for NT Wright and I am just not appreciating the level of writing he does intended for mass audiences. I would rather read his more technical stuff. I agreed with much of what he had to write in this book. It took me getting through 80% of the book to realize that his ultimate thesis in the book is actually making a case for a version of postmillennialism. Although, he never actually uses this word, but I am unsure if he doesn't because of the book's audience not being able to handle big theological words or because he doesn't quite subscribe himself to all the category might mean?
I did not care for the fact that the book was extremely light on Scripture and actual historical information (again lay level book vs technical book) and no footnotes or endnotes. It is not so much that I disagreed with his premises, but because he did not offer any real support for them, they really were just assertions.
Anyway, agreed with much of the book. Didn't care for the presentation.
I did not care for the fact that the book was extremely light on Scripture and actual historical information (again lay level book vs technical book) and no footnotes or endnotes. It is not so much that I disagreed with his premises, but because he did not offer any real support for them, they really were just assertions.
Anyway, agreed with much of the book. Didn't care for the presentation.
June 12, 2015
Wright couches the gospel in the larger view of God's redemptive plan for salvation. He argues that the gospel is news about an event, the resurrection, and that it finds most significance in light of Israel's longing for a Messiah. Very helpful to think of salvation in terms of God's greater story, rather than just personal justification. He does address personal response to the gospel, but could have been more detailed in how someone is to respond.
December 5, 2017
This book does a great job of capturing so many of Wright’s major concepts clearly and simply. Having read a lot of his books at this point, and having listened to dozens of his lectures online, I didn’t really encounter any new material here. What he did well with this book was condense, simplify, and illustrate with examples from history and current events.
August 15, 2015
If you've never read anything by NT Wright, this would be a great place to start.
June 13, 2023
N. T. Wright is an Evangelical Christian priest-theologian-scholar that had a deep impact to me when I was transitioning back to Christianity. His apologetical-ish book "Simply Christian" helped me lean my needle closer to my current faith.
A former Anglican bishop, he is a prolific scholar, writing a lot of books & journals that represent conservative Evangelical point of view but with the rigor of a dedicated researcher. His pastoral experience, though, I believe, have granted him license to write non-academia theology books that can be easier to read by laypersons including myself. This book is one of those books with more popular-style writings.
Coming up with a simple premise, he asks us to reconsider what the Gospel, "Euangelion" in Koine Greek, literally translated "Good News", means to us. This is because Gospel has been defined as a set of strict, rigid, unflexible doctrine, or get-saved-quick scheme to get a place in "heaven". Both are problematic, because both does not mean Good News, but Good Advice instead.
Rather, Wright re-imagined what consitute as News:
1. A breakthrough happening from the past, with larger picture as a context;
2. Bringing a difference to the future, a different expectation that excites or terrifies; and
3. Forcing us to change what we do or think or behave in the present.
That's what Good News does. It effects the past, present, and future. So what's the Good News? That Jesus was born, lived, died, and raised from the dead as the Bible (Old Testament finding its culmination in the New Testament) says, and reigning as the True King of the Universe as the Bible says. Jesus is King of the Earth as in Heaven.
Which comes to the implication of how we live. How do we live in understanding that Jesus the True King is already-but-not-yet establishing & taking back the reign that belongs to God Himself in the first place, with expectation of the Earth as in Heaven (not escape to heaven)?
It is a contrasting view of the so-called Euangelion by the Roman imperium at that time, and the rulers of the world nowadays. Then the question is simple: Jesus or Caesar?
A former Anglican bishop, he is a prolific scholar, writing a lot of books & journals that represent conservative Evangelical point of view but with the rigor of a dedicated researcher. His pastoral experience, though, I believe, have granted him license to write non-academia theology books that can be easier to read by laypersons including myself. This book is one of those books with more popular-style writings.
Coming up with a simple premise, he asks us to reconsider what the Gospel, "Euangelion" in Koine Greek, literally translated "Good News", means to us. This is because Gospel has been defined as a set of strict, rigid, unflexible doctrine, or get-saved-quick scheme to get a place in "heaven". Both are problematic, because both does not mean Good News, but Good Advice instead.
Rather, Wright re-imagined what consitute as News:
1. A breakthrough happening from the past, with larger picture as a context;
2. Bringing a difference to the future, a different expectation that excites or terrifies; and
3. Forcing us to change what we do or think or behave in the present.
That's what Good News does. It effects the past, present, and future. So what's the Good News? That Jesus was born, lived, died, and raised from the dead as the Bible (Old Testament finding its culmination in the New Testament) says, and reigning as the True King of the Universe as the Bible says. Jesus is King of the Earth as in Heaven.
Which comes to the implication of how we live. How do we live in understanding that Jesus the True King is already-but-not-yet establishing & taking back the reign that belongs to God Himself in the first place, with expectation of the Earth as in Heaven (not escape to heaven)?
It is a contrasting view of the so-called Euangelion by the Roman imperium at that time, and the rulers of the world nowadays. Then the question is simple: Jesus or Caesar?
October 7, 2021
For many reasons, this is one of my favorite "Gospel in layman's terms" books.
Wright manages to situate the love of God in the center of the frame as he explains how the "good news" is news, in the sense that it was an objective event that occurred in history and that brings implications on the present/future, and that news is, in fact, good.
Wright steps outside of tradition and approaches scripture with only the story it tells on his mind. The result is not a new faith, but rather a more focused and rightly-framed exposition of God's heart and how He has revealed it to us through history, and continues to do through His word.
Wright doesn't shy from challenging "modern" assumptions that the world and sometimes the church have placed on the Bible/Christians. He calls ideas about heaven, vocation, purpose, love, justice, peace, and, briefly, government all into question and places them subject to God's word and character.
The one downside could potentially be that the breadth of content touched on by this book makes brevity necessary and hinders Wright's ability to fully expound on his "minor" points (which are quite thought-provoking). This can leave the reader a little exasperated at times as they now have to deal with unanswered questions that were only hinted at along the way to a bigger point to be made by Wright later on.
This makes a great book for discussion and self-reflection.
Wright manages to situate the love of God in the center of the frame as he explains how the "good news" is news, in the sense that it was an objective event that occurred in history and that brings implications on the present/future, and that news is, in fact, good.
Wright steps outside of tradition and approaches scripture with only the story it tells on his mind. The result is not a new faith, but rather a more focused and rightly-framed exposition of God's heart and how He has revealed it to us through history, and continues to do through His word.
Wright doesn't shy from challenging "modern" assumptions that the world and sometimes the church have placed on the Bible/Christians. He calls ideas about heaven, vocation, purpose, love, justice, peace, and, briefly, government all into question and places them subject to God's word and character.
The one downside could potentially be that the breadth of content touched on by this book makes brevity necessary and hinders Wright's ability to fully expound on his "minor" points (which are quite thought-provoking). This can leave the reader a little exasperated at times as they now have to deal with unanswered questions that were only hinted at along the way to a bigger point to be made by Wright later on.
This makes a great book for discussion and self-reflection.
February 1, 2025
What is the gospel? It is not "Jesus died for you so that you can go to heaven." Nor is it "Jesus died so that your sins could be forgiven." But if neither of these are the gospel message, then what is?
According to Wright, the gospel message is this: "The good news is that the one true God has now taken charge of the world, in and through Jesus and his death and resurrection." In short, the good news is that Jesus is the King of the Cosmos and he is making all things new. This is the message that the Apostles preached and this is the message that will change the world.
According to Wright, the gospel message is this: "The good news is that the one true God has now taken charge of the world, in and through Jesus and his death and resurrection." In short, the good news is that Jesus is the King of the Cosmos and he is making all things new. This is the message that the Apostles preached and this is the message that will change the world.
May 9, 2022
After reading this surprising book, I feel like I really have received good news.
There is a controversy in Wright’s soteriology. Penal substitution. Does he believe in it? Kinda. It’s hard to say exactly where it fits in his hierarchy. I don’t think he ranks it as high as I do, but I can say this. N.T. Wright has broadened my theology of salvation. If we think that salvation is only about satisfying the wrath of God, we may be missing a bigger picture.
There is a controversy in Wright’s soteriology. Penal substitution. Does he believe in it? Kinda. It’s hard to say exactly where it fits in his hierarchy. I don’t think he ranks it as high as I do, but I can say this. N.T. Wright has broadened my theology of salvation. If we think that salvation is only about satisfying the wrath of God, we may be missing a bigger picture.
Read
January 31, 2020This is an easy version of my favorite NT Wright ideas on what the kingdom is and what it means to follow Jesus and how that changes everything on earth. I didn’t need to read it since I’ve read thicker versions of it before, but a friend passed it on so I went through it and I can pass it on to others who don’t want the more scholarly or stiffly written versions.
February 4, 2020
Eu amo leituras que me tiram do quadrado de meus conceitos. Em outras palavras, leituras que me fazem pensar e repensar o que acredito e porque acredito. Com toda certeza, mais uma vez, N.T. Wright me proporcionou essa experiência.
Nesse livro, "Simplesmente Boas Novas", o grande acadêmico e teólogo, em linguagem para as massas, debruça nos leitores (ou melhor, os golpeia) sobre a essência do cristianismo. Para isso, ele recorre a tão aclamada palavra "Evangelho", explicando o que tal palavra significa e significou para os primeiros cristãos quando remetida a Jesus Cristo.
Se pensávamos que Evangelho é um convite para fazer o que é moralmente certo ou até mesmo sermos livres do inferno. O autor desbanca tais teorias. Isso faz parte, mas nunca foi a ênfase da boa notícia.
O autor demonstra que Evangelho sempre foi uma notícia e não um conselho. O conselho, visa o resulta. A boa notícia, é o relato do que aconteceu (jesus morto e ressuscitado), a expectativa do que ocorrerá no futuro (a nova criação definitiva) e a nova ação no presente diante da boa notícia (a vitória do mal e participação da nova criação, trabalhando no estabelecimento do reino).
Essa notícia, anunciada por Paulo, um arauto do Rei (proclamador da boa notícia), ou apóstolo (comissionado de uma missão); remodela toda nossa compreensão popular ocidental do cristianismo.
Notícia é notícia. E Evangelho, é a boa nova a respeito de Deus, que havia voltado na pessoa de Jesus; Deus estava vindo, para o mundo todo, na presença e no poder do Espírito sempre que a boa notícia era anunciada. E, certo dia, Deus - o Deus agora tornado conhecido em Jesus - voltaria para terminar a tarefa, para ser tudo em todos, para encher o mundo com Sua glória e amor, para transformar tudo, para endireitar tudo, para curar tudo com o Seu poderoso amor.
Wright, faz com que repensemos até mesmo o que é o "Céu". E, concluí o livro nos convidando para, além de crermos nas boas novas, sermos pessoas das boas novas. E isso, não é possível somente com esforço próprio, mas com a oração das boas novas. Baseado na oração do Pai-nosso, aprendemos sobre o Evangelho e participamos desse Evangelho.
Esse livro é uma leitura obrigatória. Simplesmente boas novas é, simplesmente necessário e essencialmente um passeio para as bases cristãs.
Nesse livro, "Simplesmente Boas Novas", o grande acadêmico e teólogo, em linguagem para as massas, debruça nos leitores (ou melhor, os golpeia) sobre a essência do cristianismo. Para isso, ele recorre a tão aclamada palavra "Evangelho", explicando o que tal palavra significa e significou para os primeiros cristãos quando remetida a Jesus Cristo.
Se pensávamos que Evangelho é um convite para fazer o que é moralmente certo ou até mesmo sermos livres do inferno. O autor desbanca tais teorias. Isso faz parte, mas nunca foi a ênfase da boa notícia.
O autor demonstra que Evangelho sempre foi uma notícia e não um conselho. O conselho, visa o resulta. A boa notícia, é o relato do que aconteceu (jesus morto e ressuscitado), a expectativa do que ocorrerá no futuro (a nova criação definitiva) e a nova ação no presente diante da boa notícia (a vitória do mal e participação da nova criação, trabalhando no estabelecimento do reino).
Essa notícia, anunciada por Paulo, um arauto do Rei (proclamador da boa notícia), ou apóstolo (comissionado de uma missão); remodela toda nossa compreensão popular ocidental do cristianismo.
Notícia é notícia. E Evangelho, é a boa nova a respeito de Deus, que havia voltado na pessoa de Jesus; Deus estava vindo, para o mundo todo, na presença e no poder do Espírito sempre que a boa notícia era anunciada. E, certo dia, Deus - o Deus agora tornado conhecido em Jesus - voltaria para terminar a tarefa, para ser tudo em todos, para encher o mundo com Sua glória e amor, para transformar tudo, para endireitar tudo, para curar tudo com o Seu poderoso amor.
Wright, faz com que repensemos até mesmo o que é o "Céu". E, concluí o livro nos convidando para, além de crermos nas boas novas, sermos pessoas das boas novas. E isso, não é possível somente com esforço próprio, mas com a oração das boas novas. Baseado na oração do Pai-nosso, aprendemos sobre o Evangelho e participamos desse Evangelho.
Esse livro é uma leitura obrigatória. Simplesmente boas novas é, simplesmente necessário e essencialmente um passeio para as bases cristãs.
March 21, 2021
Excellent.
May 2, 2022
Interesting read with an emphasis on how Jesus’ message would have been shocking and that it not only changed the world when he delivered it but also continues to change the world
September 7, 2024
Clear and relevant exposition
March 22, 2018
An excellent book! I think all those in America who call themselves Christians should read it for a good perspective of the Good News of God's Kingdom coming to earth and of God Himself. Definitely a refreshing read for me.
May 31, 2017
It's NT Wright and it's about the most important news ever. 'nuf said.
September 13, 2015
I appreciate NT Wright's big idea that the Gospel encompasses more than our individual salvations but includes the broader story of the restoration of the world. His points around our future not being far away in the sweet by and by but rather Heaven meets Earth and the Kingdom of God grows to fill the earth are well taken. He is easy to read and illustrates his points well.
My criticisms would be as follows:
He tends to create caricatures of others' positions
He tends to gloss over and not directly address potential problems with his own position
In his push to make the kingdom of God and God makes all things new the central point of the Gospel - He, to a fault, minimizes the benefits of the Gospel in rescuing sinners.
While he does present a compelling aspect of what the Gospel does (remaking and restoring all things) I would disagree that this piece is more central to the Gospel than the saving and rescuing of souls to knowing God as a loving Father.
I would say that at the center of the Gospel is the Joy of Knowing God - Wright's point is an expansion of this point but not more central. God's rule over all things and eventual restoration and renewal of all things is Good News to me when I also believe the more central truth that I have been provided entrance to the His Kingdom as a beloved Son. This seems entirely dismissed by Wright.
His theology has the potential to lend itself to a "work harder, do more" theology in order to make sure I am truly kingdom bound.
Here is a summary quote from the book that highlights both the good and the bad.
"The good news isn't primarily about us receiving help when we need it (though that's included), rescue when we're under intense pressure (though that comes, too), forgiveness (though we need it and will be given it, as long as we, too, become forgiving people), or food for the journey (though that will be provided). It isn't primarily even about God's kingdom coming and his will being done on earth as in heaven, though that remains central. The good news is primarily that God - the generous God, the loving God - is being honored, will be honored, has been utterly and supremely honored, in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus."
My criticisms would be as follows:
He tends to create caricatures of others' positions
He tends to gloss over and not directly address potential problems with his own position
In his push to make the kingdom of God and God makes all things new the central point of the Gospel - He, to a fault, minimizes the benefits of the Gospel in rescuing sinners.
While he does present a compelling aspect of what the Gospel does (remaking and restoring all things) I would disagree that this piece is more central to the Gospel than the saving and rescuing of souls to knowing God as a loving Father.
I would say that at the center of the Gospel is the Joy of Knowing God - Wright's point is an expansion of this point but not more central. God's rule over all things and eventual restoration and renewal of all things is Good News to me when I also believe the more central truth that I have been provided entrance to the His Kingdom as a beloved Son. This seems entirely dismissed by Wright.
His theology has the potential to lend itself to a "work harder, do more" theology in order to make sure I am truly kingdom bound.
Here is a summary quote from the book that highlights both the good and the bad.
"The good news isn't primarily about us receiving help when we need it (though that's included), rescue when we're under intense pressure (though that comes, too), forgiveness (though we need it and will be given it, as long as we, too, become forgiving people), or food for the journey (though that will be provided). It isn't primarily even about God's kingdom coming and his will being done on earth as in heaven, though that remains central. The good news is primarily that God - the generous God, the loving God - is being honored, will be honored, has been utterly and supremely honored, in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus."
December 17, 2015
Short Review: While I think Simply Good News is probably going to be my suggestion for the best entry point for Wright, none of Wright's books are perfect. He has a tendency to over state his case a bit and while that is less here than most books, it is still here. I think while his point is to complicate the story and make it richer, more meaningful and more whole, there are times when he needs more summary to make sure everyone is following along.
Overall if you are new to NT Wright, this is a great place to start. If you are familiar with NT Wright and have read Scot McKnight's King Jesus Gospel, you will not find much new material here, but this is a good summary of why Wright's project is important, not only for Pauline studies or New Testament studies but for the basic theology and practice of the church.
My full (about 850 word) review of Simply Good News is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/simply-good-news/
Overall if you are new to NT Wright, this is a great place to start. If you are familiar with NT Wright and have read Scot McKnight's King Jesus Gospel, you will not find much new material here, but this is a good summary of why Wright's project is important, not only for Pauline studies or New Testament studies but for the basic theology and practice of the church.
My full (about 850 word) review of Simply Good News is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/simply-good-news/
March 23, 2016
I started this yesterday and finished it today, which is no small feat for a Wright book.
I loved the simplicity N. T. brings to the table. He speaks conversationally, yet tackles deep philosophical issues in a method reminiscent of Socratic dialogues. I was a bit confused by his treatment of the Reformers. Did they successfully handle medieval misconceptions about God and the sacred/secular divide or not? He seems inconclusive, or at least takes for granted that his readers will know what he's talking about; which is odd, given that the majority of this book could be easily read by an unbeliever unschooled in church history. Most beautiful, though, was how Wright's love for his gracious Father spills over in delighted prose. Here's someone with a grasp on truly good news and a breathless impatience to tell anybody who will hear.
I loved the simplicity N. T. brings to the table. He speaks conversationally, yet tackles deep philosophical issues in a method reminiscent of Socratic dialogues. I was a bit confused by his treatment of the Reformers. Did they successfully handle medieval misconceptions about God and the sacred/secular divide or not? He seems inconclusive, or at least takes for granted that his readers will know what he's talking about; which is odd, given that the majority of this book could be easily read by an unbeliever unschooled in church history. Most beautiful, though, was how Wright's love for his gracious Father spills over in delighted prose. Here's someone with a grasp on truly good news and a breathless impatience to tell anybody who will hear.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews