What do you think?
Rate this book
Exile: A Conversation with N. T. Wright
Few New Testament scholars of recent decades have set the pitch for academic discussion and debate in their field like N. T. Wright. His signature contention, that Israel's continuing exile was a pivotal issue in the emergence of Christianity, has found a central place in contemporary New Testament scholarship. Israel had grievously sinned against Yahweh and suffered the judgment of exile from its land. But even though Israel had returned, the majority of Jews of the second temple era regarded themselves in paradoxical exile under Roman rule and still awaiting their full restoration. It was this crisis of exile that reached its climax and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This, according to N. T. Wright, is the controlling narrative that shaped the thinking of Jesus and Paul. While many find this a compelling key to understanding the New Testament, critical responses also abound. This book engages a variety of scholars in conversation with Wright's thesis. The scene is set in an introduction by James M. Scott, who has made significant contributions to the debate. Then, in a programmatic essay, Wright clearly restates his thesis. Next come eleven essays from scholars such as Walter Brueggemann, Philip Alexander, Jörn Kiefer, Dorothy Peters, and Scot McKnight. They interact with Wright's thesis from various Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, early Judaism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the New Testament. Hans Boersma and Ephraim Radner then engage Wright's thesis from theological perspectives. Finally, Wright offers a lively response to his interlocutors. A Conversation with N. T. Wright takes our understanding of this critical issue to a new level. It is essential reading for anyone engaged with Wright's work and the Jewish setting of Jesus and Paul.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2017
11 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 21, 2024
2024 reads: 12
Rating: 3.5 stars
It's hard not to embrace Wright as in a league of his own. His opening essay concisely gathers his argument variously articulated across his work and, as per usual, offers a whimsical and penetrating thesis. The responding essays, barring Alexander and Kugler, were underwhelming. Half the time I was scratching my head given the way the respondents chose to interact (or in some cases not) with Wright's work. To top it off, Wright offers a closing response wherein he actually delivers some sharp critique of several of the contributing authors. Of course, Wright's delightful wit and humor are never far behind. In any case, this edited volume is somewhat of a mixed bag. If you're going to read anything read Wright.
Rating: 3.5 stars
It's hard not to embrace Wright as in a league of his own. His opening essay concisely gathers his argument variously articulated across his work and, as per usual, offers a whimsical and penetrating thesis. The responding essays, barring Alexander and Kugler, were underwhelming. Half the time I was scratching my head given the way the respondents chose to interact (or in some cases not) with Wright's work. To top it off, Wright offers a closing response wherein he actually delivers some sharp critique of several of the contributing authors. Of course, Wright's delightful wit and humor are never far behind. In any case, this edited volume is somewhat of a mixed bag. If you're going to read anything read Wright.
August 24, 2017
Exile: A Conversation with N. T. Wright edited by James M. Scott brings together 11 scholars from various academic backgrounds and disciplines to interact and engage with a controversial aspect of Wright’s New Testament worldview—an ongoing narrative of exile that underlines the heartbeat of the Second Temple period. Wright has expressed this topic in various forums and has developed it at length in a number of his books, including the magisterial two volume work Paul and the Faithfulness of God (Fortress Press, 2013).
The essays that comprise Exile are mostly edited and expanded from an engagement at Trinity Western University in November 2010. The volume opens with a sizable essay (60 pages) by Wright. This is the lead essay of which the contributing scholars will interact with and engage in the many pages that follow. The book is divided into four parts: (1) Old Testament/Hebrew Bible/Septuagint with essays by Walter Brueggemann, Robert J. V. Hiebert, and Jörn Kiefer; (2) Early Judaism with essays by Philip Alexander, Robert Kugler, and Dorothy M. Peters; (3) New Testament with essays by Scot McKnight, S. A. Cummins, and Timo Eskola; and (4) Theology with essays by Hans Boersma and Ephraim Radner. The volume appropriately gives Wright the final word and includes another sizeable essay in response to the collective work of the above scholars.
Wright’s work is notoriously witty and dense with complexity. The opening essay was a well-articulated and refreshing (re)affirmation of Wright’s exile thesis. The scope of the essay is quite breathtaking given the space, and Wright takes full advantage of the opportunity to explain his case. Wright’s claim isn’t that all Jews believed they were still in exile, but that some did, and Jesus and his followers picked up this belief as a chief resolution of the gospel message. In short, this essay is an essential starting point for both acquainted and non-acquainted readers. Wright has boiled down a lot of thought into these pages, and each and every word matters greatly for the road ahead. The engagement that follows is what many would expect from a multi-authored work, but the overall sense of argument and tone of the book is clear and pointed. The goal of the volume is to further the conversation, and this it most certainly accomplishes. The standout essays include “Not All Gloom and Doom: Positive Interpretations of Exile and Diaspora in the Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism” by Jörn Kiefer, “Exile to the Land: N. T. Wright’s Exile Theory as Organic to Judaism” by Scot McKnight, and all three essays on early Judaism.
Exile: A Conversation with N. T. Wright edited by James M. Scott demonstrates how academic dialog should be given and received. As Wright closes, “these eleven essays, in their different ways, have done what academic conversation ought to do: that is, they have compelled me to think through once more what exactly I have been wanting to say, and (I hope) how to say it more sharply” (p. 332). The only shortcoming of this volume is that some of the contributors assume a certain level of knowledge that some readers may not possess. But, most readers that are picking up a book with such title should know the journey they are about to embark on. It accomplishes its goal of furthering the conversation and I am excited to see where this volume takes us. One can only hope that it’s out of Exile. It comes highly recommended!
The essays that comprise Exile are mostly edited and expanded from an engagement at Trinity Western University in November 2010. The volume opens with a sizable essay (60 pages) by Wright. This is the lead essay of which the contributing scholars will interact with and engage in the many pages that follow. The book is divided into four parts: (1) Old Testament/Hebrew Bible/Septuagint with essays by Walter Brueggemann, Robert J. V. Hiebert, and Jörn Kiefer; (2) Early Judaism with essays by Philip Alexander, Robert Kugler, and Dorothy M. Peters; (3) New Testament with essays by Scot McKnight, S. A. Cummins, and Timo Eskola; and (4) Theology with essays by Hans Boersma and Ephraim Radner. The volume appropriately gives Wright the final word and includes another sizeable essay in response to the collective work of the above scholars.
Wright’s work is notoriously witty and dense with complexity. The opening essay was a well-articulated and refreshing (re)affirmation of Wright’s exile thesis. The scope of the essay is quite breathtaking given the space, and Wright takes full advantage of the opportunity to explain his case. Wright’s claim isn’t that all Jews believed they were still in exile, but that some did, and Jesus and his followers picked up this belief as a chief resolution of the gospel message. In short, this essay is an essential starting point for both acquainted and non-acquainted readers. Wright has boiled down a lot of thought into these pages, and each and every word matters greatly for the road ahead. The engagement that follows is what many would expect from a multi-authored work, but the overall sense of argument and tone of the book is clear and pointed. The goal of the volume is to further the conversation, and this it most certainly accomplishes. The standout essays include “Not All Gloom and Doom: Positive Interpretations of Exile and Diaspora in the Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism” by Jörn Kiefer, “Exile to the Land: N. T. Wright’s Exile Theory as Organic to Judaism” by Scot McKnight, and all three essays on early Judaism.
Exile: A Conversation with N. T. Wright edited by James M. Scott demonstrates how academic dialog should be given and received. As Wright closes, “these eleven essays, in their different ways, have done what academic conversation ought to do: that is, they have compelled me to think through once more what exactly I have been wanting to say, and (I hope) how to say it more sharply” (p. 332). The only shortcoming of this volume is that some of the contributors assume a certain level of knowledge that some readers may not possess. But, most readers that are picking up a book with such title should know the journey they are about to embark on. It accomplishes its goal of furthering the conversation and I am excited to see where this volume takes us. One can only hope that it’s out of Exile. It comes highly recommended!
October 29, 2017
In some circles he’s ignored, in certain groups he’s mildly tolerated, in a few he’s the target of scorn, and in others he’s loved. Yet he takes it all in normally good humor, never dismissive, and almost always with thoughtful replies that draw the reader to the issue and not to the man. A prime example is the new 336 page hardback “Exile: A Conversation with N.T. Wright”. Editor James M. Scott, professor of religious studies at Trinity Western University, British Columbia, Canada, masterfully convened numerous scholars to accomplish exactly what the subtitle states, have a conversation with N.T. Wright, specifically on his theme of “exile”. Many of the chapters are papers that were presented at Trinity Western University in November 2010, while a few others have been added “to provide additional coverage of the subject from other perspective” (preface). The volume is a fairly technical discussion, but comprehendible by perceptive readers.
“Exile” launches with a lead article by Wright that carefully reiterates the theme of exile that he has mapped out in numerous works through the decades. Many of the premises will be familiar to long-time readers of Wright. He takes in hand to show how “exile” was a major paradigmatic outlook leading up to the arrival of Jesus, and a backdrop to Paul. He displays once more how from within this framework Jesus redefined “who Israel is, what the land and Torah are, and where the temple really is” (48). Then he turns to Paul, and the way the cross has rewritten the meaning and aim of creation and new creation, Israel, Torah, and humanity. Finally, Wright revisits the intention of God’s salvific work; “In the New Testament the rescue of human beings from sin and death, which remains vital throughout, serves a much larger purpose, namely that of God’s restorative justice for the whole creation” (79).
Eleven scholars then converse with Wright about “exile,” some highly supportive and others fairly critical. The first set of responses cover the Old Testament of both the Hebrew texts and the Greek Septuagint. Walter Brueggemann chimes in immediately taking Wright to task for forcing the notion of continuing exile onto the cognitive environment of the Second Temple period. Robert J.V. Herbert delves deeply into the Septuagint’s interpretation of Hebrew to exhibit by what means the translators’ “perception of themselves as living in a state of continuing exile” (116-7) come forth in their translation. Jörn Kiefer concludes the first section by positing that in the Hebrew Scriptures “exile and diaspora are not necessarily and primarily a story of gloom and doom” (124).
The second part looks into early Judaism. Philip Alexander wonders if modern Zionism hasn’t influenced some Christian scholarship, and then moves on to build the case that Jewish Nationalism was a potent force in the centuries leading up to Jesus, a nationalism that was an “unshakeable belief that the Jewish people had a divine destiny to live in freedom in their own land, worshipping their own God” (154). Next, Robert Krugler examines the community that surrounded the Dead Sea Scrolls and concludes that the Scrolls show “that notions of God predetermining the moment of history’s conclusion and active participation in that can be made to live together, even if the fit might seem a bit uncomfortable to the modern reader” (182). Lastly, Dorothy M. Peters returns to the Dead Sea Scrolls, and claims that the Essenes “had the same hope as did most Second Temple Jews, that exile would end and that they would be restored to a purified land,” and of all the possible means of ending the exile, Jesus’ movement “of loving their enemies, blessing those who cursed them, or a dying, suffering servant Messiah” was not in their game book (197).
The flow of “Exile” continues on to examine the New Testament. To keep Jesus from being reduced to a means of individual redemption, Scott McKnight proposes a new way to hear the biblical story that “tells a christological narrative that generates salvation for those who enter into that christological narrative” (207). Warmly embracing Wright’s model, S.A. Cummins finds that Paul “acknowledges above all the transcendent and unfolding providence of a gracious God, and the complete contingency of creation and humanity” that sees the exile as “fully overcome and restoration finally realized within the eschatological outworking of the economy of God” (236). Timo Eskola criticizes Wright for finding too much continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and Paul, and that the apostle should be heard as a preacher of discontinuity and covenant language should not be used in interpreting Paul.
Finally, Systematic Theology sits down with Wright, and gives him a two-fold lecture. To begin with, Hans Boersma thinks that Wright has wondered too far from his Western-Platonic roots, and speculates that “Wright is much more susceptible to the charge of deism than is the orthodox Western tradition” (270). The last participant in the conversation, Ephraim Radner, labors hard to set up a figural reading of Scripture’s narrative that becomes a general tale existentially imbedded in an individual’s life-story. Of all the chapters, these last two are the spiciest.
N.T. Wright has the concluding word in “Exile,” answering each of the conversation-partners. To hear Wright interacting with each author adds clarity to the whole project. Wright closes by voicing some disappointment; “Rather to my surprise, I have found myself defending two of the Reformers’ principle watchwords: solus Christus on the one hand, sola Scriptura on the other” (332).
“Exile” is helpful at different levels. Not only is it good to read Wright’s concise reassertion of his thesis; but it is beneficial to listen in as others tangle with the whole program. The book is obviously not a love-in. There are disagreements, challenges, affirmations and deliberations. Sometimes it’s a genuine conversation, at other times writers are telling and tattling. I’m grateful to James M. Scott for orchestrating the material, and gladly recommend it to any and all who desire to better comprehend one aspect of N.T. Wright’s theme.
Thanks to IVP Academic for providing, upon my request, the free copy of the book used for this review. The assessments are mine given without restrictions or requirements (as per Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255).
“Exile” launches with a lead article by Wright that carefully reiterates the theme of exile that he has mapped out in numerous works through the decades. Many of the premises will be familiar to long-time readers of Wright. He takes in hand to show how “exile” was a major paradigmatic outlook leading up to the arrival of Jesus, and a backdrop to Paul. He displays once more how from within this framework Jesus redefined “who Israel is, what the land and Torah are, and where the temple really is” (48). Then he turns to Paul, and the way the cross has rewritten the meaning and aim of creation and new creation, Israel, Torah, and humanity. Finally, Wright revisits the intention of God’s salvific work; “In the New Testament the rescue of human beings from sin and death, which remains vital throughout, serves a much larger purpose, namely that of God’s restorative justice for the whole creation” (79).
Eleven scholars then converse with Wright about “exile,” some highly supportive and others fairly critical. The first set of responses cover the Old Testament of both the Hebrew texts and the Greek Septuagint. Walter Brueggemann chimes in immediately taking Wright to task for forcing the notion of continuing exile onto the cognitive environment of the Second Temple period. Robert J.V. Herbert delves deeply into the Septuagint’s interpretation of Hebrew to exhibit by what means the translators’ “perception of themselves as living in a state of continuing exile” (116-7) come forth in their translation. Jörn Kiefer concludes the first section by positing that in the Hebrew Scriptures “exile and diaspora are not necessarily and primarily a story of gloom and doom” (124).
The second part looks into early Judaism. Philip Alexander wonders if modern Zionism hasn’t influenced some Christian scholarship, and then moves on to build the case that Jewish Nationalism was a potent force in the centuries leading up to Jesus, a nationalism that was an “unshakeable belief that the Jewish people had a divine destiny to live in freedom in their own land, worshipping their own God” (154). Next, Robert Krugler examines the community that surrounded the Dead Sea Scrolls and concludes that the Scrolls show “that notions of God predetermining the moment of history’s conclusion and active participation in that can be made to live together, even if the fit might seem a bit uncomfortable to the modern reader” (182). Lastly, Dorothy M. Peters returns to the Dead Sea Scrolls, and claims that the Essenes “had the same hope as did most Second Temple Jews, that exile would end and that they would be restored to a purified land,” and of all the possible means of ending the exile, Jesus’ movement “of loving their enemies, blessing those who cursed them, or a dying, suffering servant Messiah” was not in their game book (197).
The flow of “Exile” continues on to examine the New Testament. To keep Jesus from being reduced to a means of individual redemption, Scott McKnight proposes a new way to hear the biblical story that “tells a christological narrative that generates salvation for those who enter into that christological narrative” (207). Warmly embracing Wright’s model, S.A. Cummins finds that Paul “acknowledges above all the transcendent and unfolding providence of a gracious God, and the complete contingency of creation and humanity” that sees the exile as “fully overcome and restoration finally realized within the eschatological outworking of the economy of God” (236). Timo Eskola criticizes Wright for finding too much continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and Paul, and that the apostle should be heard as a preacher of discontinuity and covenant language should not be used in interpreting Paul.
Finally, Systematic Theology sits down with Wright, and gives him a two-fold lecture. To begin with, Hans Boersma thinks that Wright has wondered too far from his Western-Platonic roots, and speculates that “Wright is much more susceptible to the charge of deism than is the orthodox Western tradition” (270). The last participant in the conversation, Ephraim Radner, labors hard to set up a figural reading of Scripture’s narrative that becomes a general tale existentially imbedded in an individual’s life-story. Of all the chapters, these last two are the spiciest.
N.T. Wright has the concluding word in “Exile,” answering each of the conversation-partners. To hear Wright interacting with each author adds clarity to the whole project. Wright closes by voicing some disappointment; “Rather to my surprise, I have found myself defending two of the Reformers’ principle watchwords: solus Christus on the one hand, sola Scriptura on the other” (332).
“Exile” is helpful at different levels. Not only is it good to read Wright’s concise reassertion of his thesis; but it is beneficial to listen in as others tangle with the whole program. The book is obviously not a love-in. There are disagreements, challenges, affirmations and deliberations. Sometimes it’s a genuine conversation, at other times writers are telling and tattling. I’m grateful to James M. Scott for orchestrating the material, and gladly recommend it to any and all who desire to better comprehend one aspect of N.T. Wright’s theme.
Thanks to IVP Academic for providing, upon my request, the free copy of the book used for this review. The assessments are mine given without restrictions or requirements (as per Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255).
May 28, 2023
The volume overall was enjoyable to read, and I appreciated the range of perspectives and disciplines represented (e.g., systematics, biblical studies, Jewish studies, etc).
Focusing on Wright's thesis, I think it was thoroughly vindicated by the volume's end: Jesus principally presented himself as the one in and through whom the narrative of Israel's exile and return to a restored kingdom comes to its climax.
Focusing on Wright's thesis, I think it was thoroughly vindicated by the volume's end: Jesus principally presented himself as the one in and through whom the narrative of Israel's exile and return to a restored kingdom comes to its climax.
December 2, 2021
This is an excellent book for fans of Wright, but maybe a bit tedious for those who aren't as acquainted with his work.
Wright's lead essay is outstanding, and a wonderful distillation of how the theme of "exile" permeates his massive body of work. Honestly, having that essay alone is probably worth the price of the book. The remainder of it is a collection of various essays that range in quality. A few are overly technical and dry, and a few are disappointingly short (cough, Brueggeman, cough), but some are excellent. I particularly appreciated the contributions from Philip Alexander, Scot McKnight and Hans Boersma (although Wright clearly had issues with Boersma's critique, I found it very thought provoking).
In general, the experience of reading this gives you a deeper appreciation for how "exile" shapes Wright's work, what is at stake in the discussion, why it is controversial in some circles, and why it is really worth thinking about. Again, this is material for those who are pretty immersed in the biblical studies conversations around Wright's work, but for those who are, it's great stuff.
Wright's lead essay is outstanding, and a wonderful distillation of how the theme of "exile" permeates his massive body of work. Honestly, having that essay alone is probably worth the price of the book. The remainder of it is a collection of various essays that range in quality. A few are overly technical and dry, and a few are disappointingly short (cough, Brueggeman, cough), but some are excellent. I particularly appreciated the contributions from Philip Alexander, Scot McKnight and Hans Boersma (although Wright clearly had issues with Boersma's critique, I found it very thought provoking).
In general, the experience of reading this gives you a deeper appreciation for how "exile" shapes Wright's work, what is at stake in the discussion, why it is controversial in some circles, and why it is really worth thinking about. Again, this is material for those who are pretty immersed in the biblical studies conversations around Wright's work, but for those who are, it's great stuff.
October 18, 2020
Great book! The book opens with an essay by N. T. Wright dealing with various Jewish communities and the first century understanding that the nation was still in exile. Though "Israel" may have been "in the land," the evidence of an understanding of continuing exile as a consequence of their covenant violations was evident throughout Second Temple writings. Essays follow that engage Write and the topic of exile in four major sections: (1) Old Testament/Hebrew Bible/Septuagint; (2) Early Judaism; (3) New Testament; and (4) Theology. The book concludes with Wright's brief interaction with the main objections/engagements with him and his arguments.
Again, this is a great read. This is an important topic for those who want to understand Scripture, particularly the New Testament and its context.
Again, this is a great read. This is an important topic for those who want to understand Scripture, particularly the New Testament and its context.
September 29, 2017
Very insightful scholarly essays interacting with N.T. Wright concerning his understanding of continuing "exile" and Second Temple Judaism.
Read
May 24, 2018This book is targeted at the advanced reader, with the theological reflections deeper than what popular level audiences could wade in. Indeed the reader would have to be well acquainted with the many biblical references (multiple chapters at a time), so as not to engage in referring back and forth to Scripture from an open bible (software).
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews