I finally finished N.T. Wright’s New Testament and the People of God today. I started it about two months ago with the goal of finishing it by the end of the year so that I could ask for the next book in the series for Christmas. Well, the goal has been accomplished, although it feels like I have been reading it forever. And, honestly, the book isn’t hugely difficult to read. What made it slow reading for me was that much of what Wright asserted in the book was contrary to the assumptions about first century Christianity and Judaism that I have had since I was a kid. So, I would read a few pages and think about what was written before moving on.

It’s not often you can find someone as smart as Wright who is also deeply passionate about and involved in the life of the church. I find it refreshing and inspiring to find such a voice in Bishop Wright. He is well worth your time.

For those that don’t like reading thick, “academic” type books, he also writes books for a broader Christian audience under the name Tom Wright. I highly reccommend him.