I enjoyed this interview with N.T. Wright. He has some interesting things to say about being in both the academy and the church. I was particularly motivated by the eagerness to engage those with whom he knew he would disagree because it kept him thinking. Let me know your thoughts.
March 1, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Thanks for pointing on this video. I hadn’t seen it before. I love it, though I am admittedly a huge Wright fan. I’m always inspired by what inspires him, and then how he pursues and communicates those interests. For example, his devotion to reading the Old and New Testaments on a daily basis in the original languages–very convicting to me. At ETS this year as he engaged off the cuff during the panel discussion, I was again amazed at the depth and breadth of his knowledge of the biblical text. I also very much appreciate, as he put it, those themes that tie together his thinking: first-century Jews waiting for their story to reach a climax, the hope of heaven and earth coming together at the eschaton, and Jesus standing at the center of these two realities, which in turn fuel his passion to know the real Jesus in real history for the good of today’s church, which is what he wants most to be remembered for. Great stuff! And lastly, his desire to read those with whom he disagrees, those who challenge him to think in new ways, who ask questions that might be considered off limits but point in new directions. Such a discipline is in short supply in today’s church. I could go on, but you get the drift of my admiration
March 2, 2011 at 8:40 am
@Tom: I share your admiration. I have enjoyed reading Wright over the years and this video captures much of what makes him special.