This book offers a brief, clear and incisive introduction to the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts is a substantial book, sitting right in the middle of the New Testament, looking back to the four Gospels and on to the mission of the early churches. It provides a framework for our understanding of the New Testament letters. It also shows us what it means to think of the gospel of Jesus, Israel's Messiah, going out into the world over which Israel's Messiah claims the status of Lord.
Tom Wright explains how this meant confronting the wider culture of the Greek and Roman world, as well as the culture of the Jewish world. All of this is to be found in Acts, providing much food for thought as we ourselves face new questions about gospel and culture in our own day.
Contents
1 Acts 1.1-11: To the Ends of the Earth! 2 Acts 1-4: The New Temple 3 Acts 5-8: Mission and Martyrdom 4 Acts 9-12: Breaking Through the Gentile Barrier 5 Acts 13-16: Converts and Controversy 6 Acts 17-20: Completing the Circle 7 Acts 17.16-34: The Unknown God? 8 Acts 21-24: Trouble in Jerusalem 9 Acts 25-28: And So to Rome
About the Author :
N.T. WRIGHT is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England 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. For twenty years he taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill and Oxford Universities. As being both one of the world’s leading Bible scholars and a popular author, he has been featured on ABC News, Dateline, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air. His award-winning books include The Case for the Psalms, How God Became King, Simply Jesus, After You Believe, Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, Scripture and the Authority of God, The Meaning of Jesus (co-authored with Marcus Borg), as well as being the translator for The Kingdom New Testament. He also wrote the impressive Christian Origins and the Question of God series, including The New Testament and the People of God, Jesus and the Victory of God, The Resurrection of the Son of God and most recently, Paul and the Faithfulness of God.
Review :
Wright brings out not only the key points of the story of Acts but also (and more importantly) the theological ideas embodied in the story.
Like a good tour guide, Wright takes us to the biggest highlights, shows us some artifacts that most might miss, and ably explains why it should matter to us today.
Tom Wright describes Acts as 'a page-turner'. The same could be said for Wright's interpretative reflections on Acts, as he explores its twists of plot and overarching themes.
Wright presents his insights in a highly readable, engaging, and often witty way, developing pervasive themes in Acts.
This brief and accessible commentary not only charts a clear course through the twists and turns of Luke's action-packed narrative, it also offers numerous insights into the practical and theological relevance of Acts for Christians today.
Illuminating, beautifully written, and rooted in good scholarship. Read it - you will benefit.
