Interesting and Deep

I liked this book, but honestly, it was difficult to get through. The book is deep and not always easy to understand. I wish the writing was a little easier to grasp. Often I found the language complex when simplicity would have been more appropriate.

8 people found this helpful

Like reading a commentary on audio

Definitely a hard listen. It's like reading a commentary on audio. I found myself having to rewind to listen again to what he says many times. If you want to really understand what he's saying I would suggest buying the book instead for this.

8 people found this helpful

Second time around

Any additional comments?

When I originally purchased this audiobook and gave it a listen, I couldn't follow it at all, for I was completely alien to the context, the scholars debates and the different perspectives out there. Without a basic awareness of these things, N.T Wrights writings on Paul, didn't have any shelf to rest on, it was all Greek to me. But now several years later, having become a little more familiar with the issues, I listened to the book again and found it really interesting, so good in fact, that I may listen to it again and take notes.This work compilation of of lectures on matters of what Wright expounds on much more elsewhere, some of Wrights insights are subtle; that don't necessarily stick out or seem ground-breaking on the surface, even now I can follow him, if I am not paying close attention, what he writes brush right past me. But I have found when I do truly listen to what he is saying, Wright often is illuminating and does have some fresh perspectives

2 people found this helpful

Stimulating Read, Yet Unclear on Justification

Overall I really enjoyed this challenge to: re-examine the linguistic context of scripture with relation to Paul, and examine afresh his ecclesiastical theology. Yet, I find John Piper correct in asserting that N.T. Wright's message on justification less than clarion in explanation, and unconvincing.

1 person found this helpful

chapters mistaged, otherwise great!

I've read a chunk of Wright's Jesus stuff, including his academic stuff. This book was really a really good"big picture" book for his Pauline stuff. I also like to narrators accent, very appropriate.. the only thing was that the book Is 8 chapters, but this is divided into 7 that aren't even close to where the actual chapters are..

1 person found this helpful

Not written for laymen

Hard book to get through, one must pay full attention and even then he is really hard to follow.
But there are some interesting tid bits I've walked away with, so it was not necessarily a waste of time.

1 person found this helpful

Must be a scholar…. Preferably doctoral level

The author is much more interested in demonstrating his intellect than actually presenting a work that might instruct someone who simply wants to understand who Paul was. I couldn’t get past chapter three and was totally confused the entire time and I happen to have a PhD… I would not recommend this book to anyone other than a Cambridge grad

Great book.

great book. The timer is off though, so it doesn't line up with the chapter breaks.

Powerful and concise

This book by Wright is one of the most, if not the most, powerful yet condensed readings of the apostle Paul. In it Wright proposes new categories for a theology of Paul’s letters built around a reworking of monotheism, election and eschatology. Not by Wright but by Paul. For those who would take this to heart, everything in those letters becomes more and more clear and comprehensible when viewed within these reworked categories. The narration is also superb.

Subtle, difficult in places and worth it

Book great. Narrator needs to brush up on pronunciation of Hebrew words. Doesn’t cut it to have a snotty English academic accent and mispronounce common Hebrew words from the Bible.