Part of our commitment to theOoze is to review books they send us. This time I jumped at the opportunity to review NT Wright's latest installment in his series of 3 called 'After You Believe'. But before I could read this one I made a point to finish the first two (to try to get a perspective of Wright's progression of ideas).

After You Believe is preceded by Surprised by Hope, an exceptional work that challenges the conservative Christian perspective of heaven (that we say a prayer and go to heaven by eternity.) It's not only a challenge but quite simply a return to orthodoxy. I found Surprised by Hope to be an exceptional contemporary work that should hit everyone's must read list.

Simply Christian precedes Surprised by Hope. Simply Christian is another gem, not quite on par with Surprised by Hope IMO, but best described as a contemporary 'Mere Christianity'.

But of course, this post is about 'After You Believe'. Admittedly, the third was my least favorite, however, that's not to suggest it's not an important read. Rather, the first two, especially Surprised by Hope, were of exceptional value that could not be matched in the third. (I was reading Brian Mclaren's latest while reading After you Believe and the former doesn't hold water against the latter.)

Simply Christian dealt with the 'urges of humanity (beauty, relationships, justice, spirituality)'; Surprised by Hope deal with Heaven & Kingdom language; AFter you Believe dealt with Christian character.

Wright re-uses the term 'virtue' to highlight the need for Christians to adopt more than vein morality goals or individual authenticity when it comes to maturing in Christ. He compares three primary ways people approach their faith:

1: The wait for Heaven Option (condemning and discarding this world a la evangelicals right-wing)

2: The work for the Kingdom Option (a la left wing)

3: The live out by way of Anticipating the Kingdom

The third option is Wright's proposition to reclaim virtue in Christian culture that's barely skin deep.

Wright is not the most accessible writer, but given his content and scholarship he IS highly accessible. For that reason it makes sense for Christians to pay attention to the message he is trying to communicate. It's not necessary to accept everything he's saying part and parcel, but it DOES emphasize the need to accept his words as grounded in scholarship and orthodoxy.

The conversation obviously extends beyond virtues and character, including church systems and interesting expositions on passages in Romans and Corinthians to support his ‘KIngdom’ perspective (which is in many ways the antithesis of the unfortunately popular neo-reformed perspective).

In the very least, permit all three of his books to alter your Christian paradigm. After all, where you settle is where you'll die.