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Sep 06, 2007

Elizabeth rated it:

I went into this a little wary, just because the book (and the author) has received a lot of hype-- Anne Rice went so far as to call it better than the C.S. Lewis classic Mere Christianity. I might not go that far, but it is a very solid, inspiring book. I hesitate to call anything so new a "classic", but I truly believe that this will be a classic, someday. One thing that I liked is the way that Wright (who is an Anglican bishop) explained the continuity (or cohesion) of the Bible. He More...

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Jun 17, 2008

Skylar rated it:

N.T. Wright never seems to settle on a single audience or a single purpose for this book, which makes it appear disorganized and ultimately renders it ineffective. He begins Simply Christians as a seeming apologetic, speaking of our longings for justice, truth, and beauty the same way C.S. Lewis argued from the existence of a moral sense to the existence of God, but he doesn't ever bring these arguments to convincing culmination.

Despite the book's subtitle "Why Christianity Mak More...

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May 06, 2010

Jocelyn rated it:

This seems like kind of a basic book for a professional Christian (so to speak) to read, but I was curious. It's a kind of 21st-century "Mere Christianity" with less apologia and more ecclesia. What I like about Wright's approach is that he stresses the "renewal of creation" salvation theory more than the "atonement for sin" theory. And, speaking of sin, I am frankly quite envious of how many books this man has written. And, speaking of C. S. Lewis knock-offs, I see More...

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Feb 24, 2011

Claus rated it:

There are a lot of similarities between Tom Wright and C.S. Lewis. Their writing style is quite similar, and they both have a delightful affection for parentheses (delightful, because I share that affection).

Also, it is hardly a surprise that the title of Wright's book "Simply Christian" is strikingly similar to Lewis' "Mere Christianity". In fact, as I was reading the first chapter of Wright's book (which talks about the sense of ethics that all people seem to shar More...

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Jan 23, 2008

Jon rated it:

Simple, yet far from simplistic, this may be one of the most important books I've read. Tom Wright set forth the key issues of the Gospel in a way that's easily accessible to both studied Christians and people who just want to know what Christianity is actually all about. Many political and theological issues have become hot-button topics and seem to be litmus tests among different Christian communities for how good of a Christian someone is, and unfortunately many of those are actually fringe i More...

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Dec 17, 2009

Isaac rated it:

This is my second N.T. Wright book and enjoyed it far more than the first.

"Simply Christian" certainly lives up to its title and was quite simple yet fantastically intelligent and well written. I would suggest this book to anyone interested in Christianity or to Christians who appear to have lost an understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

My only frustration with this book is that it encourages me with a picture of what it means to be "Simply Ch More...

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Feb 05, 2009

Andrew rated it:

Review originally published in "Baker News and Reviews" June 2007

What are the core questions of the human condition and how do we find the answers? Where does religion fit into our post-modern or even post-secular world? Does the Bible matter anymore? Who is God?

Author/theologian N.T. Wright offers ‘simple’ answers to these challenging questions in his new book, Simply Christian.

Beginning with questions that are at the core of the human condition, Wr More...

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Oct 21, 2011

Fiona rated it:

I've read a lot of books on Christianity and its rare these days that I find something that gives me a fresh perspective. Most of the time friends recommend something that 'blew them away' or 'opened their eyes' or 'challenged them' and I think, 'yeah, yeah, been there, done that.' But this book really did open my eyes. The thing that grabbed me the most is Tom Wright's description of the overlapping of heaven and earth in sacred places and in our hearts. So much so that when my daughter the oth More...

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Sep 30, 2011

Nathan rated it:

The goal of this book is to introduce the major themes of Christianity to someone who may not know the Christian message but is interested in more, or someone who has long been part of the church but is confused as to what the big deal is all about. Wright does an amazing job of explaining difficult ideas in everyday, understandable language that is both accessible and easy while also being deep and expansive. He starts the book by explaining four things all humans long for and likening them t More...

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Aug 29, 2011

Ron rated it:

There ought to be a !/2 star system on this site. N.T. Wright is clear and lucid and makes a clear argument for the traditional Christian understanding of itself. The word faith, in Christian terms, can mean Faith, a synonym for The Church or it can mean that act of will by which Christians hold on to those beliefs and more or less walk the walk. I like that he points out that the Latin word for faith can be as correctly translated as fidelity which resonates more with fidelity and trust which a More...

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Jun 06, 2011

Jason rated it:

The church has been looking for a voice like CS Lewis for a long time. He's a guy who people quote, even when they're from radically different traditions within the church, even when some of his views would be considered heretical. (For all the flap Rob Bell took, Lewis would be crucified, so to speak). Anyway, I believe N.T. Wright is one of those voices. He's a guy who takes the scriptures incredibly seriously (and credibly, btw), so "conservatives" have to take him seriously and h More...

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Apr 30, 2011

Ben rated it:

In Simply Christian, N.T. Wright makes the case for Christianity and outlines, at a basic level, what believing in Jesus is all about. The book has been compared to Mere Christianity. There are definitely some comparisons between the two (including their titles), but I wouldn't take it too far. Mere Christianity reads as an apologetic for the foundations of Christian faith while Simply Christian reads as an entry level primer into Wright's thought.

Overall, I got quite a bit less out More...

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Jul 31, 2011

Jacob rated it:

So, this book was excellent. I have come off of a summer of reading somewhat dry books (Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Heidegger [which still is not completed...]). It was a nice relief to read a book that serves as an excellent introduction to Wright's thought (note that I have not read any of his other work, but due to Biologos and such, this seems to be the case).

Perhaps it is my Southern Baptist church I attend at home, but Wright's view of Scripture and Prayer--the use of LITURGY!- More...

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Aug 08, 2011

Jeff rated it:

I devoured this book. Wright makes it so easy for people to read his writing, especially those from a postmodern perspective. His opening chapters help masterfully weave the book together into a coherent piece, which at the end made me stand back in the beauty of the work of art he came up with in describing the Christian faith and how faith works in today's world. And Wright did part of what he encourages readers to do, to help put the world to rights with God by explaining things in a fresh More...

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Aug 19, 2010

Todd rated it:

N.T. Wright wrote this to explain the faith to non-Christians, but also to shed some much-needed light for lifelong believers. Wow - he hit this one out the park. It's even better than [gasp!:] Mere Christianity. I'd highly recommend this book to friends who have questions about the faith.

Not everything N.T. Wright says is pure gold, but this book is close. And it gives an inspiring picture of what we're doing here and what God is doing for and through us.

"Despite w More...

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Aug 01, 2011

Timothy rated it:

This is a great introduction to Christianity for non-Christians, new Christians and old Christians alike. It is a relatively easy read for a basic introduction to Christianity as a whole. He sets the Christian worldview against the two main options: (a) pantheism or panentheism where God and the creation is a unified monism and (b) where God is alien from his creation and has little or no interaction in it. He argues for a third option, that God enters into his creation and does great and mighty More...

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Aug 22, 2011

Randall rated it:

In this apologetic Wright explains how Christianity makes perfect sense from the perspective of our yearning for justice, spirituality, relationships and beauty. In the first section, "Echoes of a Voice," he describes these universal human longings and posits that each one points beyond itself. Part two, "Staring at the Sun," lays out the basic Christian beliefs about God and how the echoes of part one make sense in light of these tenets. The book concludes with "Refl More...

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Aug 30, 2010

Adrienna rated it:

In the early pages, it read like a scholarly theologian and made me read his bio to see....okay makes sense. Later, he opened up more in layman terms for the average readers to see what this "Christianity" thing is all about and loved the ending the best. The chapter "Believing and Belonging" should be the basis of the book!

"Christian faith isn't a general religious awareness...It is the faith which hears Jesus story...he is the world true Lord and responses More...

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Jul 27, 2011

Bryan added it

For someone of N.T. Wright's caliber and ability to relate things, well simply, this book was a real disappointment. It's not at all clear who the audience was. I certainly wouldn't give this book to a skeptic or a seeker because the gospel is not at all clear. He majors on minor issues and minors on majors. There were helpful and even beautiful nuggets throughout (particularly his chapter on prayer), but most of them are also found in "Surprised by Hope," which is a much, much bet More...

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Jul 11, 2009

Jeff rated it:

This is perhaps the best and most comprehensive overview of Christianity i have ever read. Written for both Christians and Non-Christians alike-this book is testament to Wrights ability as a writer and communicator. It is truly the fruit of years and years of scholarly work which he condenses into one of the simplest yet fullest expressions of the Christian faith to date.

Christians will be reminded that we are to live as resurrection people here and now, which means we need to become More...

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Mar 14, 2011

Steve rated it:

NT Wright is heralded to be CS Lewis of our day, or that is how I have been informed from his fans.

This is the first book of his that i have read, and there are several on my read list.

There are parts of this book that I absolutely thought "excellent, what a great way to explain this truth," there are other parts that are OK.

What I like about this book and perhaps where I am - Go find the truth, seek God in where He is in the issue, event, situa More...

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Dec 29, 2011

Nels rated it:

I liked Wright's clear explanation of Christianity's relevance today, and the book's organization and vocabulary took me by the hand throughout, helping me easily understand his points. He reminded the reader throughout the book of his recurring themes of how humans seek spirituality, long for the world to be put to justice, desire relationships, and create beauty, and I discovered this kept my focus on the bigger picture that he conveyed. These themes illustrate a picture of Christianity that m More...

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Aug 09, 2011

Sofia rated it:

This book claims to be an introduction for those who know nothing about Christianity and may even be a little put off by it, that's why I chose it. In truth, the whole thing feels like a philosophy paper from sophomore year. The author uses vague metaphors and alludes to people, places and events in the Bible that (as a beginner or non-believer) you obviously would not be familiar with. This book left me with the feeling that the author had something very good and inspiring to say, but since it More...

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Sep 15, 2010

Dan rated it:

This is a good intro to the Christian faith for anyone curious or searching as well as a good basic help for new believers. Wright emphasizes the longing for justice, the love of beauty, the desire for relationship, and other things that all humanity shares and argues that only the God of Christianity, the triune God of the Bible, the one true creator God, fulfills these and has a plan for bringing them about in fullness by putting the world to rights through the redemptive work of Jesus and by More...

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Sep 16, 2008

Ron rated it:

Good, not great.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 22, 2010

Amy rated it:

I found this book to be refreshing. I currently find myself in a stagnant spot in my faith and this book reminded me that I am responsible for participating in the Kingdom of Heaven. Although it can't single-handedly move me into high gear, it gave me a nice kick in the butt and ask that I run with it. Following Jesus and listening to God's "rules" places me on the path to leading a full and rich life; being okay with the status quo is not the way of a Christian. Participating in t More...

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Feb 09, 2011

Glesnertod rated it:

in Simply Christian, Wright does a profoundly good job of relating the grand narrative of Christianity simply. In some way, I found the book overly simple. There are times when it seems Wright raises this issue or that, but then seems to move on without coherently tying them through all the loops. But in reality, I think Wright brilliant in his ability to float ideas without having to explain them directly. I think a close reading will lead the reader to seeing that he does indeed address al More...

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Jul 14, 2010

Charles rated it:

Wright begins by describing four desires we each have which reveal “echoes of a voice”: justice, spirituality, relationships, and beauty. We all long for these things, but we can’t quite grasp them in their fullness, nor can we quite articulate them. Why do we long for them? Why do we all seem to desire these things that we can’t reach? And what should we say about them? In Wright’s estimation, we could attribute them to “childish fantasies”, something to be overcome so we can live in the world More...

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Apr 12, 2008

Jason rated it:

An extension of Wright's book could be "why Christianity makes sense to post modern people". This is a fine book, for what it tries to do, which is to clearly explain what Christianity is about. It is not necessarily designed to persuade anyone, other than to show that what the basic Christian story is about is reasonable and worth taking a look in.

Wright, the Anglican Bishop of Durham, and one of the more renowned and accessible to the public, theologians of our day is at More...

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Jun 03, 2008

David rated it:

I preface this review by saying NT Wright is my all time favorite author of Christian theology. This is probably the 8th or 9th book of his I have read. But I do think that if someone is new to Wright, this book is a good place to start.

This book is basically an explanation of the Christian faith. But instead of simply answering questions, Wright presents the Christian faith in the context of common longings all humans have (for justice, beauty, spirituality and relationship). He More...

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