I've decided that N.T Wright is at his most interesting (and usually his most thought provoking) when he writes with a bit of an edge in his voice. That was certainly the case at the beginning of Justification where he takes on the critiques of John Piper and others in the reformed camp who had failed to understand his doctrine of justification. It's also the case here, where Wright confronts traditional readings of the Gospel that have, in his view, failed to miss the point.

The central question Wright poses in this volume is what are we to do with the middle portions of the Gospels? Usually Orthodoxy skips directly from the incarnation to the crucifixion. While the middle part isn't ignored, we're not entirely sure where it fits beyond containing some interesting biographical material and a proof or two for Jesus' divinity.

According to Wright, that's not the point at all. Rather the Gospels are telling us about how Jesus became King and established the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. The middle parts of the Gospels are more than just interesting side material that we get through in anticipation of the truly important material found in the passion narratives. Rather they are essential to understanding what incarnation and cross are truly all about.

In reviewing Wright's book from last fall, Simply Jesus, I expressed some disappointment that it was geared for more of a popular level audience rather than being a deeply scholarly work which I would prefer. I have some of the same feelings about this one, but I'm much more compelled to overlook them here. Wright's message is simply too important. While I selfishly wish he would have written a more scholarly book, having a popular level read that is highly accessible is an invaluable resource. The implications of this book are enormous for ecclesiology and missiology. Every thinking Christian, regardless of if they're academically minded or not, needs to pick this one up and read it. It's that good and that important.