Topic > Following Jesus - 1340

NT Wright's book, Following Jesus, is a collection of biblical reflections on discipleship that includes many of his sermons given as Dean of Lichfield during Lent 1994, among others. The first six chapters provide Wright's insights into the major books of the New Testament by highlighting key themes and connecting passages that point to the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. The remaining six chapters focus on discipleship and actions we can take today, placing the emphasis on living without fear in light of the resurrection of Christ, on the renewing of our minds, on recognizing love as the main weapon against temptation, on recognizing misconceptions about heaven and hell, and on being present as “ people of the resurrection." Wright's thesis is described as “so what?” in the preface. His reflections pick up where the New Testament writers left off. In his words, “…the ball is now in your court; the true Jesus calls you to follow him, to a life of discipleship”. This review will show Wright's idea of ​​who the real Jesus is and what it means to follow Jesus. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England, where he served from 2003 to 2010 before retiring. He is considered an eminent New Testament scholar and currently holds the position of Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews in Scotland. According to his biography, Wright was born in Morpeth, Northumberland in 1948 and grew up in the context of Middle Anglicanism. He said that at age seven or eight he felt called to Christian ministry. In his early adulthood, he trained in the ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, at which time he also married. In 1973 he earned a degree in Theology and......middle of paper......stian, we are called to take the life given to us in the culture and community in which we have been divinely placed and live in the Fearless spirit using our spiritual gifts to bring healing and hope and help engage the culture and change the world one step and one soul at a time. To follow Jesus as his ambassadors, we must radically change our course, look beyond our earthly pursuits of success and power, and find our new purpose in the risen Christ, our human and divine companion. As Wright concluded, this is by no means an easy task. Jesus invites us to take up our cross and «invites us to a great act of faith and trust, to look with a clear eye at the moral choices before us and be ready to say “no”, even if it really hurts, when faced with subtle and powerful temptations... We must live the present as people of resurrection.”