Session 4: Priests and Rulers

Session 4: Priests and Rulers (pp. 73-100)

1. What do you make of Wright’s understanding of creation and the role of “Human” in it? What does he see as the role of Jesus and his followers?

2. What does Wright mean when he writes that humanity has both a royal and priestly vocation? How does he support this notion by drawing on Scripture? Is this a vocation that you might feel called to? What would that look like in your life?

3. Pay close attention to Wright’s summary on pp. 84-85 of the “large slowly-developing story” of God’s interaction with the world. How do you respond to this telling of the story?

4. How does Wright describe the function and meaning of the Temple? How do you respond to his description of Jesus as “fulfilled Israel”?

5. According to St. Paul, how do we prepare for the goal of our “glorification”?

"Moral Dystopia"

Very relevant piece from Maureen Dowd in last Sunday's NY Times.

Dowd quotes from James Davison Hunter, professor at the University of Virginia and author of "The Death of Character":

"We've moved from a culture of character to a culture of personality. The etymology of the word character is that it's deeply etched, not changeable in all sorts of circumstances. We don't want to think of ourselves as transgressive or bad, but we tend to personalize our understanding of the good."





Check out the whole piece here:
"Moral Dystopia" by Maureen Dowd

Video of NT Wright Discussing After You Believe

At last night's discussion, a member of the group mentioned that he had watched a You Tube video of Wright discussing After You Believe at the Ethical Culture Society in New York.

Here is the video (which is about 45 minutes long):

Session 3: The Transformation of Character

Session 3: The Transformation of Character (pp. 27-71)

1. What do you make of Wright’s description of Human character: “…the pattern of thinking and acting which runs right through someone, so that wherever you cut into them (as it were), you see the same person through and through” (pg. 27)?

2. According to Wright how is Christian character transformed? What is the goal we should be aiming for? Do you agree?

3. On page 51 Wright describes the “general position” that many people believe “Christian living ought to be about.” According to Wright, what are the sources of this thinking? What are the problems he sees with it? Is this how you or others you know think or have thought Christian living is all about? Is Wright correct in criticizing this point of view?

4. Why has virtue been out of fashion in much of Western Christianity since the 16^th Century Reformation? How does Wright counter this Protestant discomfort with virtue by tying it to the famous verse John 3:16? Do you find this convincing and/or appealing?

5. What are the two visions of the Christian goal described on pg. 66? What do you think of them? What does Wright think of them? What does Wright offer in their place?

Session 2: What am I Here For?

Session 2: What Am I Here For? (pp. 1-26)

1. Have you ever asked yourself, what am I here for? What kinds of answers have you come up with?

2. Have you found it true that many Christians think that you can believe in Jesus and then really do nothing else? Do you believe that transformation is necessary and/or possible?

3. What does Wright mean by, “In the last analysis, what matters after you believe is neither rules nor spontaneous self-discovery, but character?” (pg. 7)

4. What do you think of the examples Wright uses to describe the damage done when people lack character? What examples would you add to his list?

5. How does Wright define virtue? What do you think of the example he gives? Would you have thought of Capt. Sullenberger as virtuous? Can you think of other examples of virtue in this sense?

The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone - Especially Ourselves

There is a new book out about dishonesty written by Dan Ariely, a professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke. It seems like Ariely and N.T. Wright would have some interesting conversations.

Listen to Leonard Lopate's interview with Ariely on WNYC:



And David Brooks writes about Ariely's book in his column in today's NY Times:

The Moral Diet We all commit little indiscretions, just enough to keep from feeling too bad about it. Should we be active in curtailing this inevitability, and if so, how?

N.T. Wright would probably like what Brooks concludes in his column:

"I’d add that you really shouldn’t shoot for goodness, which is so vague and forgiving. You should shoot for rectitude. We’re mostly unqualified to judge our own moral performances, so attach yourself to some exterior or social standards."

Discussion Questions for Introduction and Chapter 1

Session 1: Introduction

1. In two previous books Wright asserted what he describes as a basic principle of early Christianity: “…that God the creator intends to bring heaven and earth together at last, and that this plan has been decisively inaugurated in Jesus Christ.” (pg. ix) Without having read those earlier books, what do you think of this assertion? Do you believe God has a plan for creation and is actively carrying it out? Why or why not?

2. Here is how Wright describes the basic point of After You Believe: “Christian life in the present, with its responsibilities and particular callings, is to be understood and shaped in relation to the final goal for which we have been made and redeemed. The better we understand the goal, the better we shall understand the path

toward it.” (pg. ix) Have you thought of your (Christian) life as having a “goal”? What might that be?

3. How would you define character? Virtue? Ethics?

4. On page x, Wright claims that God means for us to be concerned primarily with worship and mission. How do you respond to that? Do you think that’s really what God wants from us?

5. On page xi Wright declares, “I have assumed, for the present purpose, that Jesus of Nazareth did and said more or less what the four gospels in the New Testament say he did and said.” Can you agree with this assumption? Why or why not?

Session 2: What Am I Here For? (pp. 1-26)

1. Have you ever asked yourself, what am I here for? What kinds of answers have you come up with?

2. Have you found it true that many Christians think that you can believe in Jesus and then really do nothing else? Do you believe that transformation is necessary and/or possible?

3. What does Wright mean by, “In the last analysis, what matters after you believe is neither rules nor spontaneous self-discovery, but character?” (pg. 7)

4. What do you think of the examples Wright uses to describe the damage done when people lack character? What examples would you add to his list?

5. How does Wright define virtue? What do you think of the example he gives? Would you have thought of Capt. Sullenberger as virtuous? Can you think of other examples of virtue in this sense?

Prayers Before and After Reading and Reflecting

A Prayer Before Reading and Reflecting

Almighty and Eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, pg. 832)

A Prayer After Reading and Reflecting

Almighty and Everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, pg. 235)

Here is a link to a recent interview with N.T. Wright, mixing both the theological and personal. Worth a look...

http://frankviola.org/2012/01/23/ntwright/

Harper One maintains an official N.T. Wright page on facebook! Check it out here:


https://www.facebook.com/pages/N-T-Wright/260878103965254