After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters
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Following two successful and award-winning titles on why the Christian faith makes sense (Simply Christian) and what really happens when life is over (Surprised by Hope), Bishop N.T. Wright turns readers to the surprisingly neglected question of how Christians ought to live in the here and now. Publishers Weekly How do you develop a character suited for God’s Kingdom? Practice, practice, practice. That, in a nutshell, is the message of this volume on building Christian character by Wright, a prodigiously prolific Bible scholar and Anglican bishop of Durham, England. In arguing for “this new vision of virtue, which is a vision of Jesus Christ himself,” Wright carefully explores such classical exponents of character as Aristotle. He also acknowledges the existence of other notions of encouraging behavior-based rules, duty, or being “true to oneself.” Drawing on scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, Wright asserts that true transformation comes through the work of the Holy Spirit and through worship, mission, and “following Jesus.” As the habits of virtue grow, the church community will become the royal priesthood it is meant to be, anticipating (one of the author’s favorite words) God’s coming new world. A follow-up to Wright’s Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope, this solid volume will appeal to Christians who appreciate biblical interpretation that hews to tradition but incorporates an emphasis on contemporary social justice as an element of Christian virtue. (Mar.)
Preface ix1 What Am I Here For? 12 The Transformation of Character 273 Priests and Rulers 734 The Kingdom Coming and the People Prepared 1015 Transformed by the Renewal of the Mind 1356 Three Virtues, Nine Varieties of Fruit, and One Body 1817 Virtue in Action: The Royal Priesthood 2198 The Virtuous Circle 257Afterword: Further Reading 285Notes 291Scripture Index 293Subject Index 297
