NT Wright Interview: Why Left, Right & Lewis Get It Wrong
February 1, 2013 3 Comments
Wright is always worth listening to.
… against the common evangelical message that the bulk of Jesus’ preaching about God’s Kingdom is lost in an exclusive focus on: “You’re a sinner. Jesus came to die for your sins. Believe in Jesus and you’ll go to heaven.” In our interview, when Tom Wright turns to his criticism of the beloved C.S. Lewis, readers will find that his critique focuses on this very point.
Read it here.
About Fr Stephen Smuts
Since I am an Irish Brit, but one having lived in the US for almost 5 years now, I think I have a more personal insight than old “Tom” Wright on America and FOX News! And he is only a year older than me, btw. But one I might add that has never served in Her Majesty’s military service! Which of course I have proudly, as a Royal Marine Commando, and officer. Indeed “living” in America helps one to see many of the ways of both her people and her political past and present. And I also served attached to the American Third Force Marine Recon, way back years ago in the Nam. And then too I was in Gulf War 1, (RMC’s). The point being, old “Tom” needs to sit this one out! He is a product of the English middle class, and really knows little about where the rubber meets the road, on many of these political and even social issues! And is really simply something of a liberal, here. And even also “theologically” so, of course to my mind! So enough of N.T. Wright for me anyway, at least on his “explosive” ideas of theology, and even the social political! Aye one Brit’s opinion!
And btw, the glut of books and ideas on C.S. Lewis is so long and laborious! And trying to “can” or understand Lewis is a real challenge, I might add! Would that Austin Farrer were still around to help us, he was of course one of Lewis’s Anglican rectors and priest friends! And too btw, Farrer is his own great theological task to read and understand! Allowing both the human and biblical-theological tensions to exist in both Lewis and Farrer, is the safer way. And most certainly the mystical approach to Lewis is a path that must be investigated! (See for example David Downing book: Into the Region of Awe, Mysticism In C.S. Lewis. Note too, Downing book: The Most Reluctant Convert (both books are IVP). Downing is a professor of English (American I believe). I have, and have read both, and my “recommend” at least!
Btw, too, for those that care, perhaps the bio by George Sayer, one time student under Lewis, and something of one on the inner circle and also taught at Malvern College, is still one of the best. (1988, Harper & Row). Sayer could say, “Although I became a friend of Lewis, I never got to the bottom of him.”