Books & Bibles
Entertainment
Fashion & Jewelry
Gifts & Giving
Home Decor & Accents
Kitchen & Gourmet
Beauty & Health
Specialty Stores
|
|
|
|
|
After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters
| Our Price |
$ 17.99
|
|
| Retail Value |
$ 24.99 |
|
| You Save |
$ 7.00 (28%) |
|
| Item Number |
886172 |
|
|
|
|
|
Available on the Internet only.
|
|
|
|
|
Item description for After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters by N. T. Wright...
Overview
Takes the reader on a eye-opening journey through key biblical passages in the New Testament that promise to radically alter the work of the Christian church and the direction of people's lives by highlighting how the Bible directs Christians to live their lives. By the author of Simply Christian. 60,000 first printing.
Publishers Description
From the author of the acclaimed Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope comes a book that addresses the question that has plagued humans for centuries—what is our purpose? As Christians, what are we to do with that ambiguous time between baptism and the funeral? It's easy to become preoccupied with who gets into heaven; the real challenge is how we are going to live in the here and now. Wright dispels the common misconception that Christian living is nothing more than a checklist of dos and don'ts. Nor is it a prescription to "follow your heart" wherever it may lead. Instead, After You Believe reveals the Bible's call for a revolution—a transformation of character that takes us beyond our earthly pursuit of money, sex, and power into a virtuous state of living that allows us to reflect God and live more worshipful, fulfilling lives. We are all spiritual seekers, intuitively knowing there is more to life than we suspect. This is a book for anyone who is hoping there is something more while we're here on Earth. There is. We are being called to join the revolution, and Wright insightfully encourages readers to find new purpose and clarity by taking us on an eye-opening journey through key biblical passages that promise to radically alter the work of the church and the direction of our lives.
From Publishers Weekly
How do you develop a character suited for Gods 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 authors favorite words) Gods coming new world. A follow-up to Wrights 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.) Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information. |
Item Specifications...
Studio: HarperOne
Pages 307
Dimensions: Length: 1.25" Width: 6.25" Height: 10"
Weight: 1.05 lbs.
Binding Hardcover
Release Date Mar 1, 2010
Publisher Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN 0061730556
ISBN13 9780061730559
|
Availability 59 units.
Availability accurate as of May 25, 2012 02:13.
Usually ships within one to two business days from Johnson City, TN.
Orders shipping to an address other than a confirmed Credit Card / Paypal Billing address may incur and additional processing delay.
|
More About N. T. Wright
Product Categories
Christian Product Categories
Books > Christian Living > Practical Life > General
Similar Products
Reviews - What do customers think about After You Believe?
 | Not An Easy Read But Worth The Effort, You Should Read "After You Believe" May 21, 2010 |
I love to read books that challenge me to grow in my faith, provoke me to consideration of spiritual topics, and help me understand what it means to be a Christian in this day and age. However, if you are anything like me, books on theology can seem...well...a little dry or difficult to read.
Enter the Bishop of Durham, England, N.T. Wright.
I first encountered the writings of Bishop Wright a number of years ago before I re-dedicated my heart to Christ and was reading books by more liberal theologians such as Marcus Borg and Elaine Pagels. At one point I picked up a book Marcus Borg had co-authored with N.T. Wright called The Meaning of Jesus, a kind of written debate between their disparate views of scripture, Wright's being the traditional.
I remember that even though I was more in line with Marcus Borg's thinking at the time, I was intrigued by N.T. Wright's ability to present theology in such a way that someone who's never stepped foot in a seminary could understand some of the deeper meanings he was trying to get across. Eventually I began reading more of N.T Wright's work and he quickly became one of my favorite theologians. So it was with great pleasure I snapped up the opportunity to review "After You Believe" by N.T. Wright.
In this book, Bishop Wright tackles the idea of what is our purpose once we've accepted Christ as Savior on our lives. How are we meant to live. Making a study of "virtue", N. T. Wright explores what it means to live as a Christian, and how changes to our character are part and parcel of the transformation which is meant to take place in our lives and impact our world in a positive way. Drawing upon the Sermon on the Mount as well as the letters of Paul, Bishop Wright explores what it means for the Christian to live the Kingdom of God here on earth, renew our minds, live in love, etc. He challenges the reader to practice godly, virtuous character in our choices and daily lives until it becomes as second nature.
This book, unlike some of his other more recent works such as "Simply Christian" or "Surprised by Hope", is definitely NOT a quick or easy read. There is a lot of territory to explore when it comes to virtue and Christian character, and Bishop Wright does so with elegance, practicality, and depth, but it does take time to digest everything upon which he expounds. Having said that, an examination of virtue, morality, and what it means to live the Christian life with integrity is a vital issue for our day which needs to be explored, especially when the number one complaint against the church is hypocrisy.
While this book is certainly not light evening reading, in my opinion, "After You Believe" is worth the effort. | | | | How does our Second Nature become second nature to us? May 21, 2010 |
In the first chapter of N.T. Wright's new book, After You Believe, the bishop asks the following questions:
"How do we make moral decisions? do we have to choose between a system of Rules (which we then just need to hammer out and agree on) and a system of Finding Out Who I Really Am (and being true to it)? Are there other ways not only of discover how we should live but of actually living that way? What happens, not only individually but also corporately, after you believe?"
In the next paragraph he answers his question.
"In the last analysis, what matters after you believe is neither rules nor spontaneous self-discovery, but character."
The rest of the book is his treatise on why this is so, jumping into discussions on how character is transformed, how our minds are transformed, where do the gifts and fruits of the Spirit fit in, what does it mean to behave as part of a new creation (a royal priesthood), and how do we practice living our lives in Jesus-styled virtues so that our second nature becomes second nature to us?
I've read several books on the "how we should live" topic. Many times these books come across as dry, heady, or in-your-face preachy. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this was to read. If you haven't read any of Bishop Wright's books yet, you don't need to be concerned about his vaulted position or his English accent. Though he certainly takes a scholarly approach, this book is almost as easy to read as a good story.
Recently Bishop Wright resigned his position in order to focus on more writing. If After You Believe is any indication, we can be very excited for that decision. | | | | Wright Redeems Virtue in After You Believe May 20, 2010 |
I recently noted an interview with N.T. Wright by my friend Tripp Fuller. One of the subjects covered in the interview was Wright's new book After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters. Explaining the hope he had in writing the book, Wright mentioned a possible titled included "Virtue." There was some concern it would not "sell." Imagine living in the 21st Century and "virtue" not selling.
Even if someone may not buy a book on virtue, nearly everyone should be concerned about character. The matter runs to the root of what kind of person we choose to be. Too often we get confused about "doing the right thing." Asking someone to "do the right" thing without addressing the aim of personhood and what kind of person you or I would want to be seems a bit wrong headed - to borrow a Wrightism. I am reminded of C.S. Lewis' essay, "The Abolition of Man." There in that classic essay Lewis notes how insufferable it is to remove the framework for making moral decisions and then asking a person then to be moral. He write something like, ". . . then bid the gelding to produce."
Wright, for me, runs along the same track Dallas Willard has been running on. When the question is about deciding to do right, we are managing our impulses. When we determine what kind of person we will be then we choose according to that aim. One tends to begin at the point of behavior. The other emphasizes living out a way of life that is constructive and formative in keeping with the personal decision to be this kind of person or that kind of person.
It is no secret that I like Bishop Tom. We have shared a meal, a conference, and a plane - public not private. He is affable and memorable. He has determined to be a kind of person that flows from his understanding of the grand project of redemption of all things in Jesus. That aim is born out not only in his writing but in his person. Go get it. Read it. Let it inspire you to move from managing impulses to charting a course for what your lie may look like as it reflects the life of Jesus.
This review is in response to my participation in The Ooze Viral Blogger project for After You Believe. I did receive the book for review. However, I would have bought the book and reviewed it had all the books been handed out for the project. | | |  | My Favorite N.T. Wright To Date May 17, 2010 |
In this third book of N.T. Wright's popular series that began with Simply Christian and was followed up by Surprised by Hope he continues with the theme that he believes was basic in Early Christianity. The theme of the creator God, through a process that was inaugurated by the Incarnation, crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ, to restore Creation and bring Heaven and Earth together. As followers of Christ, Christians are to play a key part in this renewed Creation.
I've read a number of Wright's books, and I must say that I found this latest publication to be the best that I've read to date. After You Believe is not nearly as heavy on theology as it is on practical reasons why living a life of Christian virtue matters. Wright illustrates why virtuous living matters not just for the life to come when Christ's followers will co-reign as Rulers and Priests, but it also matters in the here and now as we ready ourselves for the glorious future that God has in store for us.
Wright lays the groundwork with the question "what am I here for?" He looks at two common contrasting views about virtue within Christianity. The first view is that of the person who feels that they must be "authentic" and therefore they disregard attempts at virtue for fear of being hypocritical and phony. On the flip side of the coin are those that are constrained by all of the "rules and regulations" that they find in scripture and are hopelessly chasing their tails trying to be "good enough for God." Wright considers both views to be anachronistic and spurious.
Wright holds that our goal is to be "truly human" in the way that God originally intended for us to be. Living out a life as a complete human means living a Spirit led life in which all of the fruits of the Spirit are exhibited and the three main Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and Love begin to flow naturally.
But Bishop Wright warns that it is not an automatic thing that happens after one accepts Jesus as Lord and joins in the body of Christ. This is a common fallacy that many in Western Protestantism fall for. Using examples like that of Captain Sullenberger, who made the miraculous landing on the Hudson River on flight 1549, Wright illustrates that building genuine Christian character is a process that takes many years of making thousands of tiny `correct decisions', so that when a serious test of Christian character arises, the response is "automatic."
Toward the center of the book, Wright spends a good deal of time doing what he does best, exegeting the Pauline corpus to explain the "how and why" of developing Christian character. He discusses the coming Kingdom and how we should begin preparing for the Kingdom by the "renewing of the mind." He then moves on to 1 Corinthians 13 and provides one of the best expositions of the "love chapter" that I've read to date.
He sums it up toward the end of the book by giving fairly clear (for N.T. Wright) instructions on how to carry the whole thing out. He uses a "grace" circle that incorporates scripture, stories, examples, community and practice. Again, he reiterates how Christian character doesn't "just happen" but is rather a lifelong process that one must work toward every day.
Throughout the book I was reminded of the earnestness of John Wesley and the warmth of C.S. Lewis. Of all of Wright's books that I've read to date, I found this one to be the most practical and helpful. I've come away from some of Wright's books feeling a lot more educated, but a little puzzled on how to apply what I had read to my personal Christian walk. With After You Believe however, I found much that I felt that I could take away to help me become a more mature Christian. I would encourage this book to everyone, and especially to those who might be asking the question "what do I do now that I've become a Christian?"
| | | | Crucial Book for 21st Century Christians May 15, 2010 |
So often in contemporary evangelical Christianity, the emphasis on conversion and "getting saved" overshadows all sorts of others things... such as the question "what happens after we believe?" In this wonderfully written, concise, thoroughly engaging book, N.T. Wright makes the case for why Christian virtue is crucial. If our purpose on earth is merely to become saved, why doesn't God just take us away from this place immediately after we believe? What's the point of the church being left on earth? What are we to be for the world? Incisively contrasting the Christian understanding of virtue with that of Aristotle (i.e. virtue is not meant to make us look good, but rather to give glory to God), and steadfastly situating the discussion in terms of grace rather than works (the Holy Spirit is key), Wright presents an inspiring vision for how Christians should be radically transformed by grace and living in such a way that reflects God's glory to the world. Pay special attention to Chap. 3 ("Priests and Rulers"), a sprawling history of creation from Eden to the New Jerusalem that may be the single most exciting chapter on Christian virtue ever written.
| | | Write your own review about After You Believe
Ask A Question or Provide Feedback regarding After You Believe
|
Shopping Cart (0 Items)
