N.T. Wright, Catholics & Evangelicals

[benyjets23]

Hey

 My favorite author is N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham England (Church Of England).  He helped this doubting thomas of a christian regain some faith (Me).

 N.T. Wright is considered the leading British New Testament scholar (Even according to Marcus Borg) and is the most well known critic of the Jesus Seminar.  His latest book in a series of 5 is almost 800 pages, demonstrating that the best causative force of early christianity is the Bodily resurrection of Jesus.  He seems to base his favorite argument on Josephus and Tacitus and Acts 5:33-39.

 My question however is this.  What do Catholics think of N.T. Wright?  I know many Evangelicals scholars (William Lane Craig, Ben Wirthington, Craig Blomeberg Etc.) who hang off everything Wright says.  So I was curious if there are "Wright Freaks" within the Catholic faith?

 Since I believe this is my first post, I will say that I am a fromer Catholic (By Birth, Baptism and 1st Communion).  After years in Evangelical circles, and a few as a "freelance" christian I am considering returning to the Catholic Faith.

Ben

P.S.: I have sorrow and Joy over the Popes passing. Sorrow because I did not get a chance to see this great man and because he made the world a better place and will be missed. However I have joy that I will one day see him, and that he is now with Jesus.

 

[Uranage]

Well, I’m an evangelical and I love listening to and reading N.T. Wright. He has done a great job in defending the resurrection in scholarly circles. He recently debated the infamous John Dominic Crossan.

 

[benyjets23]

Hey

 Thanks for the response.

 What is Wrights debating style?  Is it Like William Lane Craigs (His book debates with Crossan & Ludemann) where he argues from 4 established facts? (I forget what they are).

 Nice to see another Wright freak around.  But I was actually interested to see if Wright made as much inroads into Catholicism as he has with evangelicals.

Ben

 

[Contarini]

Ben,

My old friend Tim Gray, a Scott Hahn student who currently teaches at the seminary of the Archdiocese of Denver and leads a Bible study that is televised on EWTN, was a huge fan of Wright (I say “was” because I haven’t seen Tim for quite a few years, though we correspond sporadically by email) and wanted to study with him (Wright, of course, does not currently hold an academic post, so this isn’t a possibility!). I don’t know how typical Tim is, but he’s certainly well connected with the sort of conservative Catholicism that many on this forum hold in high regard, so I think his example is relevant to your question.

Edwin

 

[Scalia]

Scott Hahn cites N.T. Wright quite a bit in his Study of Revelations, The End.

 

[Apolonio]

N.T. Wright is probably the best historical-critical scholar today. I disagree with some of his reconstructionism, and beliefs (like women’s priesthood) but I think he is pretty solid on the historical Jesus, the bodily resurrection, and justification. His work on justification can build a bridge between Catholics and Protestants.

 

[benyjets23]

 Thankyou for the responses.

 Based on what I have read here, it seems that N.T. Wright has the ability (along with Lewis, Chesterton and Nouwen) to transcend sectarian boundaries and earn great followings and devoted readers from among the christian spectrum.

Ben