Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters

Mix together a fair amount of history, a little bit of culture and an ample amount of theology and you have the recipe for "Simply Jesus". Historically it helps us see Jesus' place in a line of Messiahs, some coming before him and some after him(the last one as late as 100 years after Jesus' death). Culturally, we get a picture of the expectations surrounding Jesus, the excitement of a Messiah coming onto the scene and what one would look for if a Messiah was "outing" himself. But most important, theologically, this book is a discussion of how the church has done Jesus a real disservice by confining him to our church methods, programs, or making him our own "personal" saviour. I've listened to this book twice and probably will again.

I have a hard time being objective about Wright's work. I really find it fascinating. In part because he is hitting in areas that I really am looking for. This is a great illustration of the Christological Hermeneutic that Christian Smith is looking for in A Bible Made Impossible. It is a very good companion to Scot McKnight's King Jesus Gospel. I have read Wright's Challenge of Jesus fairly recently and this is a completely different book, not just a revision. And there are several things that I think he handles better here. This is intended to be a follow up to his Simply Christian and is written at a more popular level (not simplistic, just without footnotes).

I have read most everything N.T. Wright has written so I'm a huge fan. Having said that I think this is his clearest Christology yet. Having reflected on Jesus and his ministry in such amazing books as The Challenge of Jesus, Jesus and the Victory of God, and When God became King you would think what could Wright possibly add to what he has already written? In Simply Jesus Wright brings together all of the insights of his previous works in one concise read. This is a book I will listen to many times. I would recommend this book for anyone who is wanting to grow in their understanding of Jesus, his ministry, his life, death, and resurrection. It is a book that will both challenge those who might be unfamiliar with the life of Jesus and those who have been following him for decades.

The narration was top notch. The narrator's voice made you think you might actually be listening to Wright's voice over a cup of coffee or a spot of tea in Wright's case.

It sounds like he is reading Winnie the Pooh - pauses and emphasis in peculiar places. Horrible. It's impossible to follow the thoughts because the narrator DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, he is just performing some strange text reading stunt. It doesn't matter if you have a lovely voice if you sound as disconnected from the content as a computer program. I'd return the audible format if I could, and I certainly will never buy another. $22 for a completely unusable item.

I have read many of NT Wrights books but I think that this one is the best that I have ever read. It was easy to follow and helped me gain a good framework for understanding Jesus.

Learning about the other types of Messiah movements helped me understand Jesus' own moverment. I love it!

It deeply gratified me and made me think.

I would recommend this book to long time Christians and to seekers alike.