For other uses, see Tom Wright (disambiguation)

Tom (N.T.) Wright is the Bishop of Durham of the Anglican Church and a leading British New Testament scholar. Ordinarily he is known as "Tom Wright", although his academic work has always been published under the name "NT Wright" (Nicholas Thomas). He is generally perceived as coming from a moderately evangelical perspective. He is associated with the so-called Third Quest for the Historical Jesus, and the New Perspective on Paul (a complex movement with many unique positions, originating from the probing works of James Dunn and E. P. Sanders). He argues that the current understanding of Jesus must be connected with what is known to be true about

Biography

1948: Born in Northumberland.

1971 - 1975: Studied for the ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

1975 - 1978: Junior research fellow and later junior chaplain at Merton College, Oxford.

1978 - 1981: Fellow and chaplain at Downing College, Cambridge.

1981 - 1986: Assistant professor of New Testament Studies at McGill University, Montreal.

1986 - 1993: Lecturer in New Testament at Worcester College, Oxford.

1994 - 1999: Dean of Lichfield Cathedral.

2000 - 2003: Canon theologian of Westminster Abbey.

2003 - present: Bishop of Durham.

Writing

Wright has written over 30 books.

He has completed three books in a projected six-volume scholarly series Christian Origins and the Question of God. These are The New Testament and the People of God, Jesus and

He has also written books on a popular level, including The Challenge of Jesus and the projected twelve volume For Everyone Bible commentary series in a similar vein to William Barclay's Daily Study Bible series.

Influence and controversy

His work has been praised by scholars from a wide range of views, such as Professor James DG Dunn, Richard B. Hays and Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. However, critics of his work are also found across the broad range of theological camps, from conservatives such as J. Ligon Duncan to liberals like Robert J. Miller.

Within evangelicalism, Wright has been warmly received particularly by those who identify with the broadly postmodern Emerging Church movement.

However, his evangelical credentials have often been disputed by conservative theologians and others representing the strongly Reformed evangelical tradition, particularly in the United States. The most contentious issue has been whether he is guilty of denying the Protestant doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone.

He has also received heavy criticism in some decidedly more liberal circles. By contrast with Miller's views as noted above, though, Marcus Borg, of the controversial Jesus Seminar, has co-authored the book The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions with Wright, and the two scholars are well-known for their mutual admiration and respect.

Opposition to civil partnerships

Wright hit the headlines in December 2005 when he announced to the press, on the day that the first civil partnership ceremonies took place in England, that he would be likely to take disciplinary action against any clergy registering as civil partners, or any clergy blessing such partnerships.

See also

• Critical realism

NT Wright