Mere Wright

(A Review of "Simply Christian" by N.T. Wright)

You know you are reading a good book when you look back and every other line is highlighted. Though I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have other books by Wright, it is certainly a welcome edition to his works.

The comparisons to C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" are over exaggerated. This is not that book, nor should it be. Expecting Wright to be Lewis is like expecting Spielberg to be Shakespeare. Spielberg is a bad ass of a different sort than Shakespeare, even though they both tell good tales. "Mere Christianity" is C.S. Lewis's Magnum Opus. This is not Wright's. See his "Christian Origins and the Question of God" for that.

This book serves as a wonderful introduction to the thoughts of Wright. He emphasizes those places where contemporary Christians need to think again, while laying out his amazing view of what Christianity is. He re-affirms what we ought to emphasize in our thoughts about Jesus, his Jewish roots, and the Church now. His chapter on Israel is worth the price of the book.

Though this is far more common today in Jesus scholarship, Wright is the king of placing Jesus in historic Jewish, faithful context. Jesus is not a modern or a medieval man. He is a first century peasant who loved the story of Yahweh and found his identity therein.

The most valuable material here is Wright's future perspective. He knows that the Bible does not teach that Christ Followers will be sucked up into some ethereal heaven when they die. He instead makes case for the resurrection of believers and their work now between the resurrection and return of Christ. This is one of the top 3 books I would offer for someone interested in knowing what Christianity is. Read it! It will give you a beautifully grounded perspective that is not just about me and my salvation.

Home Show Article

(From the UNC Mirror 10.11.06)

Church invites community to submit art for charity

Atlas Church, 829 16th St., will host an art show and auction for charity on Friday. The church will donate the proceeds of the auction to a homeless family in Greeley. Event coordinators invite all artists to submit art to auction and the community to attend the show.

by Christina Romero

October 11, 2006

A Greeley church has invited all artists to get their work into the public, join a supportive art community and help the homeless through an art show and auction on Friday.

The Atlas Church, 829 16th St., will hold the art show, donating the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s a chance for artists to make a difference in the world through their works,” Chris Mclean, the director of the art show, said.

The theme for the show is “Home,” and all the money made from the art will go to a homeless family in Greeley. The church invites everyone who can submit art and view the show to participate.

Atlas church pastor Jeff Cook talked about what he wants the students of the University of Northern Colorado to understand about the homeless.

“The biggest thing we would like the student body to know is that there are poor, hurting families less than two or three minutes from UNC who have real needs,” he said. “Each of us have skills that if we are simply available can meet those needs. We long for artists, musicians, dancers, writers to give what they have, not only so we can build an art scene in Greeley, but so we can build a home for the poorest families in our area.”

The art show is set up as an auction where anyone can purchase a piece of art. Anyone who wants to submit art must register with the director of the show, Chris Mclean. There is no registration fee, but tickets will be available for reservation for any potential auctioneers. All artists or spectators must call Chris Mclean at 970-405-2238 or e-mail him at mosaicartshow@gmail.com to participate.

Atlas will also host a food drive at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17. The community is invited to bring canned food and non-perishables to donate to the Weld County Food Bank. The church also invites people to help Greeley’s homeless by donating mittens and coats for children at 6 p.m. on Jan. 5.