N.T. Wright Responds to John Piper 9

Bishop Wright finds it astonishing that Dr. Piper warns his readers NOT to take our knowledge of first-century Judaism too seriously. Bishop Wright argues that any reading of scripture that doesn't include an understanding of the world the Bible was written in will lead to interpretations riddled with anachronisms (falsely reading contemporary ideas into historical writings.) For example, modern readers often misinterpret the biblical term, Kingdom of Heaven, as referring to "a place we go to when we die." But ancient readers knew the phrase meant "the rule of heaven on earth."
Part of an interview by Dr. Tod Bolsinger, Senior Pastor of San Clemente Presbyterian Church, at the Pastors Retreat of the Los Ranchos Presbytery held at the Serra Retreat Center in Malibu, CA. Bishop N.T. Wright is the Bishop of Durham in the Church of England.

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[ElasticGiraffe]

John Piper is one pretentious pastor if he thinks he's equipped to discredit N.T. Wright on Paul's understanding of justification. I suppose Piper considers the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation a more appropriate cultural context for interpreting New Testament scripture than first-century, Second Temple Judaism. I think he needs to take his Calvinist glasses off.

[ambrosius]

I don't think this has anything to do with Piper being angry because he has "no voice" in modern Christianity. Rather, I think that Piper is concerned with how many will take Wright's new perspective on Paul and run with it to crazy conclusions, i.e. Rob Bell, Brian McClaren, Doug Pagitt

[akoNoonamo101]

Eventhough NT Wright is a scholar,he cant outweigh John Piper's knowledge on theology.

logan

[BritneyAddicted4EVA]

Piper is right. I haven't heard more Biblical preacher than writer and I thank God for his ministry. You guys should stop shooting at him. He is very conservative pastor but all he wants is to lead people to Jesus and stick to the Bible very seriously.

[landsdown44]

Piper is basically so tied up in fundamentalist knots that he cannot see God in action including the wonderful works of Bell and BcLaren.

[Strefanasha]

Piper is a screaming fanatic. I don't think extremely highly of Wright, but he is better than that screaming fanatic Piper.

[DevinAdint]

78-88' 300 Scholars met and signed articles of interpretation several stating the denial that the text of scripture is so tied to the culture out of which it came that translation is in inadequate to convey God's message and understanding impossible. This is an under-realized theopneustos or breath of God. Jesus said my Kingdom is not of this world, countering the mindset of Judaism at the time.

[DanPrinMan]

NT Wright is an overall well-rounded scholar. It seems Piper is definitely first and primarily a Calvinists and secondly a Bible believing Christian. But he attempts to reassure himself and others that he holds to "Sola Scriptura", as if to justify his incorrect application of Calvinism onto scripture. ElasticGiraffe said it right when he/she said "he needs to take his Calvinist glasses off"

[TheFunkyTheist]

NT wRight is the greatest scholar of the past half century. He is not only full of knowledge and excellent intellectuality, but he is also able to present it in a way that everyone can grasp it.

By the way, Piper just got his ass handed to him. In a very respectful way.

[homealpha101]

@brhodes625 ...I think your point on Wright's paraphrasing in this clip is without merit as he has welcomed the criticism Piper has made upon his take on 'justification' (I also pretty much agree with Piper's sentiments) but, nails him on this point. I think you should listen to the clip again brother as he has not simply stated the entirety of Piper's book ;O) God bless my friend

[homealpha101]

@brhodes625 ...I think Piper & Wright are different fish altogether. Wright has in many ways transcended his denomination with Dunn. I personally think all decent theologians do. Fee is another fellow I highly esteem and has been quite critical of his own denomination's (AOG) views on Spiritual gifts and eschatology..."

[homealpha101]

@brhodes625 ...I would posit that Piper sees it the other way around and allows others to interpret the Bible for him. His exegesis is pretty much always framed within his 'pin up' theologian's views. I have rarely heard him differ with Calvin or his Reformed Baptist views...