New Releases by TOM WRIGHT

''It has been slowly dawning on me over many years that there is a fundamental problem deep at the heart of Christian faith and practice as I have known them . . . we have all forgotten what the four Gospels are about.'' With that surprising assertion, Tom Wright launches this ground-breaking work in which he helps us to see the gospel story in radically a new light, and to acknowledge that, for many generations, the Church has been avoiding its full impact and holding back from proclaiming its full meaning. ''Classic Wright: clear, accessible, robust, engaging and challenging.'' Paula Gooder in Third Way ''Scholarly, accessible, insightful and provocative.'' Christianity ''Wright argues compellingly that the twin themes of kingdom and cross are inseparably linked. . . This is a much-needed reorientation. The book makes its case for ''rethinking'' cogently and deserves widespread attention.'' Theology

TOM WRIGHT offers reflections on the Sunday readings in the Revised Common Lectionary for Years A, B & C. This volume, which brings together his widely read columns in the Church Times and also contains new material, covers all the Sundays and major festivals.

Paul has provoked people as much in recent times as he did when he was alive. Some regard him as a pestilent and dangerous fellow. Others think of him as the greatest teacher of Christianity after Jesus himself. In this book, leading theologian Tom Wright focuses on key areas of Paul''s teaching, helping us to understand what he was doing and saying. He sweeps away the confusion of much modern theology to uncover the real man and his message. What St Paul Really Said is a book for all who want to weigh the evidence before making up their minds on the vital questions surrounding Paul. Equally it is for those who want to know what his message might mean for us today.

Writing in an accessible and anecdotal style, Tom Wright opens up to us the wisdom of the letters of James, Peter, John and Judah (Jude). A vital resource for every church and every Christian, these letters are full of clear practical advice for Christians. Written for those new to the faith, they warn of the dangers and difficulties a young Christian community would face both within and without, while revelling in the delight of budding faith, hope and life. Today, these letters are just as relevant as they were two thousand years ago. They continue to help Christians to live with genuine faith in a complex modern age.

What does Christianity stand for in the 21st century? How can we believe it? Why do we need it? In this modern classic, bestselling author Tom Wright invites you on a journey into the heart of Christianity and shows you how it can be lived authentically today. Taking the reader through the Christian faith step by step and question by question, Simply Christian offers compelling explanations for even the most hardened sceptics, while leaving believers spiritually refreshed and exhilarated. ''How can one find the words to describe a book so beautifully and skilfully written, so inspired, so full of generosity and genius?'' Anne Rice ''Absolutely wonderful, radical and very powerful.'' Antony Flew ''An invaluable guide for seekers and doubters as well as believers.'' Os Guinness ''Exceptional. . . it is hard to think of a parallel since Lewis.'' Church Times

With a foreword by The Who''s Pete Townshend, Raising Hell is a compilation of Wright''s groundbreaking photography and the true stories behind the captivating pictures. Over the years, Wright has allowed almost no commercial access to his work; his photographs have been available to only the musicians he''s worked with and a handful of record company executives… until now.

Virtue Reborn is the first in a series of three titles about Christian life in the modern world, which will build on the themes of Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope and be aimed at a similar market.

Writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright helps us see the great sweep of this letter. Romans has long been viewed as the book above all in which Paul puts forth the basic doctrines of the faith, and the picture of God''s life for us. It is the classic setting-out of the Gospel. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

Instead of the seven words that Jesus spoke from the cross, Tom Wright invites you to consider seven words that people spoke to the cross -- people like Mary and the Roman centurion who witnessed the crucifixion, and Pontius Pilate, who helped to instigate it. The result is a powerful sequence of meditations that will move you to reassess your own response to Jesus'' death, his resurrection, and the continuing influence of his Spirit on those who follow him today.

"Writing from the perspective of his much admired scholarship, yet with a fluency and accessibility that few can match, Tom Wright argues that to understand ''justification'' from Paul''s point of view, it is necessary to see it in terms of four elements: the cosmic law court; the forward-moving purpose of God (''eschatology'') ; the fact of God''s achievement in Jesus Christ and our participation in him; and ultimately the single divine plan, through Israel, for the whole world (''covenant''). Above all, we will only see what ''justification'' is about when we recognize that we are part of a larger purpose. God is rescuing us from the shipwreck of the world, not so that we can sit back and put our feet up in his company, but so that we can be part of his plan to rescue and remake the whole of creation." --Book Jacket.

Tom Wright, especialista mundialmente reconocido en la vida y las epístolas de Pablo, nos explica de forma concisa cuál fue la verdadera contribución de Pablo al nacimiento del cristianismo. Este análisis va acompañado de una excelente introducción a los temas teológicos importantes en Pablo, y de unos apuntes muy interesantes sobre las implicaciones de estos temas para los cristianos de principios del siglo XXI.

Writing in an accessible and anecdotal style, Tom Wright helps us to approach the rich and many-sided story of the book of Acts. Wright shows how the book builds on Luke''s gospel, laying out the continuing work and teaching of the now risen and ascended Jesus in the power of the Spirit. His writing captures the vivid way in which Luke''s work draws us all into the story, while leaving the ending open and challenging, inviting Christians today to pick up and carry on the story as we in turn live our lives in the service of Jesus. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion, with background information, useful interpretation and explanation, and thoughts as to how it can be relevant to our lives today. No knowledge of technical jargon is required. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for personal or group use. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

What is Christianity? A philosophy? A set of ideas? A path to spirituality? A rule of life? Is it even a political agenda? Christianity is none of these things, yet it includes and, indeed, gives energy to them all. Christianity is a way of life. It is rooted in the good news revealed by an event that rocked the world. And those who believe this good news and live by it experience deep and lasting change. This is Paul''s message to the Corinthians - and to us today. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright captures the dauntless power of these letters. They were written by Paul while in prison facing the possibility of imminent death, yet burn with undimmed passion. Paul seeks to help direct the growing faith where his influence might prove crucial, and writes a very personal letter to a slave-owner on behalf of a runaway.

Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright manages to unravel the great complexity of this extraordinary gospel. He describes it as ''one of the great books in the literature of the world; and part of its greatness is the way it reveals its secrets not just to high-flown learning, but to those who come to it with humility and hope''. Wright''s stimulating comments are combined with his own translation of the Bible text. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information. The series is suitable for personal or group use. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright manages to unravel the great complexity of this extraordinary gospel. He describes it as ''one of the great books in the literature of the world; and part of its greatness is the way it reveals its secrets not just to high-flown learning, but to those who come to it with humility and hope''. Wright''s stimulating comments are combined with his own translation of the Bible text. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information. The series is suitable for personal or group use. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

Tom Wright''s eye-opening comments on these letters are combined, passage by passage, with his new translation of the Bible text. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the tension and excitement of the time as the letters seek to assert Paul''s authority and his teaching against other influences. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion, with background information, useful interpretation and explanation, and thoughts as to how it can be relevant to our lives today. No knowledge of technical jargon is required. The series is suitable for personal or group use. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

Tom Wright has completed a tremendous task: to provide comprehensive guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the urgency and excitement of Matthew''s Gospel in a way few writers have. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable commentary with helpful background information. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

A renowned Bible scholar, Tom Wright, opens up the message and meaning of the gospel of Matthew for today''s readers. He guides the reader through the world of the New Testament. Breaking down the gospel of Matthew into brief, easy-to-study segments, Wright shows how the message of this ancient book speaks powerfully to the spiritual longings of contemporary readers. New Christians and longtime followers of Jesus alike will find inspiration and practical wisdom for their journey within these pages. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the immediacy of Matthew''s gospel in a way few writers have. Tom Wright''s own translation of the Gospel of Matthew is combined, section by section, with useful explanation and interpretation of the passage, as well as thoughts as to how it can be relevant to our lives today.The format makes it appropriate also for daily study.

N T Wright offers reflections on the Sunday readings in the Revised Common Lectionary for Year B. This book brings together his widely read columns in the Church Times, and also contains new pieces, to cover all the Sundays and major festivals. Scholarship, history and insights into the world and language of the Bible are woven together to give a deeper understanding of the Word of the Lord. This book will be invaluable to anyone who wants to gather their thoughts in preparation for Sunday worship, or for regular Bible study throughout the year.

Tom Wright''s guide to Luke, which includes a wealth of information and background detail, provides real insights for our understanding of the story of Jesus and its implications for the reader. His clear style is accessible to new readers of the Bible, as well as to those who are further on. His exciting new translation brings to life, passage by passage, the immediacy and drama of Luke''s gospel. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

Tom Wright has completed a tremendous task: to provide comprehensive guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable commentary with helpful background information. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study. Tom Wright''s eye-opening comments on the gospel and what it might mean for us are combined, passage by passage, with his own fresh and involving translation. Making use of his true scholar''s understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the urgency and excitement of Mark''s gospel in a way few writers have.

To bring this widely acclaimed book completely up to date, the late Bishop Neill''s colleague N.T. Wright has revised and expanded the entire contents and added a new chapter covering New Testament scholarship of the last twenty-five years. This masterful survey describes the historical development of New Testament criticism, the contrasting personalities of scholars, and the permanent contributions made by various schools, ending with an assessment of the current status of the field.