-
5 out of 5
by
Ian
from
Hardwick, MA | Jun 18, 2010
This book radically changed how I understand Christian ethics. I knew the rules-based, legalistic approach to ethics was bunk. I also knew that the 'to thine ownself be true' approach was BS. But I didn't know how to navigate between the two in a successful way. Christian virtue ethics are the answer: the goal is to anticipate the eschaton by building ourselves and each other up in the habits of heart, mind, and body that declare that there is a new way of being human. When we do that, and those habits really are habits, we can improvise faithfully in emergency situations. We will do the right thing almost instinctively, like when a pilot knows how to get a plane down safely after engine failure and there's no time to consult the manuals or radio for help.
There's a reason the ancient world scorned, for instance, the virtue of humility, and why our Post-Christian society clings to a shadow of it. According to Wright, it's part of a package of virtues that radically altered what living 'the good life' meant by recasting the pursuit of virtue from an individualistic exercise focused on "human flourishing" to a community-wide pursuit that brought suffering, the way of the Cross, into the equation and had, as its ultimate purpose, becoming the royal priesthood that God created us to be. Rules still play a role, of course, but they are the rumble strips and guard rails, not the road, of a virtuous life.
Typical of Wright, his chapter on practical matters (like how to start developing these habits) is comparatively weak to the rest of the book, but that's ok. Someone else will pick up the torch.
-
5 out of 5
by
Carrie
from
Jackson, MS | Mar 10, 2010
The title of this book--*AFTER YOU BELIEVE: WHY CHRISTIAN CHARACTER MATTERS--is what drew me to it. As N.T. Wright acknowledges within these pages, there is very often an either/or factor among Christians. We either live our lives trying to legalistically adhere to a bunch of rules (though the rules vary from person to person), or we give very little thought or care to how we live, knowing that "God's grace is sufficient" (which is true). But how we live between our conversion and our funeral very much does matter, and it is not found in either of these approaches. Wright reminds us that God will one day fully combine Heaven and Earth, but the process has already begun. And so has the transformation of character, or virtue.
Wright explains that "virtue is what happens when wise and courageous choices have become 'second nature' . . . Those who follow Jesus can begin to practice, in the present, the habits of heart and life which correspond to the way things are in God's kingdom--the way they will be eventually, yes, but also the way they already are because Jesus is here . . . But virtue is always the result of work and cost" (pgs. 21, 105, 216).
Having virtue does not mean that we are to be sinless (not that we ever could be), nor is it simply a matter of following someone's example--even Jesus' example! Rather, we are to engage in what Wright calls "The Virtuous Circle"--which involves scripture, stories, examples, community, and practices--and our character will thus be transformed. Our thoughts, words, and actions will begin to reflect our love for God and for other people, and it will just be "second nature," not our pursuit of following a list of rules.
Wright states, "The key is this: the 'fruit of the Spirit' does not grow automatically. The nine varieties of fruit do not suddenly appear just because someone has believed in Jesus, has prayed for God's Spirit, and has then sat back and waited for 'fruit' to arrive . . . The point of using the term 'fruit,' after all, is that these are things which grow from within rather than being imposed from without" (pgs. 195, 206).
I had never read any of N.T. Wright's books before this one, but I am anxious now to read his previous works. Although I was a bit intimidated to dive into this Bible scholar's teachings, I found that this book was challenging but not arduous, complex but not insurmountable. Truthfully, the only negative aspects of the book, in my opinion, are that it becomes somewhat repetitive and that Wright continually tells the reader of things he is going to talk about later in the book. (I'd rather he just let me know when I get there.)
Overall, this is an excellent book and one that I recommend every Christian read.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free by The Ooze Viral Bloggers in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
-
4 out of 5
by
Jabbott
from
The United States | Jun 7, 2010
Bishop N.T. Wright's newest work, "After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters," is a New Testament based approach to the world of Christian virtue and ethics. The problem, he states, is that so many Christians today find their religious life empty after they have come to believe in God. "What now?" is essentially the question that so many of us have asked after a conversion experience or a commitment to have faith in God. It's the "following Christ" that this book describes, stating how it leads to a holy life.
Bishop Wright approaches virtue in an ancient, yet refreshing, way: he refutes both those hard-liners who demand that morality be dictated by a strict set of rules (because that is neither life-giving nor possible), and those on the other hand who believe that individual morality should be aimed at reaching your true or authentic self (because this has no Godly basis or foundation).
Rather, Bishop Wright suggests, the Christian moral life ought to be one organically grown by habits of the heart and the practice of virtue over long periods of time. In this way, one will eventually follow the spirit of the rules that are meant to be life-giving, and one will also live out their true and authentic redeemed self.
However, this virtuous life, a life of sanctification by the Holy Spirit, will not come easy. It takes a lifetime of effort to consciously make the right decision, to make the Christian decision in all of life's little moral dilemmas and situations. Then, Bishop Wright declares, when the moral emergency arises, you will be so used to consciously making the right decision, you will do the Christian thing by "second-nature."
Finally, Bishop Wright says, this life of Christian virtue has to be lived in community. Since love, the primary and foundational virtue, has to be expressed to others, Christian virtue must be practiced with others and for others.
All in all, this is an excellent book which lays out the purposes of living the holy life. If you read this in conjunction with two of his other works, "Simply Christian" and "Surprised by Hope," you will find his writing accessible, biblically grounded, and the fount of many great blessings.
-
4 out of 5
by
Chris
from
Hiawatha, IA | Jul 6, 2010
I'm still chewing on whether or not to give this book five stars. This book is a fairly logical progression from Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope. Once Wright has discussed what it means to be Christian and then has outlined the Christian's hope for eternity, this volume deals with the idea of the Christian ethic or virtue.
Wright works with many passages both from the Gospels and from Paul's epistles to explain the concept of Christian virtue - the idea that by practicing virtuous character in the here and now, we are anticipating preparing ourselves for the way things will be in the eternal kingdom.
Once again good stuff from Wright. If I were to rank the books in this trilogy, I'd have to go with Surprised by Hope as number one, but After You Believe would be a solid #2.
-
4 out of 5
by
Paul
from
Winnipeg, MB, Canada | Mar 26, 2010
With characteristic depth and accessibility N.T. Wright ponders the practise of ethics in Christian discipleship. After You Believe is not an in-house discussion but includes dialogue with the great traditions of moral philosophy, especially the work of Aristotle. Methodologically, Wright takes his cues from Aristotle who believed that ethics had to be determined by your ultimate goal in life. The task then is to develop permanent character traits called virtues which spur you on to that goal. Wright follows this pattern but challenges and augments the content of Aristotle by placing centre stage the goal of being created in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, the normative Human One.
N. T. Wright provides insightful comments on how the Christian virtues, utterly unimaginable in the ancient world, things such as humility meekness and love, utterly transform the character of the person following this ethical path. Aristotle sought to form heroic leaders for his city. Scripture seeks to form servant individuals and communities for service in the realm or reign of God. What catches the eye especially is the replacement of magnanimity with servant leadership and willingness to suffer on the part of those who follow Jesus as the Human One.
After You Believe is an alternative to current ethical positions that stress existential authenticity or rigorous rule keeping. Discipleship ethics replaces these positions with strategies for making virtues "second nature." These virtue exercises involve habits and patterns of thought that when practiced over time result in permanent changes of character. This character creation is definitely empowered by God's grace but nevertheless requires cooperative effort on our part in order for it to become a living reality.
N.T. Wright has certainly done his research as is shown by the useful bibliography at the end of his book. These other works will lead those interested in ethics into profitable areas of exploration. Wright encourages us toward the transformation of our minds on the basis of Scripture in the context of community. Wright nonetheless sometimes cuts too close a line toward ethical rigorism especially when he speaks of obeying rules until your mind is reformed. My complaint would be that obeying rules instead of having one's mind transformed, even as a contingency in the short run creates a habit, a habit that can easily slip into unthinking moralism. With this one proviso, I whole-heartedly recommend After You Believe as a primer for discipleship ethics in the context of faith communities.