Wright on Pre-Pub and the Origins series

Well spotted - it can only have arrived in the last few minutes! But the Christian Origins and the Question of God isn't part of this collection, so I guess there's going to be no break.

Just like to add that it seems all of the "For Everyone" books get raving reviews at Amazon.

And I found some answers to my questions.

About the "Twelve Months of Sundays":

These texts
(12 Months of Sundays A/B/C are a great aid for clergy who want to use the
church calendar of readings as the basis for their sermons. My wife and I read
them along with the Scripture readings for the day every Sunday before our time
of prayer together. I recommend these works for all pastors and for Christians
who want to incorporate the traditional Scripture reading schedule into their
devotional lives.

About "For Everyone"

This is a
book that can be used as a sermon resource (and what a resource it is!), a
daily devotional guide, or simply a new, exciting path through the New
Testament.   and

If you're
looking for an academic commentary, this is not for you. But if you're looking
for an academically grounded, biblically faithful, and wisely popular commentary
on Matthew, you need look no further.

However, still interested in what others think about these books.

I enjoy reading Tom Wright's academic books, but find his 'simpler' books dull. I know I'm in the minority. The 'For everyone' series reads a bit like an expositional commentary. Most sections are only a few pages, and will likely begin with an illustration, for example. The exposition itself will be easy to understand and clear principles are drawn out. What's unusual, however, for expositional commentaries is that the scholarship underlying the exposition is of a very high order.

Now you're thinking: that sound's great! Why does he think they're dull? Two reasons. First, although Wright brings out some really excellent principles, he never applies them. He tells you all about the Corinthian church (for example) and what Paul was saying to them, but he never tries to apply those principles to us. In a sense that's what you want in an academic commentary, but it's not what I want in an expositional commentary, and I miss it. The second reason that I find Wright's popular books dull is that I get frustrated with him for not really saying what he means. I don't know if it's the old CofE problem of being all things to all men, or the postmodern problem of allow the reader to make his own interpretation, or the human problem of just wanting to be liked by everyone, but it's almost impossible not to like or agree with what Wright says in most of his popular works. When I know I disagree with him on some fairly fundamental points, that's frustrating. When I know that he'll disagree with some of his other readers on different points, that again he doesn't raise, then that's doubly frustrating. Unfortunately it comes across to me as a lack of conviction, and it's that that makes it a dull read for me. (Though I've still placed my order!)

Rosie Perera said:

it's too bad it doesn't include Justification: God's Plan and Paul's Vision. I think it would settle a lot of the confusion over this "new perspective" debate. I personally am looking forward to reading it but will have to settle for it in paper for now.

Maybe it can be added to the bundle!?

We can at least ask N.T.Wright when Logos interviews him.   http://community.logos.com/forums/p/26054/192292.aspx#192292

Allen Browne said:

Mark, while I don't find the Everyone series as useful for me personally, I certainly would not call them dull. In fact, my wife and I bought the set (in paper) to hand out to family and friends who would never read a more academic commentary.

That is my feeling about them too. While they are probably not something I would need to read cover to cover, I'm sure there are passages in them that I'd want to quote to others when explaining things, because they are so accessible. Also if I get them in Logos, then I can give away my paper copies and recover some shelf space. [:)]

Mark B, I agree with you to some extent, especially about Wright apparently not saying what he really means. I find he leads to a conclusion and then stops just short, and sometimes turns around and says something which sounds quite different. I'm purchasing the bundle anyway, just because of the higher order material.

I heard NT Wright speak this week on our campus, and I'm reading both Piper's book and Wright's "Justification". Hope to finish them both this weekend if it snows and forces me to stay home/inside! No conclusions yet, just some scattered observations [:D]