Christopher Wright: Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament Essay (Book Review)

Introduction

The book ‘Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament’ gives readers an analysis of the bible teachings with specific focus on the Old Testament. By the end of the book, the author, Dr. Christopher J.H Wright, intends that the readers will have a greater appreciation of the book of the Hebrews and his Lord.

Additionally, it is the authors’ objective for the readers to have a greater understanding of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and why Jesus is the representation of God’s spirit. Dr. Christopher Wright is currently the director of Langham Partnership International in the United Kingdom. In his book, Wright mainly focuses on Jesus Christ as the savior of the world as it is illustrated in the Gospel teachings of the New Testament.

He also illustrates the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament teachings. His objective is to enable the reader to develop a concrete understanding of God. This paper illustrates how Wright in his book’ Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament’ intends his readers to develop a concrete understanding of the value of the Old Testament to Christians.

Brief Summary

Wright uses the book of Matthew from chapter 1 to chapter 4 to portray Jesus as being the completion of the Old Testament teachings. The author also shows God to have fulfilled His promises through Jesus Christ.

He also depicts Jesus as the Son of Man and as a Servant of God. In this book, Jesus is also portrayed as the Son of God who surrenders to His Father. His obedience to the Father acts as a model of what is required of Christians if they are to receive God’s blessings and promises.

By analyzing the genealogy of Jesus Christ as illustrated in the book of Matthew, Wright intends the readers to develop comprehensive understanding of God’s plan for all mankind.

For example, the book gives a historical background of from the time of Abraham to David and then from David, to when the Israelites went into exile and the coming of the Messiah. The historical background shows the theme of God’s moral expectations of His people. This is depicted by God’s grace of redeeming His people through unmerited favor.

Wright focuses on the promises of God as illustrated by the various Old Testament covenants. He asserts that a clear difference between a promise and a prediction should be made. Wright is of the opinion that a prediction is probabilistic in nature in that it might or might not occur while a promise entails development of a certain level of commitment and fulfillment of the promises made.

According to Wright, all the Old Testaments were an initiative from God which was followed by His promises. The people were required to respond in a certain way in order to receive the promises. Wright shows this by illustrating a number of covenants within the Hebrew’s Scriptures.

Another theme that Wright focuses on relates to the identity of Jesus. Wright achieves this by analyzing the Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus. The author also illustrates the theme of obedience which is a necessity in order to receive God’s blessing. Wright depicts this by evaluating God’s attitude towards Israel as their father and what He expects of Israel as His son.

The book also focuses on the mission of Jesus Christ on earth. This is evidenced by the Old Testament prophetic scripture found in the book of Daniel which portrays Jesus as the Son of Man. The author also discusses the theme of Jesus being the Servant of the Lord as it is illustrated in the book of Isaiah. This shows Jesus’ obedience and his mission to the whole world.

In his analysis, Wright illustrates God’s value as they are depicted by Jesus’ interaction with mankind during His earthly life. Other themes that taught by Jesus include keeping God first, giving more preference to people over things and being more concerned with needs rather than rights.

This shows Jesus’ contrast over the legalism that was being advocated by the Pharisees. In summary, the book entails an analysis of God’s message of promise to His people and what He expects His children to live.

Critical interaction with the book

By outlining the genealogy of Jesus, the author enables one to learn a number of issues about Jesus. First, Jesus is portrayed to have been a real Jew and also a mortal being. He is also shown to be the Son of David. Additionally, his birth depicted the culmination of an era and the beginning of a new one.

In order for readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of God’s intention for mankind, Wright gives a historical background of the bible. He illustrates the various occurrences prior to the birth of Jesus. From the time of David to Solomon, Wright illustrates the prosperity of Israel and the resulting decline which is depicted by the split of the kingdom into two Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah).

Wright also evaluates the persistence of disobedience in Israel which is evidenced by the rampant rate of idolatry and the high level of disobedience. This led into the Israelites going into exile in Assyria. After some time, the kingdom of Judah also suffered with the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem and the subsequent deportation to Babylon in 586 BC.

From these occurrences, Wright shows two main characters about God. Firstly, God is the only one who is in control of the world. Secondly, God requires complete obedience from His people. As a result of disobedience, Israel underwent an enormous suffering.

After being delivered from exile, Wright illustrates points out that the Israelites greatly appreciated the importance of obedience. As a result, they became more stringent in adhering to the law. However, Israel also became subject to foreign rulers.

The Israelites became more passionate about the coming of the Messiah who would rescue them from their predicaments. This shows that it was time for Jesus to come. According to Wright, the Old Testament illustrates a story that is completed by Jesus in addition to the fulfillment of God’s promises¹

In writing this book, Wright’s goal is to enable readers to understand a number of issues. Firstly, the author intends the readers to appreciate the sovereign character of God. This is illustrated by God’s abundance of grace that He showed His people, the promises He made to them and His expectations of obedience.

Additionally, Wright also illustrates the love of God that goes beyond Israel to all nations of the world. This is depicted in Psalms 47: 8-9.

Wright’s goal is also to enable the readers appreciate the difference between a promise and a prediction. According to him, it is only through this that one can be able to understand God’s character and His promises. Wright asserts that a promise is made between two or more parties amongst whom a relationship exists.

There is also a high probability that the promise will be fulfilled compared to a prediction whose fulfillment is not guaranteed. Additionally, a promise requires that there be a response. According to Wright, the promises of God are entirely dependent on His grace. However, one has to acknowledge the grace and respond by being obedient and by having faith².

By giving a biblical background from the time of Abraham to David, from David to the suffering of Israel and the coming of Jesus, Wright illustrates the fact that obedience is a critical element if one is to enjoy the promises of God. Wright also shows that the coming of Jesus was God’s plan to reveal Himself to the world. In summary, Wrights message mainly focuses on obedience.

One of the strengths of Wrights argument is that he gives a critical historical background of God’s promises to his people and the consequences that befell them due to disobedience. Additionally, most of the issues evaluated by Wright are easy to understand. This increases the probability of individuals appreciating the importance of the Old Testament to Christians.

Wright is also successful in illustrating Jesus as the Son of Man and as the Lord’s Servant. As the Servant of God, Wright depicts Jesus’ role as that of restoring Israel while as the Son of Man, Wright portrays Jesus’ earthly ministry, His rejection, death, resurrection and His coming. Wright successfully illustrates the link between Jesus’ suffering and servant-hood.

This is illustrated in Mark 10: 45. However, one of the weaknesses of Wright’s argument relates to the illustration of the Messiah. This is evidenced by the chapter on Christ’s identity which shows that the concept of Christ as the Messiah is not envisioned within the entire Old Testament however it is conceived in the book of Daniel.

The book ‘Finding Jesus Through the Old Testament’ has attracted a number of reviewers. One such reviewer is Paul Alexander who asserts that Wright is thorough in his text and context.

For example, his book ‘Finding Jesus Through the Old Testament’ leaves the readers with a comprehensive understanding of Jesus to have transcended and transformed the traditional models. Alexander asserts that Wright’s book enables readers to appreciate the scriptures with regard to Jesus.

According to Alexander, Wrights book can be of great help to pastors in preaching better sermons. This arises from the fact that pastors will be able to preach their sermons on the basis of biblical theology. The book gives pastors an opportunity to make better interpretation of biblical teachings.

Additionally, the book has a capacity of making individuals who only appreciate the New Testament to develop a strong and unimaginable relationship with God.

Conclusion

Wright’s book has successfully combined three main set of works. This is evidenced by the fact that the book gives readers an opportunity to understand the three members of the Holy Trinity more effectively through the Old Testament. By reading the book ‘Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament’, readers are even motivated to read other books by Wrights.

By reading book, individuals appreciate the fact that there is only one true God in the whole world despite their difference with Wright’s theological persuasion.

Wright’s book makes the readers to appreciate the righteousness of God as it is articulated in His plan in addition to his faithfulness in fulfilling the promises to His people. Additionally, it also makes one to appreciate the importance of obedience in receiving God’s promises and the fulfillment of God’s ultimate mission plan for the whole world.

Reference List

Wright, Christopher. 1995. Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Footnotes

¹ Wright, Christopher. 1995. Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

² Wright, Christopher. 1995. Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.