Lecture - N.T. Wright - How Paul Invented Christian Theology

• published: 25 Apr 2014
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Lecture by N.T. Wright "How Paul Invented Christian Theology" Given 7pm - 9pm on Friday March 21, 2014 at The Lanier Theological Library Chapel in Houston, Texas. It is part of the Lanier Library Lecture Series. A series devoted to bringing world class lectures to benefit the community of all those who might be interested. I am indebted to the generosity of the library to allow me to share these videos of theirs. Please support them by visiting their website for more information and resources: http://www.laniertheologicallibrary.org/ N. T. Wright approaches the Apostle Paul as the world's first, and greatest, Christian theologian. Much of his lifetime study has had Paul, his life and writings, as the focus. He has offered detailed insights into Paul's life and times for over 30 years, beginning with his dissertation on Pauline Theology and Romans and continuing through his recently released, two-volume Paul and the Faithfulness of God. In between those writings, Wright has produced over 60 books, many of which have dealt with Paul, and another one is soon to be released, Paul and His Recent Interpreters. Bio info: N. T. Wright was born on December 1, 1948 in Morpeth, Northumberland, England. He is a retired Anglican bishop and a leading New Testament scholar. Wright was the Bishop of Durham in the Church of England from 2003 until his retirement in 2010. He is currently Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews in Scotland. In a 2003 interview he said that he could never remember a time when he was not aware of the presence and love of God. He recalled an occasion at age four or five when "sitting by myself at Morpeth and being completely overcome, coming to tears, by the fact that God loved me so much he died for me. Everything that has happened to me since has produced wave upon wave of the same." In addition to his Doctor of Divinity degree from Oxford University, he has also been awarded honorary doctoral degrees from Durham University in 2007, the John Leland Center for Theological Studies in 2008, the University of St. Andrews in 2009, Heythrop College, University of London in 2010, and the Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University in 2012. Among modern New Testament scholars, Wright is an important proponent of traditional views on theological matters including Christ's bodily resurrection and second coming. Further he has expressed strenuous opposition both to the ordination of openly gay persons and the blessing of same-sex partnerships and marriages. On the other hand, he has criticized the idea of a literal rapture, coauthored a book with his friend Marcus Borg, a widely known voice of liberal Christianity, and is associated with the Open Evangelical movement and New Perspective on Paul, both of which are controversial in many conservative theological circles. He has published over 50 books and spoken often on radio and television. His latest books include Paul and the Faithfulness of God, Paul and His Recent Interpreters (forthcoming), How God Became King, and The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential. One of his most important popular series is his New Testament for Everyone that includes 18 volumes.