Episode Summary: Ask NT Wright Anything (#235) – "The New Testament in its World" with Mike Bird

In Episode #235 of the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast, released on December 5, 2024, host Tom Wright engages in a profound conversation with special guest and co-author Mike Bird. Together, they delve into their collaborative work, "The New Testament in its World," exploring its creation, structure, and the essential insights it offers into understanding the New Testament within its historical context.

1. Introduction to the Episode and Guest

Tom Wright warmly welcomes Mike Bird, marking the first time a guest joins the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast. Mike Bird, based in Melbourne, Australia, brings a wealth of knowledge in New Testament studies and has co-authored the featured book with Wright.

Timestamp [01:18]:
Mike Bird: "G'day from Melbourne and condolences to all my English friends for how the rugby went."

2. The Collaboration and Creation of "The New Testament in its World"

The collaboration between Tom Wright and Mike Bird originated from Philip Law of SPCK, who proposed combining Wright's extensive body of work into a comprehensive introductory volume on the New Testament. Over nearly a decade, Bird meticulously condensed Wright's writings, incorporating original material and visual aids to create an accessible yet scholarly resource.

Timestamp [03:55]:
Mike Bird: "I was sitting in a bar with Philip Law... you should get someone to work with Tom Wright... to condense it down into one volume in the genre of a New Testament introduction."

Timestamp [05:04]:
Tom Wright: "This is a big book. What are you trying to do then?... What can people expect?"

Tom Wright expresses astonishment at Bird’s ability to distill his complex ideas effectively, praising the inclusion of photographs, maps, charts, and diagrams that make the book user-friendly, especially for first-year theological students.

3. Overview of the Book's Structure and Content

"The New Testament in its World" is structured into nine comprehensive parts:

1. Reading the New Testament
2. The World of Jesus and the Early Church
3. Jesus and the Victory of God
4. The Resurrection of the Son of God
5. Paul and the Faithfulness of God
6. The Gospels and the Story of God
7. The Early Christians and the Mission of God
8. The Making of the New Testament
9. Living the Story of the New Testament

Each section aims to present a cohesive narrative that answers why Christianity emerged, its foundational shape, and the centrality of Jesus within it.

4. Listener Questions and Discussions

a. Balancing Personal Reading and Scholarly Study

Carol from Australia inquires about recommending a basic book for understanding the ancient world in relation to the New Testament. While acknowledging "The New Testament in its World" as a comprehensive resource, Tom Wright suggests alternative approaches for beginners.

Timestamp [09:58]:
Tom Wright: "Do you feel like this will become the standard text or are there other texts...?"

Wright recommends Josephus’s "The Jewish War" as an accessible primary source and acknowledges the potential need for a more focused primer on the historical context of Jesus.

Timestamp [12:21]:
Mike Bird: "One thing you can simply do is just read the classics... Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War."

Bird emphasizes the value of engaging with primary texts to gain a foundational understanding of the historical backdrop of the New Testament.

b. Reconciling the Historical Jesus with Personal Atonement

Barbara from Texas poses a poignant question about reconciling the historical portrayal of Jesus, focused on his contemporaries and the impending destruction of the Temple, with the personal concept of Jesus dying for individual sins.

Timestamp [27:45]:
Barbara (paraphrased): "...struggling to reconcile the historical Jesus... with the idea that he died for me personally."

Tom Wright addresses this pastoral concern by elucidating the broader narrative of God's plan through Israel and its fulfillment in Jesus, thereby bridging the historical and personal aspects of faith.

Timestamp [30:41]:
Tom Wright: "This is exactly how Jesus taught us to pray... it's about being part of a much bigger story."

5. Insights on Understanding the New Testament in Context

The discussion underscores the importance of viewing the New Testament not merely as a set of spiritual truths or theological constructs but as a historical document embedded within the socio-political and cultural milieu of the first-century Mediterranean world.

Timestamp [16:36]:
N.T. Wright: "The Holy Spirit can leap across the gaps in our understanding... make it very real and personal."

Wright advocates for a balanced approach where personal devotion and scholarly study complement each other, enhancing both personal faith and intellectual comprehension.

Timestamp [22:48]:
N.T. Wright: "Much of Western Christians need to unlearn... it's about understanding the New Testament as history."

Both Wright and Bird draw analogies to music and sports, highlighting the necessity of critical analysis to uncover deeper layers of meaning without losing the essence of their respective disciplines.

6. Mike Bird’s Epiphany and Its Impact

Mike Bird shares a transformative moment during his seminary studies when reading Wright’s "Jesus and the Victory of God" shifted his understanding of Jesus’ mission from a mere theological figure to a dynamic participant in a historical movement aimed at transforming Israel and, by extension, the world.

Timestamp [25:24]:
Mike Bird: "I read about his debates with the Pharisees... it revolutionized the way I understood the New Testament, the church, and my faith."

This revelation underscores the profound impact that contextual and historical insights can have on personal faith and theological understanding.

7. Conclusion and Information on the Book

As the episode nears its end, Tom Wright highlights the collaborative nature of the book and its availability through SPCK in the UK and Zondervan in the US. He encourages listeners to explore the book for a deeper, contextually rich understanding of the New Testament, reinforcing its potential as a staple in theological libraries and personal study.

Timestamp [32:09]:
Tom Wright: "I hope that's helped in some way... this book will give some people their own epiphanies."

Mike Bird adds final thoughts, reiterating the interconnectedness of Israel's story with the broader narrative of God's plan for humanity, as articulated in the New Testament.

Key Takeaways:

• "The New Testament in its World" is a comprehensive resource that synthesizes Tom Wright’s extensive work into an accessible format, enriched with visual aids and structured to support both academic and personal study.

• Understanding the historical and cultural context of the New Testament is crucial for a nuanced and profound comprehension of its texts and theological messages.

• Balancing devotional reading with scholarly study enhances personal faith and intellectual engagement, fostering a deeper connection with the scriptures.

• The collaboration between Tom Wright and Mike Bird serves as an exemplary model of combining scholarly expertise with clear, engaging presentation to create impactful theological works.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Bird [03:55]: "We're telling one story about the New Testament, and that is, why did Christianity emerge? Why did it take the shape that it did? And why was Jesus at the center of it."

• Tom Wright [16:36]: "The Holy Spirit can leap across the gaps in our understanding and make it very real and personal."

• N.T. Wright [22:48]: "A lot of Western Christians need to unlearn... It's about understanding the New Testament as history."

• Mike Bird [25:24]: "This revolutionized the way I understood the New Testament, the way I understood my church and my very own faith."

For those interested in deepening their understanding of the New Testament within its historical context, "The New Testament in its World" by Tom Wright and Mike Bird is a highly recommended resource. Available through SPCK and Zondervan, the book promises to be an invaluable addition to both academic study and personal exploration of faith.