NT Wright, a pot of tea, and a slice of sugary nuance

In light of some of the criticism coming NT Wright’s way in recent weeks over how he talked about the abortion debate, particularly in the US, I want to offer a – hopefully – irenic critique of some of his positions in recent years.

My concern is that when it comes to some big issues, the nuance goes in the wrong direction, and he has sometimes aimed his arrows at either those who don’t deserve it – or at straw men –  while sometimes providing air cover for some who may not deserve such air cover.  

Wright is a fine writer and has done immense good in his theological reflections. But on some issues he is proving less helpful, particularly in pronouncements around ethical issues, in which his pastoral skill is evident, but his public theology seems skewed or slightly naive.

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Anyone For Tea?

NT Wright once said something along the lines of this: wherever the early church went it started a revolution, but wherever the vicar goes, someone offers him a cup of tea.  That’s the tweet right there!

Increasingly, something about the manner, not only in which he engages theologically and politically, but also in the places that he lands, feels more like making bevies, rather than manning barricades.

Now, here’s my caveat – my nuance – if you like. NT Wright’s writing can be magisterial. He operates in mind-shifting, category-breaking and theologically sophisticated ways. But…

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