"The Day the Revolution Began" - Wright or wrong? (5)

Chapter 3

Towards the end of Chapter 3 (Loc 1006) Wright gives a summary of where the book is going. He emphasises that the Christian hope is much more than “going to heaven”, something I agree with. However, he then says:

Second, in the usual model, what stops us from “going to heaven” is sin, and sin is dealt with (somehow) on the cross. In the biblical model, what stops us from being genuine humans (bearing the divine image, acting as a royal priesthood) is not only sin, but the idolatry that underlies it.

He then talks about idolatrous humans as having handed over the power to the idols. Now, there is some truth in this, but what worries me is that Wright seems to be casting us as victim, rather than as guilty sinners. Or rather, putting victimhood above guilt. This is a very worldly perspective to take. Now when we sin we become slaves of sin, we do become victims, but the root of it all is our sin in the first place, not the slavery we now find ourselves in. If someone takes drugs and gets hooked they will indeed be a victim, but ultimately it is their own fault for having taken drugs in the first place. This does not mean we ignore the suffering and everything else that goes with being an addict, it does not mean that we do not try to help, but it is essential to keep in clear focus where the root of the problem lies. The Bible is absolutely clear, from beginning to end, that root of man’s problem, both on an individual and a corporate level, is our sin. Wright says (loc 1013) sin is the consequence of idolatry. This is completely the wrong way round. True we get into a vicious circle, but sin is the root, and idolatry is sin.

He then goes on to say that through Jesus God breaks the power of idols and brings in a new creation. This is true, but the fundamental problem is our sin, and the primary purpose of the cross is to deal with that problem. From this many things flow, but dealing with sin is the root of it all. Wright seems to be making the mistake that many make of not making sin our biggest problem.

This brings us to the end of Part I of the book. As you can see, I think Wright is fundamentally in error in some aspects, though he is correct in seeing that the cross has enormous consequences, and that indeed is something that all of us need to get a better appreciation of.