Virtue Reborn: The Transformation of the Christian Mind First Edition

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What am I here for? How should I behave?

Faced with those questions, most people think in terms either of ‘rules’ or of ‘living authentically’. Both lead to problems.

In this book, full of fresh biblical exploration, Tom Wright proposes instead that we recover the ancient tradition of virtue – but from a thoroughly Christian, not just a philosophical, perspective. The virtues are the strengths we need to get to our goal, which he sees in terms of the whole new creation, with humans renewed to look after it.

Since that project was launched with Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit enables us to develop those strengths of character right now, and to reflect God’s image in the world. This is the way to become fully human – and to discover an authenticity and an affinity with God’s purposes that can be found no other way.

‘Tom Wright, with his usual wisdom and erudition, shows how an account of the virtues is not only compatible with but is also required by the New Testament understanding of what it means to be a Christian.’
Stanley Hauerwas, Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke Divinity School

‘This book is a rich treat.a most stimulating entry into the field of virtue ethics and.an enticing call to Christian people to live the life of Christian character.’
Dr David Atkinson, Christianity Today

‘Riveting.This book commands silence and awe and deserves detailed study.’
Graham Forbes CBE, Expository Times

‘The most inspiring and motivating book on ethics that I have ever read.’
Professor John Bryant, Third Way

Tom Wright is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews. Acclaimed by Newsweek as ‘the world’s leading New Testament scholar’, he has published over seventy books, including Simply Jesus (2012), Paul and the Faithfulness of God (2013), Surprised by Scripture (2014) and Simply Good News (2015) – all published by SPCK.