Book Review:

“Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament”

By Christopher J.H. Wright

Jerry Hope

Student # 23805541

OBST 591

Dr. Steven Guest

Liberty University 11/28/2010

 1

INTRODUCTION

Before completing the first page, Christopher J. H. Wright’s book, “Knowing Jesus

Through The Old Testament” the writer had set the tone for the entire book. Wright displays his

love for the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as his love for Jesus Christ. Wright also expresses his

concern for Christians who love Jesus, but have failed to follow through with the dedication of

that love by adequately exploring the Old Testament. With an understanding of how the Old

Testament points to Christ, one will come away with a profound knowledge of exactly who Jesus

Christ really is.

Wright, who earned his Ph.D. from Cambridge University, is an Old Testament Scholar

making him the perfect writer for such a book. A native of Ireland, Wright currently resides in

London, England where he also serves as the director of international ministries for the Langham

Partnership. Wright is a respected minister, often preaching at his home church in Langham

Place, England, as well as around the globe. He is a noted author of several other books, all of

which express the importance of the Old Testament[ CITATION Lan10 \l 1033 ].

BOOK SUMMARY

The New Testament opens with 17 verses which layout the pedigree of Jesus Christ.

Wright places great significance on these opening verses of Matthew; and, rightly so. Wright

points out in his opening session of the book how the flow of the ancestors of Jesus is broken

down. There are fourteen generations from Abraham to David, another fourteen generations from

David to the exile to Babylon, and yet another fourteen generations from the exile to the birth of

Christ[ CITATION Wri92 \p 2 \n \t \l 1033 ]. Wright also demonstrates how God uses His

Son to explain the true meaning of obedience. Jesus was sent to set the example for mankind on

what God intended for the human race. The military calls this form of leadership, “leadership by
 2

example” and what a superb example Jesus was. Peter tells Christians we are to follow the

example of Christ (1 Peter 2:21-24).

In the following section, Wright continues along a similar path, focusing on the promises

of the Old Testament. But first, Wright takes time to explain the differences between predictions

offered in the Old Testament and the promises therein. Wright goes to great length to show how

the promises of the Old Testament go through different phases and require action on both parties

involved in the relationship, including the ongoing levels of a promise. Wright also uses an

analogy that suggests one could interchange the Old Testament name for Old

Covenant[ CITATION Wri92 \p 77 \n \y \t \l 1033 ].

In his third section, Wright draws a parallel between the relationship between God and

his Son, and God and his people, the Jews. This focuses on an individual level as well as on a

level of the masses. The main point of this parallel is in showing how through obedience, God

will richly bless his children.

Continuing the theme of Obedience Wright begins the fourth section with Galatians 3:26,

“God sent his Son…” Jesus was given no special powers, or powerful earthly title. Jesus was

sent to do the work of his Father. Several connections with Old Testament passages shine

through in this section. One reference being the book of Daniel with references to the image of

the Son of Man. Wright also points to the servant of the Lord theme with echoes throughout the

book of Isaiah. This section concludes by connecting the mission of Jesus Christ to the mission

of Christian’s, and the church of today.

In the final chapter, Wright points out the promise of God are for all people, but first to

the Jews. Wright uses this section to put obedience into context of historical setting. Wright

shows how God uses Jesus to counter the legalism of the Pharisees. Using scripture from the Old
 3

and the New Testament, Wright shows how God uses Jesus to explain the importance of the Old

Testament.

CRITICAL INTERACTION

One of the main focuses of the Wright book is to open the eyes of the Christians who are

under the belief that the Old Testament is a useless document; that Christianity begins with the

birth of Jesus, and therefore only the New Testament is valid. Wright begins this first section by

using sarcasm to point out how Christians overlook, or possibly avoid the first 17 verses of

Matthew. Wright then spends time focused on explaining verse 17, during which time he tells

how Jesus completes the story which begin in the Old Testament.

Wright also uses the information found in these first 17 verses to build the foundation for

his case. The use of a genealogy that lists known people adds to the realization that Jesus was a

man. Wright goes to great lengths to insure the reader understands that Jesus was also a real Jew,

no matter how much some wish it were not true.

From there, Wright breaks down the generations, explaining how within each critical

period in the life of the Jewish people fell into a similar pattern of disobedience resulting in

oppression of God’s people. Wright used this point to show how God controlled not only the

people of Israel, but God also controlled world history. Additionally, Wright points out how each

time His people return to God and once again agree to follow God’s laws, He again blesses His

people. Throughout this first section, Wright shows the reader how the Old Testament sets the

stage for the coming of Jesus Christ. Using the first verses of the New Testament, Wright builds

a bridge back in time which to artfully point the way to a promise fulfilled.

In the second chapter, Wright addresses the promises of the Old Testament. Wright

expresses how Matthew mentioned the word “fulfillment” a number of times. Wright writes,
 4

“By Repeated use of the fulfillment phrase, Matthew clearly wants his readers to see that
Jesus was not only the completion of the Old Testament story at a historical level, as his
genealogy portrays, but also that he was in a deeper sense its fulfillment.” [ CITATION
Wri92 \p 56 \n \y \t \l 1033 ]

By this, one can easily see how God continues to pour out his grace on his people, as he

promised He would, despite the constant disobedience of the Jewish people. However, the theme

to which Wright continues to adhere is that of obedience and how God demands it of His people.

Wright also makes a distinction for his readers between predictions and promises.

Promises require an intimate connection between two parties. While a prediction is nothing more

than an educated guess that may, or may not come to fruition. God’s promises are given out of

the grace of God. Wright points out that the people of God must respond by accepting God’s

grace with a response of obedience and complete faith in Him.

As the book continues, Wright develops the identity of Christ by drawing attention to Son

of Man title Daniel speaks of. Wright points out that even the pagan king Nebuchadnezzar

recognized the Son of Man. Wright also points out how Israel is the son of God as well. Wright

used this comparison to again speak of obedience, as one might give to one’s parent. Israel is to

give the same level of obedience to the Father, Abba. Jesus showed a level of obedience to His

Father by also being obedient to the people of Israel. Wright reminds us of Mark 10:45 which

say, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a

ransom for many.” And, because of Christ’s obedience to God the Father, Israel was the recipient

of God’s grace once again.

In the next chapter, Wright makes a profound statement. Speaking of Jesus, Wright says;

“He was no self-appointed savior, no popularly elected leader. He had not just arrived.
He was sent.” [ CITATION Wri92 \p 136 \n \y \t \l 1033 ]
 5

Although, by the time Jesus was in his ministry, the people of Israel were looking for a

warrior-king to come to save their land. The Messiah was expected to conquer the world and

rebuild the temple to world glory. Jesus was not the Messiah the Jewish people had in mind.

Wright points out that the Jewish people had visions of the restoration of Israel.

Another key point in this section of the book is that of servanthood. Wright points out

that Jesus was a servant, just as Israel was meant to serve. Additionally, Jesus’ servanthood

extended to salvation to all nations, not just to the Jews. Wright reminds the reader that Paul

spoke of this topic. Paul said that salvation for the gentiles proved God had not rejected Israel. In

the letter to the Romans, Paul reminds the reader that salvation is not about whom we are or what

we have done, but what God has done. Salvation is only achieved through the grace of a

forgiving God.

In the final section of the book, Wright begins by reviewing Matthew chapter 4, where

Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness. Wright points out that a life centered on a faithful service

of God is one of little worry as God will provide all needs. Wright connects the Old Testament

laws to the teaching of Jesus in this final chapter, thereby proving the importance of one

knowing and understanding the Old Testament. Wright emphasized that Jesus came to fulfill the

law (Matthew 5:17).

In another of Wright’s profound points, he makes the following statement;

“Sheer gratitude should trigger obedience out of a desire to please the God of such
faithfulness and salvation.” [ CITATION Wri92 \p 196 \n \y \t \l 1033 ]

This is a statement every Christian should put into practice every day. This book by

Wright is an education into the interweaving of the Old Testament and the New Testament. As

such, no one statement would sufficiently explain this work. But, with the thread of obedience
 6

Wright has masterfully woven into each section of this book, this one statement would go a long

way in summarizing the work by Wright.

CONCLUSION

The reader of the Wright book will be drawn in to studying the Old Testament.

Regardless of the experience level of the reader, the layout of the book encourages everyone to

investigate the old Hebrew Scriptures. By doing so, the reader will leave this work with a new

understanding of Israel, the Jewish people, the nations of today, and more importantly Jesus and

one’s walk with God.

 7

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Langham Partnership International, Inc. (2010). Chris Wright. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from
Langham Partnership: http://www.langhampartnership.org/chris-wright/

Wright, C. J. (1992). Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. Downers Grove: InterVarsity
Press.