Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In this thoughtful follow-up to Simply Christian, today's leading Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and acclaimed author uses the Gospel of John to reveal how Christianity presents a compelling and relevant explanation for our world.



N. T. Wright argues that every world view must explain seven "signposts," indicators inherent to humanity: Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, Beauty, Freedom, Truth, and Power.

If we do not live up to these ideals, our societies and individual lives become unbalanced, creating anger and frustration--negative emotions that divide us from ourselves and from God, he contends. Using the Gospel of John as his source, Wright shows how Christianity defines each signpost and illuminates why we so often see them as being "broken" and unattainable.

Drawing on the wisdom of the Gospels, Wright explains why these signposts are fractured and damaged and how Christianity provides the vision, guidance, and hope for making them whole once again, ultimately healing ourselves and our world.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. vii)
• Introduction: The Seven Signposts (p. 1)
• 1 Justice (p. 11)
• Interlude: On Reading John ... (p. 31)
• 2 Love (p. 35)
• Interlude: God's Covenant Love in John's Scriptural Imagination ... (p. 57)
• 3 Spirituality (p. 61)
• Interlude: The Messiah in John ... (p. 85)
• 4 Beauty (p. 91)
• Interlude: John and the Jewish Festivals ... (p. 113)
• 5 Freedom (p. 117)
• Interlude: On Reading John and Listening for Jesus ... (p. 133)
• 6 Truth (p. 137)
• Interlude: Who, Then, Is Jesus? ... (p. 155)
• 7 Power (p. 159)
• Conclusion: Mending the Broken Signposts (p. 189)
• Scripture Index (p. 193)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Wright is not only a bishop in the Church of England but also a highly regarded Bible scholar and prolific writer. In this latest work, he explores a universal human experience that is often difficult to express in words--he describes the human sense that the world ought to be different, it ought to be better, as broken signposts pointing to transcendent realities. The yearning we all share for ideals such as justice, beauty, truth, and freedom to name a few are only some of the broken signposts that Wright explains are a clue to the joyful wholeness promised, delivered, and exemplified by Jesus. In his search for meaning in these broken signposts, he primarily focuses on the Gospel of John and ably wrings life lessons from this ancient account of the life of Jesus. A powerful section describes the meaning of freedom, and what it truly means to be free when inequalities abound throughout the world. VERDICT Wright delivers another readable apologia for the Christian faith. Recommended for those interested in growing or renewing their faith and for anyone looking for insights into our shared experience of a world that could and perhaps should be better.--Denis Frias, Mississauga Lib. Syst., Ont.