The Vision of Ephesians, by Tom Wright 

'Essential reading not only for the leaders of Bible study groups, but for individual Christians working on the practicalities of being God’s people in a secular and possibly hostile world'

 

The Vision of Ephesians
By Tom Wright 
SPCK
ISBN 978-0-281-09065-5
Reviewed by Martin M’Caw 

  
Tom Wright’s Vision of Ephesians is a fascinating read given the ‘apocalyptic insights’ of St. Paul. Each chapter is broken down into headed sections. For example in chapter 3 they are i) a Messianic prayer, ii) Hopes for the Messiah, iii) the roots of Paul’s prayer, iv) Isaiah’s glorious vision, v) the Messiah and his people, vi) a glimpse of the future, and vii) the elements of Paul’s prayer. 

Each chapter is similarly sub-divided into relevant headings which provide a biblical, classical and contemporary context which both illustrate and emphasize the points Paul is making.

For Wright the first three chapters are centered on worship,  while the final three chapters concentrate on mission which grew organically from the chapters on worship. Some scholars and influential church leaders accuse Wright of replacing soteriology with sociology although both perspectives belong together,  

As well as being devotional Wright adds a directional perspective. He reckons  the church as ‘God’s secret plan’ has had a bad press through organisations such as Deutshe Christen and its association with Hitler. Some apocalyptic theology reckons the Gospel was quite discontinuous with anything that had happened before. Whereas Paul is stating the creation of the church as a multiethnic community is ‘what God had up his sleeve all along’ as many Old Testament scriptures point in this direction ’bringing Judean and Gentile communities together in one single family.’  For Paul the Greek word Christos is more than just a name that equates with Messiah.

The working out of marriage, the role of wives and husbands and a ‘Jesus reflecting home’ are the overall applications of following Jesus. These then lead to being drafted into the Lord’s army to be new life people for the world, as stated by the subsection of the title ‘the task of the church and the glory of God.’

The Vision of Ephesians is essential reading not only for the leaders of Bible study groups, but for individual Christians working on the practicalities of being God’s people in a secular and possibly hostile world. The end the book is enhanced by suggestions for further reading by several authors and by the six page index to the topics and points within the book.

For developing our personal and corporate understanding The Vision of Ephesians is a must have. 
 

The Revd Dr Martin M’Caw is a retired Baptist minister, and Wing Chaplain to No2 Welsh Wing RAF Cadets, also retired