LAST NIGHT AT CHURCH we sang Psalm 82, with one verse saying: “Arise, O God, and rule the earth, for you shall take all nations for your own.”  This psalm, I teach my sophomores, would be known as an enthronement or royal psalm, one that celebrates God as king, who rules over the earth of his creation.

That’s a key part in N. T. Wright’s thinking on Jesus as he is portrayed in the four Gospels.  And it’s a part that he suggests that most Christians have inadvertently missed or minimized in our conversations on the nature of God, Jesus, and the world around us.

Wright most recently articulated this line of thought in How God Became King, a book that dropped a few months ago, a book that I devoured over a few days.  Whatever your thoughts on Wright (and opinions and concerns vary wildly), there’s something so conservative about his approach to the biblical text and turn-of-history worldview that almost comes across as radical.  His assertions about the kingdom and kingship of Jesus are a great example of that.

The folks over at Patheos recently posted an interview with Wright done in connection with that most recent book.  It’s a good summary of things, a whetting of the whistle (so to speak) if you’re interested in some thought-provoking reading.  Even if you disagree with him, I think you’ll find the read worthwhile (article and book).  You can find the article here.  I’d love to hear your comments, too, so feel free to share.

(image courtesy of freewebs.com)