Book Review: For All The Saints by N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright writes a fine introduction on how Christians should view the saints that have departed. He shatters certain misconceptions that have plagued the Church for centuries. Among them, is the horrific doctrine of purgatory. As an able historian and exegete, Wright traces the central errors in this Roman Catholic doctrine as well as criticize his own Anglican tradition for attempting to restore this doctrine in a form of neo-purgatory.

According to Wright, churches have developed “fresh variations on the old theme of commemorating All Soul’s Day” (xiii) that are unbiblical and find no basis in church history. He is unwilling to compromise if this commemoration is unbiblical. He writes:“After attending several of these annual events, I got to the point a few years ago where I decided that, in conscience, I could do so no longer” (p. 47).

The common doctrine of purgatory teaches that by praying for dead in particular masses–loved ones gone before us–will reach heaven sooner. Wright disagrees with this doctrine and argues persuasively that the Catholic Church has erred greatly in this matter. In fact, even recent scholarship–including the work of Pope Benedict–turns away from this long held Catholic dogma. Perhaps the only well-known text used to defend purgatory is found in First Corinthians 3:10-15. But as Wright argues (p.25) the point of that text is not that some will have to pay for their lack of good works by being purged in purgatory, but rather, that those who are saved will be saved either completely or by the skin of their teeth (as Jude also implies).

In this treatise, Wright rejects universalism (p.42) and implicitly and explicitly condemns inclusivism. But beyond that, he boldly defends the bodily resurrection of all the saints (both alive and dead) in the blessed Second Coming of our Lord. Further, he chastises those who have adopted a subtle gnosticism in their hymnody. Wright delves deep into great hymns and pulls out the good , the bad, and the ugly, proving thus, that our music needs also to re-affirm a commitment to God’s reign and lordship over all things, including the body. But most significantly, Wright affirms the biblical doctrine that the saints gone before us await the same thing we wait: the day when our bodies will rise in glory.