The friendship of Fee and Wright

"As iron sharpens iron,
    so one man sharpens another."  
Proverbs 27.17, NIV


Readers of this blog are aware of the admiration I have for New Testament scholar Gordon Fee.  I don't think any writer or speaker has helped me more in my understanding of the Scriptures.

I have appreciation for his peer, Bishop N. T. Wright, as well.  More than one writer has noted that Wright has become something of a theological 'rock star.'  Whether it's one of his more than 40 books, one of his media interviews, or one of his lecture tours, Bishop Tom seems ubiquitous and we must deal with what he is saying.

It pleases me that these men are friends.  I have stumbled across their mutual appreciation a couple of times in my reading and wanted to pass this info along.

For instance, in the festschrift written in Fee's honor, Romans and the People of God (Eerdmans), Wright says this,

"One of the joys of our friendship has been the fact that at any moment of sudden meeting, at a conference, over a meal, or in a coffee break between classes at a summer school, we have been able to pick up complex and intricate discussions of Paul where we left them a day or a year before, and to offer new suggestions to one another in the knowledge that one will receive instant understanding, sharp and well-informed critique, and further insights or modifications that one had not thought of for oneself."

Fee, in this video where he is asked about his favorite authors, says,

"My favorite author would surely be Tom Wright, a good friend; and all the stuff that he does is just wonderful.  Yeah, I like Tom as a person and love the stuff that he writes."

I also ran across an interview where Fee showed the loyalty of a friend when the subjects of the New Perspective on Paul and Tom Wright came up.  The comments were part of the interview blogger Nijay Gupta was conducting with Fee on his commentary on Galatians,

Nijay: You seem to show some appreciation for the New Perspective on Paul.

Gordon: I did so, because the major proponents are personal friends, with whom I have disagreed vigorously in person. But in the public arena I refuse to do so.

Nijay: Generally, what do you appreciate about the NPP and in what areas would you critique Wright, Sanders, or Dunn with regard to their articulation of Paul’s view of the law and works in Galatians?

Gordon: They are absolutely right that “works” does not mean trying to get God’s favor by “doing something”; at issue is what role the Jewish law plays in what believers “do.” And since the major issue, that got this whole thing started at all, was the one Paul most vigorously opposes (namely the circumcision of Gentile males), I still think most later Christians miss Paul by an arm’s length on this issue.

I agree with Fee's --- and Wright's --- way of conducting a friendship:  honestly ... and loyally.