N.T. Wright vs. Australia

In the opening chapter of Simply Good News, Wright gives an example of hearing “good news” by relating the story of the time he was in Atlanta and he heard the “good news” that England had beaten Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup (see pp. 7-8).

Jonny Wilkinson, the poster boy of English Rugby, had won the game with a drop-goal in the final half minute. Australia was devastated; England was ecstatic. I was ecstatic. This was the best sporting news England had had for many a long day. If part of the definition of good news might be ‘something you want to shout across the street,’ this certainly fell in that category … The trouble was, who could I tell? Who wanted to hear this good news? It was still early morning in Atlanta. I wanted to go to the reception desk in excitement and tell the clerks, ‘We just won the cup!’ I wanted to hug the concierge and say, ‘Did you hear the news?’ I wanted to shout it out to the sleepy joggers off on their morning run. I wanted to put up a big notice for everyone to see: ‘ENGLAND WON THE WORLD CUP!’ … The message about the World Cup was foolishness to Americans and scandalous to Australians. but it kept me happy all week.

Let me say that I solemnly promise, that if Australia beats England at cricket in the next ashes series, I am going to use it as an illustration of “good news” in the next book that I write.