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Christianity Today, April, 2008 |

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Heaven Is Not Our Home

The bodily resurrection is the good news of the gospel—and thus our social and political mandate.

N. T. Wright | posted 3/24/2008 08:57AM

There is no agreement in the church today about what happens to people when they die. Yet the New Testament is crystal clear on the matter: In a classic passage, Paul speaks of "the redemption of our ...

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Tyler Barnes

Posted: April 06, 2008 5:26 PM

I have read a lot of books on Eschatology over the years . This is the BEST book on the subject that I have ever read. Wright clearly believes that the New Heavens and the New Earth are going to be real, unlike, disappointingly, Brian McLaren, so it seems, asserts, in his latest book, "Everything Must Change". I could agree with MacLaren on 90 % of his book, but NOT on that. Wright's book makes up for that by still advocating working for social justice and portection of the environment of the present world and making the future resurrection of our bodies the reason for it. That diret link between the future transformation of this earth by God in nww creative act and OUR working towards changing this world to extend of the Kingdom of God by His grace, is his special contribution. It certianly helped to clear up my idea that the New Heavens and the New Earth will be enitrely a non-physical reality. Heaven will be "merged" with the New Earth which will be transforemd and made eternal

EYRL	Posted: April 06, 2008 4:52 PM


Theology of life, death, eternal life made difficult to understand. It also seems false. We need to be good stewards of what God has given us, the earth included. But, good works comes out of a relationship with Christ and that relationship brings us to heaven when we die.

Betsy G

Posted: April 06, 2008 2:55 PM

Part 4 (final): Join the town council, run for office, put on your halo and pass regulations that benefit some and harm others. That is what politics is all about, making winners and losers by redistributing wealth and doling out laws and regulations according to your belief system. By all means, as a Christian, do so respectfully and “as you are working for the Lord”, but don’t delude yourself in to believing that you are bringing heaven on earth, are saving souls or that your work is somehow more Christian than mine. I will be there fighting for what I believe is true compassion, protecting individual freedoms and responsibilities. We will not be aligned on political issues, but let us walk out of the halls of earthly power and proclaim the only truly Good News that the earth has ever known, the ultimate freedom and security afforded to Christ followers. Let us leave our earthly politics outside the door of our church and spur each other on to love Him and follow his commands.

Betsy G

Posted: April 06, 2008 2:51 PM

Part 3 I found it noteworthy that Mr. Wright did not mention the defining issues of our time such as the fight for the dignity of human life and the mainstreaming of deviant sexual behavior. These and other moral human actions are clearly delineated in the Bible as eternally destructive (I Cor 6:9, Rev 21:8), but I suspect that many of today’s Evangelicals who are desperate to ensure they are not associated with the so called Religious Right want to avoid these topics because they cannot read the Bible and take the same stand as the secular humanists do. Better to safely to tell everyone to change their light bulbs and drive hybrids. The true failure of the church has not been its lack of safeguarding the environment and other temporal issues, it has been the lack of moral clarity imparted to Christ followers. In the face of the church ceding its moral authority, secular humanists with earthly power have enacted laws and policies in direct contrast to God’s moral law.

Betsy G

Posted: April 06, 2008 2:48 PM

Part 2:. Politics at every level throughout time is about the government’s ability, unlike private organizations, to coerce compliance of whatever it determines is the so called common good. Mr. Wright seems to believe landscaping and open space are good. I believe that private property has historically shown to be the best safeguard of property from environmental damage. Mr. Wright applauds those who start a daycare for single mothers. I applaud those who work to disassemble the welfare state which has been the single biggest destructive factor to intact families, especially minorities. Mr. Wright wants us to fight African HIV and AIDS. I want us to fight the corrupt and evil dictators who have kept generations of individuals oppressed and poor so that they have no personal resources and defenses to fight off disease and starvation.

Betsy G

Posted: April 06, 2008 2:43 PM

Part 1:N. T. Wright’s book comes about 90 years too late, at least in America. That is when the Progressives began confiscating for bureaucratic rule services, functions and moral issues traditionally left to individuals and to free assemblies of individuals, including churches. This take over was completed by FDR and expanded under Johnson’s War on Poverty under the guise of guaranteeing Americans security in exchange for many of the freedoms and responsibilities once left to individuals and free assemblies. While in America there was not a wholesale takeover of private property, the bedrock of earthly individual rights and security, in other parts of the world human beings didn’t make out so well under secular humanist regimes determined to create utopia here on earth, but instead enslaving and murdering countless millions. While I am not suggesting that Mr. Wright is defending the actions of evil despots and dictators, I am suggesting that he is naïve.

Romans-1

Posted: April 04, 2008 11:58 PM


N.T.Wright is a false teacher who should not be given space in CT.

Robert Cox

Posted: April 04, 2008 5:02 PM

I'm done with this post modernism doctrine. This and the incorrect teaching of prosperity doctrine are going to keep some folks out of the real heaven, which by the way IS a reality (Paulk was even taken there once in his spirit). Wonder where Elijah went when he was "caught up"? I'm off your mailing list. You obviously have a form of Christianity, but are denying the power thereof. I'll pray for you.

Wm. S

Posted: April 01, 2008 12:32 PM


Mt 24:22 says if those days had not been cut short,no-one would survive. Does that mean we will fail?

Anonymous

Posted: April 01, 2008 11:28 AM

NT Wright's view is thoroughly biblical and reflects what the early Christian church believed. Some of the responses here are downright gnostic, coming more from Plato than the Bible. The idea that we need to escape from this world and that we shouldn't worry about helping to restore the world right now is simply not Christian. Nor is Wright simply articulating a "social gospel." He has written the most thorough and persuasive case for the bodily resurrection of Christ I've ever seen, something that the social gospel tends to just push to the side or treat as metaphorical. NT Wright is a brilliant and very gifted Biblical scholar. This article is only a very brief overview. In his books Surprised By Hope, he covers this theology much more. Or if you want a completely exhaustive treatment, read The Resurrection of the Son of God.

Derek

Posted: March 31, 2008 9:27 AM

Dear O. Irizarry: In response to your question to Dr. Wright about 1 Thes. 4:16-1 and Rev. 21 and 22, Dr.Wright has written often, (and in his commentaries and new books on the Resurrection), that these verses are about Jesus COMING BACK. In Rev. 21 and 22, the New Jerusalem comes from heaven to earth, and in Thessalonians, Jesus comes to earth and we meet him on the day down. By the way Steve, I suggest you actually read his books before you so dogmatically reject what he says. I particularly recommend "Surprised by Hope" or if you're up for it, "The Resurrection of the Son of God." (This second one is 720 pages.)

Alan	Posted: March 31, 2008 8:58 AM


Judging by some of the comments made on this message board, it appears some areas of the church are not at all interested in a comprehensive Biblical cosmology. The Bishop has invited us to read the Bible and to actually believe what it says. Is there something fearful about that? Thanks, NT Wright, for stepping on toes that deserved to be bruised a long time ago.

E Rydzewski

Posted: March 30, 2008 3:35 PM

A wonderful article on church mission. I question the life after life concept. If Jesus says to the thief He will be with in paradise, he isn't telling the truth since He wouldn't be there. I think Jesus is saying "I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise." The original had no punctuation, and I think translators put the comma where they thought it should be according to their dualistic beliefs. I can see the "dwelling places" being temporary if they are used by the redeemed after their resurrection when they go to heaven during the 1000 years. The earth has been purified by fire at His coming and will lay barron until the redeemed return with the New Jerusalem (see Rev) and made new. Rev. talks about a second resurrection and eternal death of the wicked then.

Miguel Wickert- Pineiro

Posted: March 30, 2008 2:06 AM

Before anyone uses words like loads of rubbish again, I'll ask that you not only read this article but his book "Surprised By Hope." I'm finishing my BA this May, with a concentration in Theology; Specifically, New Testament Studies. N.T. Wright is completely and accurately reflecting New Testament teaching in context. Before people try to bash the world's leading scholar and New Testament Theologian, I suggest you do the research. I've been following this scholar for the past three years. I promise you he is right on point! Get your copy of his book, better yet, simply do the research, it all there.

Enoch Era

Posted: March 29, 2008 1:23 AM

Wonderful. I have been debating lately in my mind and in my discussion with freinds about - how to make the chruch visible? for most Christians Chruch+Sunday Worship service. And it almost doesnt exist the rest of the week. so my struggle as a pastor/preacher has been how to make the chruch visible Monday to Saturday and I ahve also been wondering if church service is mandatory or could we worship God in diferent formats. Thanks to Dr. Wright for this piece. I am learning and able to see better now. Sir, I am glad you are presiding over a wing of the church. May the Lord of the chruch raise many more of your vision and wisdom.

Warren

Posted: March 28, 2008 11:15 PM


Is Wright a secret Seventh-Day Adventist?

tomfishstory

Posted: March 28, 2008 2:59 PM

I'm amazed that any thinking Christian doesn't yet get this. The Kingdom is among us. I am so concerned by presentations of the Gospel that make the rest of this life seem like just biding our time until we "get to go to heaven". First off, that is such a turn-off to so many hearers (maybe because in their souls they know it's just plain wrong), and second, that does indeed cause the church to become a ghetto. I'm reminded of Sara Groves's song where she sings, "We're taking our church to the moon." Eternal life, abundant life, has already begun. Kingdom life needs to be a vibrant life, here and now: building houses, playing with kids, writing songs, blogging... in short, living. Also, to the commenter Mike Ross who points out that "denominations and such have distorted the basics of the Christian Faith", I couldn't agree more (and neither, my brother, could Bishop Wright). But, when making a plea for unity and purity in Christ's Church, please try to be a little more humble.

stephen

Posted: March 28, 2008 4:46 AM


This is a new exposition about the end to me.it bring new strengt new life and new love for the Lord.praise be his name for ever.ALSO IT BRINGS A NEW DEPTH of trust,walking and working with God almighty,when He appear my our body will be renew and we will be like Him.Praise God

Dave Herman

Posted: March 27, 2008 10:42 AM

I'm surprised that so many find Wright's comments here disagreeable. As Dale Fincher pointed out above, the prophetic passages point to an earthly reign of Christ and a restored earth with restored bodies (the meaning of "new" as it is used in Rev 21:5). Remember that Paul said that believers will receive bodies like Christ's own (Phil 3:21)? The breakfast passage in John 21 shows that Jesus had physical qualities to eat fish and to invite Thomas to physically touch him in John 20. Wright's point is that "the kingdom of God is within [among] you." (See Luke 17:20-21) God is enacting his redemptive work through his saints now as a foreshadowing of the full restoration that is to come.

Jonathan Hunnicutt

Posted: March 26, 2008 3:47 PM

THIS ARTICLE IS AN EXCERPT FROM A BOOK! I'm sorry to yell, but some people are treating this article like it's N.T. Wright's full statement on the afterlife, when it's just a portion. Please read the whole context! To be clear, N.T. Wright does not believe in purgatory. In fact, when discussing purgatory in "Surprised by Hope" he made it look so lludicrous I laughed out loud. Also, N.T. Wright does believe in an intermediate state, he just thinks that resurrection is more important. [So does the apostle Paul BTW, how else do you explain approx 50 references to resurrection vs. 2 about intermediate state?] Please read the whole book before making assumptions about N.T. Wright's views. As for those of you who don't think we should be committed to the poor, to justice work, and only to the work of evangelism: How do you interpret Luke 4:16-21? Was Jesus kidding? Why can't good news be both spiritual and physical?

YDG	Posted: March 26, 2008 2:07 PM


N.T. Wright is cool. I like what he has to say. We are both reading from the same page!

Chuck

Posted: March 26, 2008 4:30 AM

2 Peter 3 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Philip Morrill

Posted: March 25, 2008 9:43 PM

This article tends to follow the theology of social gospel. As Christians, we are called to be "salt and light" in the world, but the call to all believers is to "make disciples". If we make their life better in this world, but fail to lead them to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lord, then we have failed the "Great Commission." The social work we do "in the name of Jesus" is to be a means to an end, not the end in itself. When people have been introduced to a "social gospel" type of Christianity, they are in danger of hearing Christ's words, "Depart from me, I never knew you." In the light of that "Great Commission", I want to be one who is spoken of in LK 12:42 The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I also hope to hear Christ's "well done" in MT 25:23

Darren King - Precipice Magazine

Posted: March 25, 2008 9:05 PM

Chris, A couple of things: 1.) N.T. Wright is one of the most skilled interpreters of God's word in the world, so you might want to remember that when discerning what exactly it is that the Lord promised. 2.) The New Testament clearly teaches that resurrection (in other words, bodily living), in the context of a renewed Earth is what ultimately awaits us, not some disembodied existence. Lets be sure to pay attention to what the New Testament actually teaches, rather than sticking with our familiar cultural assumptions- which just so happen, on this issue, to be totally misguided.

Phillip Shorter

Posted: March 25, 2008 6:18 PM

I agree with the authors' point that we should be working to transform the world, but I disagree that 'this world is our home'. While our resurrection and future home are both physical (after our waiting in the presence of the Lord after death), the new heavens and new earth are not merely patched up, re-conquered versions of this earth. This world (most especially the evil and sin-scarred aspects of it) will be judged and consumed by fire, and with the imperfect gone God will establish the perfect new world - our home forever, which He will dwell in with us. As others have said, social 'good works' are not at odds with the preaching of the Gospel, and we must do both because this is what Christ and the Apostles did. This said we must bear in mind that when the day of fire comes any who have not placed their trust in Christ will not survive it. By all means love people practically in this life, but declare Christ as THE LIFE, or else the love we are to lavish on them is incomplete.

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