NT Wright, author of 'God and the Pandemic', answers live listener questions on racism, other religions, suffering, heaven, and the Gospels. He discusses the church's response to racial tensions, explores the meaning of 'poor in spirit' in the Beatitudes, and challenges common views of heaven. He also delves into the concept of fearing God and discusses salvation and the role of theology.
Living in heaven forever would not be boring as it entails a new creation where God's glory fills the earth with endless opportunities for joy, growth, and fulfillment.
The concept of slavery in the Bible must be understood within the cultural context of the ancient world, where it was a common and complex institution, and the New Testament aims to transform hearts and lives through the power of the Gospel rather than endorsing slavery.
Early Christianity challenged the institution of slavery, emphasizing the equality of all individuals and practicing worship together, laying the foundation for the trajectory towards emancipation and equality.
Deep dives
The Beatitudes describe the Kingdom of God and the type of people through whom God brings His Kingdom.
The Beatitudes, including the phrase 'poor in spirit,' describe the type of people through whom God brings His Kingdom. It is not about moral exams or personal virtues, but about reflecting God's character and living in obedience to Jesus. The poor in spirit are those who exhibit humility and are willing to surrender their own ideas for the shape of the Kingdom to God's instruction. The Kingdom of God is not about conventional power or violence, but about the transformative work of God through humble, meek, caring, and peace-seeking individuals.
Living in heaven will not be boring as God promises a new creation full of purpose, vocation, art, music, and more.
The idea that living in heaven forever would be boring stems from a limited understanding of what heaven entails. The biblical concept of the afterlife is not about an eternal church service but a new creation where God's glory fills the earth. God is the creator of this world full of beauty, excitement, and creativity, and the future life will be even more rich and extraordinary. It will be a place where all the glimpses of purpose and possibility found in this life will be enhanced, offering endless opportunities for joy, growth, and the fulfillment of our true calling.
The Bible does not endorse or promote slavery, but addresses it within the cultural context of the ancient world.
The issue of slavery in the Bible must be understood within the cultural context of the ancient world, where slavery was a common and complex institution. In ancient times, anyone could become a slave due to various circumstances, such as losing a battle or job. The New Testament addresses the reality of slavery, but does not endorse or promote it. Rather, it encourages slaves to honor God in their situation and masters to treat their slaves with fairness and kindness. The Bible's ultimate message is not about perpetuating a certain social order, but about transforming hearts and lives through the power of the Gospel.
Slavery in the ancient world was different from modern slavery, and the New Testament aimed to bring transformation rather than endorsing the institution.
Slavery in the ancient world was distinct from the chattel slavery of the transatlantic slave trade era. While slavery in the ancient world was still a problematic system, it was different in the sense that social mobility was possible and slaves had avenues for improvement and emancipation. The New Testament, particularly the teachings of Paul, sought to bring transformation within the existing social structures rather than explicitly endorsing or promoting slavery. It encouraged Christians to treat slaves as brothers and sisters, to value human dignity, and to recognize the inherent equality of all believers in Christ.
Relevance of Early Christianity in Addressing Slavery
Early Christianity emerged as a movement that challenged the institution of slavery. Despite living in a society where slavery was common, early Christians emphasized the equality of all individuals. They practiced worshipping together, treating slaves as part of the family. This presented challenges as the movement had to navigate the social consequences of challenging the existing power structures and avoiding the wrong perception of being revolutionaries. While slavery in the ancient world cannot be compared to the 19th-century concept, early Christianity in the context of its time laid the foundation for the trajectory towards emancipation and equality.
Understanding the Concept of Religion and Different Faiths
The modern concept of religion, with its categorization of different faiths, is a product of the 18th century Western world. However, this categorization does not necessarily reflect the diversity and distinctiveness of different religions. The relationship between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, often referred to as the three monotheistic religions, showcases radical differences in beliefs and practices. Beyond monotheistic religions, Buddhism and Hinduism present entirely unique systems of belief. While there may be similarities in how humans respond to transcendence and meaning, each religion holds its own distinct perspective. Christianity, anchored in the person of Jesus Christ, stands out with its crucifixion and resurrection, which sets it apart from other religions.
From 2020: Tom Wright talks about his new book ‘God and the Pandemic’ and takes a variety of live listener questions in this livestream edition of the show. Justin and Lucy Brierley ask Tom questions on racism, other religions, the problem of suffering, heaven and the Gospels, all submitted during the show via Facebook live.
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