Wright's subtitle aptly describes his purpose with this work, which is to rethink what is essential to Christianity. His conclusions are both simple and world-shaking. The "good news of the Gospels" is not, as many Christians and non-Christians seem to believe, that if you behave well and believe in Jesus then you will go to heaven when you die. Wright doesn't deny the existence of some paradisical resting place, the "many rooms in my Father's mansion" of Scripture, but he offers that the real promise is of another life in God's new creation. Jesus's resurrection in this light is simply the first instance of this new life foretold for all. Wright believes this new creation will be a redeeming of God's first creation; for him, far from rushing to leave this world behind, a Christian's true calling is to work toward this new creation right now. Readers will need a Bible handy to appreciate this work fully, as Wright prefers to cite rather than print Scripture. His prose, deep but not murky, is lightened by glints of humor. For any library serving patrons who are willing to think a bit about religion.
Eric Norton
In this groundbreaking book-available in audio for the first time-renowned Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling author N. T. Wright argues that Christians have not distorted the Bible's message about heaven and what happens after we die.
For years, Christians have been asking, ""If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?"" It turns out that many believers have been giving the wrong answer. It is not heaven.
Wright outlines the present confusion about a Christian's future hope and shows how it is deeply intertwined with how we live today. Wright asserts that Christianity's most distinctive idea is bodily resurrection, and provides a magisterial defense for a literal resurrection of Jesus. Wright then explores our expectation of ""new heavens and a new earth,"" revealing what happens to the dead until then and what will happen with the ""second coming"" of Jesus. For many, including many Christians, it will come as a great surprise to learn that heaven comes to earth instead of us going to heaven.
Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation-and if this has already begun in Jesus's resurrection-the church cannot stop at ""saving souls"" but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life.
In this groundbreaking book-available in audio for the first time-renowned Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling author N. T. Wright argues that Christians have not distorted the Bible's message about heaven and what happens after we die.
For years, Christians have been asking, ""If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?"" It turns out that many believers have been giving the wrong answer. It is not heaven.
Wright outlines the present confusion about a Christian's future hope and shows how it is deeply intertwined with how we live today. Wright asserts that Christianity's most distinctive idea is bodily resurrection, and provides a magisterial defense for a literal resurrection of Jesus. Wright then explores our expectation of ""new heavens and a new earth,"" revealing what happens to the dead until then and what will happen with the ""second coming"" of Jesus. For many, including many Christians, it will come as a great surprise to learn that heaven comes to earth instead of us going to heaven.
Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation-and if this has already begun in Jesus's resurrection-the church cannot stop at ""saving souls"" but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life.
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Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church
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Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940173408112 |
---|---|
Publisher: | HarperCollins |
Publication date: | 02/27/2018 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
Sales rank: | 1,200,915 |
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