Surprised by Hope
Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church
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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 0-06-155182-1
ISBN-13: 9780061551826
Publisher: HarperOne
Country:
Year: February 1, 2008
Size: 16.00 x 23.11 x 3.56cm
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 544gr
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0-06-155182-1
ISBN-13: 9780061551826
Publisher: HarperOne
Country:
Year: February 1, 2008
Size: 16.00 x 23.11 x 3.56cm
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 544gr
Binding: Hardcover
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Product Description
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.
Award-winning author N. T. Wright outlines the present confusion about a Christian's future hope and shows how it is deeply intertwined with how we live today. Wright, who is one of today's premier Bible scholars, asserts that Christianity's most distinctive idea is bodily resurrection. He provides a magisterial defense for a literal resurrection of Jesus and shows how this became the cornerstone for the Christian community's hope in the bodily resurrection of all people at the end of the age. 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, all this will come as a great surprise.
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.
Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life, not only after death but before it.
reviews
A Little Slow but Generally Quite Good 
In »Surprised by Hope«, Anglican bishop and noted New Testament scholar N.T. Wright examines the issue of resurrection and offers his opinions on how many Christians may be missing the real point. The author feels many fundamentalists and evangelicals subscribe too much with a sort of Platonic spiritual dualism and also the author feels the pre-tribulation rapture believers may be hampered by a sort of defeatism in regards to the global spiritual situation. On the opposite side, Wright feels many subscribers of liberal theology don't put enough emphasis on the resurrection and ironically help rob the term of real significance. Ultimately, Wright's view is that Christians should focus the power of true resurrection both on a spiritual level and in serving God's kingdom in the world. The text is followed by a partly satirical section on two very different sermons illustrating positions Wright disagrees with. Overall, the book is generally good. I don't necessarily agree with Wright on all points or I leave my mind open on certain topics. That said, I do share many points of agreement with the author. Wright is a fine author but for some reason I felt this book a little slow. This in fact made me consider giving it 4 stars instead of five (I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt). Overall, not my personal favorite of the author's works but still a good read that I recommend.
In »Surprised by Hope«, Anglican bishop and noted New Testament scholar N.T. Wright examines the issue of resurrection and offers his opinions on how many Christians may be missing the real point. The author feels many fundamentalists and evangelicals subscribe too much with a sort of Platonic spiritual dualism and also the author feels the pre-tribulation rapture believers may be hampered by a sort of defeatism in regards to the global spiritual situation. On the opposite side, Wright feels many subscribers of liberal theology don't put enough emphasis on the resurrection and ironically help rob the term of real significance. Ultimately, Wright's view is that Christians should focus the power of true resurrection both on a spiritual level and in serving God's kingdom in the world. The text is followed by a partly satirical section on two very different sermons illustrating positions Wright disagrees with. Overall, the book is generally good. I don't necessarily agree with Wright on all points or I leave my mind open on certain topics. That said, I do share many points of agreement with the author. Wright is a fine author but for some reason I felt this book a little slow. This in fact made me consider giving it 4 stars instead of five (I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt). Overall, not my personal favorite of the author's works but still a good read that I recommend.
EVERY CHRISTIAN & NON-CHRISTIAN SHOULD READ THIS BOOK
The prospective here, offered in a pondering style by one of the world's most prominent authorities on Christianity and the New Testament, will bring many of your questions into focus and then provide the answers.
The prospective here, offered in a pondering style by one of the world's most prominent authorities on Christianity and the New Testament, will bring many of your questions into focus and then provide the answers.
Getting It Wright
Getting It Wright A Book Review of »Surprised By Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church« by N.T. Wright Reviewed by David D. Flowers N.T. Wright undoubtedly stands at the summit of New Testament scholarship. I sincerely believe he is the most important of Christian thinkers alive today. His writings are a refreshing challenge and a beacon of hope in a world where much of Christianity has lost its way. Wright's work is unsurpassed as it reminds us all that our faith is not founded on shady history and loose myths about Jesus. In his book »Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church,« Wright challenges this notion of »going to heaven when you die« and spending an eternity in some bodiless future. For if this was the case, Wright's concern is »then what's the fuss about putting things right in the present world?« Is our present language of our future existence reflective of sound New Testament orthodoxy? Do we have a consistent biblical message on »life after death?« Wright doesn't believe so … and he claims we have instead embraced a Gnostic idea of the future that fouls up our presentation of the Gospel in the present. Our future home is not »heaven« … for this is where God is presently; another dimension altogether. Our hope is in this spiritual heaven coming down to earth. The climax of all human history is the consummation of God's spiritual realm (heaven) breaking through to our earthly existence. Therefore, in Wright's view, it is »life after life after death« that ought to be on our minds. Only this sort of thinking will lead us to a proper practice of the church. If our beliefs about heaven and the resurrection are wrong, then we are not about the Lord's business in ushering in the Kingdom of God in ways keeping with the example of Christ. Wright's greatest emphasis is on »resurrection« and »new creation« that has already begun in this world. It is time to realize the great significance with that which is at the heart of our faith in Christ (1 Cor. 15:12-28). He writes, »it is (resurrection), principally, the defining event of the new creation, the world that is being born with Jesus.« It is in the resurrection of Christ that happened in this old creation that gives us hope for a new creation taking place right now in the twenty-first century. »Hope is what you get when you suddenly realize that a different worldview is possible … « (pg.75). This »new creation« should not be confused with baptizing the culture into Christianity and attempting to enact a utopian dream … as so many in evangelicalism have embraced. This misplaced trust in the myth of progress does not work because it does not account for evil, Wright says. This myth may sometimes run parallel to our Christian hope, but it »veers off toward a very different destination« that ignores the need for the cross of Christ upon the natural fallen creation. It doesn't see the need for change within, only uniform capitulation to a set order of ideas. Wright declares, »What matters is eschatological duality (the present age and the age to come), not ontological dualism (an evil «earth» and a good «heaven»)« (pg. 95). We all have seen how this belief in a Platonic escapism has pervaded our theology and demanded that we adopt a popular dispensationalist view of the future; a future where we »fly away« to »Beulah Land« and spend eternity in a glorified retirement home in the sky. It is time we abandon this empty belief for one that appreciates the hope given to us in the New Testament; a hope where God restores his good creation and finishes the work he began in the universe. Wright states, »What creation needs is neither abandonment nor evolution but rather redemption and renewal; and this is both promised and guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead« (pg. 107). Wright draws our attention to Christ's ascension as well as his resurrection. Because of the ascension of Christ, we not only have a savior who is indwelling us and present with his people, but a Lord who is at the same time »gone on ahead of us« by being the first to enter in to our promised resurrected existence. In other words, the work of Christ is finished and yet to be realized. It is reflective of the »already, but not yet« tension of the Kingdom of God. We await a savior to complete the work he began in us. This completion shall come by way of the parousia or his »coming.« Wright very simply writes, »he will in fact be «appearing» right where he presently is--not a long way away within our own space-time world but in his own world, God's world, the world we call heaven« (pg. 135). Wright challenges our traditional picture of our journey being completed upon death. He argues that there is indeed a temporary »paradise« for believers awaiting the resurrection of the dead and the completion of all things. Likewise, there would appear to be the same for those who have rejected Christ in this life. When Jesus spoke of »many dwelling places« in his Father's house … he is speaking of a temporary stop on the journey. To ignore the finished work of Christ through the final resurrection of the dead … is to miss the entire Christian hope. God's judgment is a good thing, something that believers ought to celebrate … for evil will be dealt with once and for all and heaven will make its home on earth. On the other hand, the non-believer has much to worry about. Wright calls into question our modern interpretations of hell that reflects a theology from the church of the Dark Ages. Yet, he doesn't go as far as some »emerging« leaders who, I have reason to believe, may never emerge. Wright finds it impossible not to believe in some sort of »ultimate condemnation« and loss to human beings that have rejected God's good grace. He simply says that these folks cease to bear the divine image and by their own choice become »beings that once were human but now are not.« Whatever »hell« is … none of us would ever desire such a place. The important thing Wright wants to note is that heaven and hell ought not be the focal point of the Christian message. In the last part of the book, Wright does a wonderful job with making this challenge practical for us all. The resurrection and ascension is not designed to take us away from this earth but instead to make us agents of transformation, anticipating the day when, »the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.« Wright looks at the themes of justice, beauty, and evangelism. What do these things look like in light of this radical message of hope? What does this look like in retrospect to the resurrection of Christ and the promise that we will inherit the same? Wright believes it is »to live consciously between the resurrection of Jesus in the past and the making of God's new world in the future« (pg. 213). My only point of disagreement with this book is in the last chapter. Although I do believe there are nuggets of truth founded in Wright's attempt to manifest our hope in church practices … his commitment to not only his Anglican heritage but to high church in general … is reason enough to move beyond his conclusions and on to a narrative ecclesiology that mirrors the earliest disciples. It seems to me that this is his only break from a legitimate concern for a Pauline hermeneutic. His hope in a revival within the church practices that came years after Paul, as evident in church history … is wishful thinking indeed. It is here that we begin to replace hope with doom and despair. »Surprised by Hope« is an excellent book that breathes out an overdue challenge to believers in every corner of the earth. I do hope and pray that its message will start a move of the church to return to the Gospel that looks like Jesus and offers the world more than an escape from a devil's hell. N.T. Wright is presently one voice among many that is being heard and has earned the right to be heard in a post-Christian world of conflicting voices. How will we respond? Shall we cling to those chains presently dubbed as »tradition« … or will we allow the resurrection of Christ to give us wisdom and understanding into that beautiful hope known as the age to come? I am pleasantly surprised by the hope we have in Christ … for whose sake I am able to reimagine a world without evil.
Getting It Wright A Book Review of »Surprised By Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church« by N.T. Wright Reviewed by David D. Flowers N.T. Wright undoubtedly stands at the summit of New Testament scholarship. I sincerely believe he is the most important of Christian thinkers alive today. His writings are a refreshing challenge and a beacon of hope in a world where much of Christianity has lost its way. Wright's work is unsurpassed as it reminds us all that our faith is not founded on shady history and loose myths about Jesus. In his book »Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church,« Wright challenges this notion of »going to heaven when you die« and spending an eternity in some bodiless future. For if this was the case, Wright's concern is »then what's the fuss about putting things right in the present world?« Is our present language of our future existence reflective of sound New Testament orthodoxy? Do we have a consistent biblical message on »life after death?« Wright doesn't believe so … and he claims we have instead embraced a Gnostic idea of the future that fouls up our presentation of the Gospel in the present. Our future home is not »heaven« … for this is where God is presently; another dimension altogether. Our hope is in this spiritual heaven coming down to earth. The climax of all human history is the consummation of God's spiritual realm (heaven) breaking through to our earthly existence. Therefore, in Wright's view, it is »life after life after death« that ought to be on our minds. Only this sort of thinking will lead us to a proper practice of the church. If our beliefs about heaven and the resurrection are wrong, then we are not about the Lord's business in ushering in the Kingdom of God in ways keeping with the example of Christ. Wright's greatest emphasis is on »resurrection« and »new creation« that has already begun in this world. It is time to realize the great significance with that which is at the heart of our faith in Christ (1 Cor. 15:12-28). He writes, »it is (resurrection), principally, the defining event of the new creation, the world that is being born with Jesus.« It is in the resurrection of Christ that happened in this old creation that gives us hope for a new creation taking place right now in the twenty-first century. »Hope is what you get when you suddenly realize that a different worldview is possible … « (pg.75). This »new creation« should not be confused with baptizing the culture into Christianity and attempting to enact a utopian dream … as so many in evangelicalism have embraced. This misplaced trust in the myth of progress does not work because it does not account for evil, Wright says. This myth may sometimes run parallel to our Christian hope, but it »veers off toward a very different destination« that ignores the need for the cross of Christ upon the natural fallen creation. It doesn't see the need for change within, only uniform capitulation to a set order of ideas. Wright declares, »What matters is eschatological duality (the present age and the age to come), not ontological dualism (an evil «earth» and a good «heaven»)« (pg. 95). We all have seen how this belief in a Platonic escapism has pervaded our theology and demanded that we adopt a popular dispensationalist view of the future; a future where we »fly away« to »Beulah Land« and spend eternity in a glorified retirement home in the sky. It is time we abandon this empty belief for one that appreciates the hope given to us in the New Testament; a hope where God restores his good creation and finishes the work he began in the universe. Wright states, »What creation needs is neither abandonment nor evolution but rather redemption and renewal; and this is both promised and guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead« (pg. 107). Wright draws our attention to Christ's ascension as well as his resurrection. Because of the ascension of Christ, we not only have a savior who is indwelling us and present with his people, but a Lord who is at the same time »gone on ahead of us« by being the first to enter in to our promised resurrected existence. In other words, the work of Christ is finished and yet to be realized. It is reflective of the »already, but not yet« tension of the Kingdom of God. We await a savior to complete the work he began in us. This completion shall come by way of the parousia or his »coming.« Wright very simply writes, »he will in fact be «appearing» right where he presently is--not a long way away within our own space-time world but in his own world, God's world, the world we call heaven« (pg. 135). Wright challenges our traditional picture of our journey being completed upon death. He argues that there is indeed a temporary »paradise« for believers awaiting the resurrection of the dead and the completion of all things. Likewise, there would appear to be the same for those who have rejected Christ in this life. When Jesus spoke of »many dwelling places« in his Father's house … he is speaking of a temporary stop on the journey. To ignore the finished work of Christ through the final resurrection of the dead … is to miss the entire Christian hope. God's judgment is a good thing, something that believers ought to celebrate … for evil will be dealt with once and for all and heaven will make its home on earth. On the other hand, the non-believer has much to worry about. Wright calls into question our modern interpretations of hell that reflects a theology from the church of the Dark Ages. Yet, he doesn't go as far as some »emerging« leaders who, I have reason to believe, may never emerge. Wright finds it impossible not to believe in some sort of »ultimate condemnation« and loss to human beings that have rejected God's good grace. He simply says that these folks cease to bear the divine image and by their own choice become »beings that once were human but now are not.« Whatever »hell« is … none of us would ever desire such a place. The important thing Wright wants to note is that heaven and hell ought not be the focal point of the Christian message. In the last part of the book, Wright does a wonderful job with making this challenge practical for us all. The resurrection and ascension is not designed to take us away from this earth but instead to make us agents of transformation, anticipating the day when, »the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.« Wright looks at the themes of justice, beauty, and evangelism. What do these things look like in light of this radical message of hope? What does this look like in retrospect to the resurrection of Christ and the promise that we will inherit the same? Wright believes it is »to live consciously between the resurrection of Jesus in the past and the making of God's new world in the future« (pg. 213). My only point of disagreement with this book is in the last chapter. Although I do believe there are nuggets of truth founded in Wright's attempt to manifest our hope in church practices … his commitment to not only his Anglican heritage but to high church in general … is reason enough to move beyond his conclusions and on to a narrative ecclesiology that mirrors the earliest disciples. It seems to me that this is his only break from a legitimate concern for a Pauline hermeneutic. His hope in a revival within the church practices that came years after Paul, as evident in church history … is wishful thinking indeed. It is here that we begin to replace hope with doom and despair. »Surprised by Hope« is an excellent book that breathes out an overdue challenge to believers in every corner of the earth. I do hope and pray that its message will start a move of the church to return to the Gospel that looks like Jesus and offers the world more than an escape from a devil's hell. N.T. Wright is presently one voice among many that is being heard and has earned the right to be heard in a post-Christian world of conflicting voices. How will we respond? Shall we cling to those chains presently dubbed as »tradition« … or will we allow the resurrection of Christ to give us wisdom and understanding into that beautiful hope known as the age to come? I am pleasantly surprised by the hope we have in Christ … for whose sake I am able to reimagine a world without evil.
Fresh Air
An orthodox and refreshing look at the reality of the resurrection of Jesus and its implications. I enjoyed Wright's readable, clear, intelligent writing, even inserting humor in such a serious topic.
An orthodox and refreshing look at the reality of the resurrection of Jesus and its implications. I enjoyed Wright's readable, clear, intelligent writing, even inserting humor in such a serious topic.
Essential Reading for Easter
This book is essential reading for both Christians and non-Christians who wish to better understand the meaning of the Resurrection in Christian Theology. When Bishop Wright's argument is properly read and understood, it will remake and renew how the Church celebrates Easter and lives out the Resurrection Hope. It helps gently push the Church away from muddled and dangerous afterlife thought (which has been a seriously liability to evangelism in recent years/decades) and back into the assurance and hope which drove the earliest Christians into the best devotion to God and service to humanity. Occasionally it strays into over-academic thought and writing style, and some Americans might struggle with the Brit-speak, but Surprised by Hope is mostly accessible for anyone interested in tackling the topic, which is covered thoroughly. Don't miss this book!
This book is essential reading for both Christians and non-Christians who wish to better understand the meaning of the Resurrection in Christian Theology. When Bishop Wright's argument is properly read and understood, it will remake and renew how the Church celebrates Easter and lives out the Resurrection Hope. It helps gently push the Church away from muddled and dangerous afterlife thought (which has been a seriously liability to evangelism in recent years/decades) and back into the assurance and hope which drove the earliest Christians into the best devotion to God and service to humanity. Occasionally it strays into over-academic thought and writing style, and some Americans might struggle with the Brit-speak, but Surprised by Hope is mostly accessible for anyone interested in tackling the topic, which is covered thoroughly. Don't miss this book!
keywords
- Christian Life – Death, Grief, Bereavement
- Christian Life – Spiritual Growth
- Christian spiritual & Church leaders
- Christian Theology – Eschatology
- Christianity
- Christianity – General
- Eschatology
- Future life
- Hope
- Religion
- Religion – Christian Life – Death, Grief, Bereavement
- Religion – Christian Theology – Eschatology
- Religion – Theology
- Religious aspects
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