Ask NT Wright Anything
The weekly podcast that connects you to NT (Tom) Wright’s thought and theology by allowing you to ask the questions. Produced by Premier Unbelievable and hosted by Mike Bird. Want more from Tom and Mike? Subscribe for bonus episodes at https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm.
Episodes
Can Christians serve in the Military? Was the Church of England Founded on a Scandal? | N.T. Wright
Can a Christian serve in the military, knowing they may one day be required to take another person's life? And how should believers reconcile the call to peacemaking with the responsibility to protect the vulnerable?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle Christian vocation and the ethics of warfare, drawing on Mike's experience in the Australian Army and Tom's
Is Christianity making a comeback? Ananias & Sapphira and church unity
Is Christianity really experiencing a “quiet revival” in Britain? Tom Wright responds to reports of increased interest in church and asks what genuine spiritual revival should look like.
Tom and Mike Bird also tackle the disturbing story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Why were they struck dead for lying, and what does the passage tell us about holiness, judgement and the presence of God?
Fin
N.T. Wright on church councils, biblical righteousness and Jesus’ Ascension
Can Christians challenge the decisions of historic church councils? What did Paul mean by the “righteousness of God”? And what actually happened when Jesus ascended into heaven?Tom Wright joins Mike Bird to explore three major questions from listeners.Tom explains why the great Christian creeds remain important while insisting that Scripture, not any theological system, has primary authority. He t
Is the Rapture really biblical? Apostles, prophets and sacraments
Is the Rapture really biblical? And if friends or family strongly believe in it, should you try to change their minds?
Tom Wright and Mike Bird revisit one of the most debated ideas in modern Christian eschatology. Tom explains why he believes 1 Thessalonians 4 has often been misunderstood, and why the New Testament points instead towards the return of Jesus, resurrection, renewed creation and Ch
Why would God tell Israel to kill its enemies? The Book of Acts and the missing end of Mark's Gospel
How can the God revealed in Jesus command acts of violence in the Old Testament? And what should Christians do with some of the Bible’s most troubling passages?Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three major biblical puzzles in today's episode. First, why does Mark’s Gospel appear to end so abruptly, with the women fleeing the empty tomb in fear? Tom explains why he believes Mark’s original ending — a
Should I feel guilty for not going into ministry? Baptism, calling and Adam & Eve
What does Jesus mean when he says we must be “born of water and Spirit”? Should Christians feel guilty if they pursue an ordinary career rather than full-time ministry? And why does Paul seem to blame Adam rather than Eve for the entrance of sin?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird begin with John 3 and the relationship between baptism, the Holy Spirit and new b
Will God Burn up the Earth? Which Anglican Church is right for me, and does Genesis 1 leave room for the "gap theory"?
Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three big questions: Which Anglican tradition is most faithful? Does Genesis 1 leave room for the “gap theory”? And does 2 Peter really teach that the earth will be destroyed by fire?They explore church tradition and biblical faithfulness, creation and Genesis, and whether the Christian hope is the destruction or renewal of the world.You may also like:
What happ
Are people basically 'good' or 'evil'? Who was the 'beloved' disciple? And is the Sermon on the Mount legalism?
Are people basically good, or fundamentally sinful? Did Jesus teach salvation by works in the Sermon on the Mount? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore what the Bible really says about human nature, arguing that our primary identity is not simply "good" or "bad" but people created for God's vocation. They also examine one of the New Testament's enduring
What if I desire other things more than God? Can I work in war and weaponry? Where did Pilate judge Jesus?
What if you genuinely want to love God, but find yourself more excited by your work, hobbies or a good novel than by reading the Bible? Does that mean something is wrong with your faith?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird respond to a listener wrestling with fear, assurance and what it really means to desire God. Tom offers a refreshingly different way of think
Jesus as the glory of God, Do we need to rethink the Trinity, being a force for theological sanity in your Church
How does Jesus reveal the glory of God? Is the Trinity really the best way to understand Father, Son and Holy Spirit? And what should you do when you think your church is getting the Bible wrong?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore how the New Testament reveals God’s glory through Jesus and whether Christians need a better way of explaining the Trinity.
What happens when you die? Near-death experiences, Jesus' sonship and Satan's temptation
Are near-death experiences genuine glimpses of heaven and hell? Has Jesus always been the Son of God? And could Satan have prevented him from completing his mission? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore three substantial questions about death, the identity of Jesus and spiritual evil.Tom explains why Christians should remain open but cautious about near-
The Bible and self-forgiveness? The Ascension and were the Samaritans really Israelites?
Can you forgive yourself? Were the Samaritans really Israelites? And what actually happened at Jesus' Ascension?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird answer three thoughtful listener questions about forgiveness, biblical history and one of the most overlooked events in the life of Jesus. Along the way they explore healing from guilt, the relationship between Jews and
Where do Christians go when they die? Jesus kept healing on the Sabbath? And is 'faith' enough?
Can someone else's faith help bring us to Jesus? What really happens after Christians die? And why did Jesus keep healing people on the Sabbath?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird answer three thoughtful listener questions about faith, death and the meaning of Jesus' Sabbath miracles. Along the way they explore corporate faith, the Christian hope of resurrection, an
Why was Jesus so cryptic? Is divorce ever OK? Does Isaiah 53 predict Jesus? And which theologian is hardest to understand?
Why did Jesus often speak in riddles instead of plain language? What should Christians make of divorce in light of Jesus' teaching? And how should we understand Old Testament prophecies about Christ?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore three challenging questions that sit at the intersection of biblical interpretation and pastoral wisdom.Tom explains why Jesu
Is the Greek Orthodox Church biblical? Are icons? Was John's Letter written to a woman? And should Christians judge?
Description: Is the Greek Orthodox Church biblical? Should Christians judge non-Christians? And who exactly was the mysterious "elect lady" in 2 John?In this episode, Tom Wright answers three thought-provoking questions about church history, biblical interpretation and how Christians should engage with the wider world.Tom explains why Protestants often misunderstand the Orthodox tradition, explore
What Did Jesus Mean By "My Father's House"? How should we think about euthanasia, and what are the rewards of Heaven?
What does the Bible really say about heaven, eternal rewards, and the future God has prepared for his people?First, they discuss the meaning of "treasures in heaven" and heavenly rewards. If the Christian hope is ultimately resurrection and new creation, why does the New Testament speak about rewards stored in heaven? Tom explains how heaven functions in Scripture as God's space, where future real
Jesus and God's wrath, was the Holy Spirit in the OT and did God really command violence?
How do we make sense of some of the Bible's most difficult passages?In this episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird discuss Jesus and divine judgment, the role of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture, and the troubling problem of violence in the Old Testament.These are not easy questions, but they are questions many Christians wrestle with. Tom explores them through the lenses of Scripture, history, and
Are Catholics saved? Is the Bible missing books? And will there be a third temple?
Did the Church leave books out of the Bible? Are Roman Catholics truly saved? And should Christians support rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem?In this episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird address three major questions about Scripture, salvation, and biblical prophecy.Tom explains how the biblical canon developed, why books like Enoch and Jubilees matter historically, and why Christians can have confi
More than marriage, how to find a true biblical lens and what's Tom's next book?
In today's podcast Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle listeners’ questions on marriage, biblical interpretation and Tom’s future writing projects. Tom explains why, in Simply Jesus, he describes the union of man and woman as a signpost to the coming together of heaven and earth, drawing on Genesis, John 2, Ephesians 5 and Revelation 21. He also reflects on how marriage points
Is Patriarchy part of the fall? Should Christians tithe? And are Oneness Pentecostals saved if they don't believe in the Trinity?
What does Genesis really mean when it says a woman’s “desire will be for your husband and he shall rule over you"? Should Christians still tithe today? And are Oneness Pentecostals outside historic Christianity?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three major theological questions shaping modern Christianity.Together they explore Genesis 3:16 and whether the f
Has the Gospel reached the 'Ends of the Earth'? Where's my transformation? Will my children be with me into eternity?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three big listener questions that sit at the crossroads of biblical interpretation and pastoral care.First, they explore what Jesus meant when he said the gospel must be preached to “the ends of the earth” in Matthew 24:14, and how that relates to Acts 1:8, Paul’s mission to Spain, and the fall of Jerusalem. Is global evang
Biblical Theology vs Systematic Theology? Romans 7 explained and whether Calvinism is Biblical?
Another three thorny questions tackled with clarity and depth by Tom Wright and Mike Bird this week. Grab a coffee and prepare for vintage NT Wright. First, they explore the difference between biblical theology and systematic theology, asking when each is most useful and why keeping close to the biblical text really matters. Next, Tom unpacks the much-debated “I” the "Wretched Man" in Romans 7, ex
Kingdom of Heaven vs. Secular Humanism; How to brush up on Greek, and should we pray to the Holy Spirit?
Is building God’s kingdom basically the same thing as secular humanism? Should Christians pray directly to the Holy Spirit? And how do you relearn biblical Greek after years away from it?In this episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore the deep difference between Christian hope and secular progress, giving practical advice for recovering New Testament Greek, and explain how the Trinity shapes Chr
MAGA, Meaning and the End Times
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three very different but deeply connected questions about faithfulness in a confused age today. First, they address the growing entanglement of MAGA politics, nationalism and parts of white evangelical culture, asking how Christians can resist ideological capture and recover the way of Jesus. They then respond pastorally to
Can you clarify substitutional atonement, Tom? Which OT should Christians use? Northern tribes question
What happened to the “lost tribes” of Israel, and do they matter today?In this episode, Tom Wright explores the mystery of Israel’s northern tribes, the meaning of exile, and how the New Testament reframes restoration.They also dive into the debate around penal substitution, asking whether it truly reflects the biblical story. Finally, Mike and Tom tackle a practical question: which Old Testament
Does God repent? What does ekklesia mean? Talking about biblical words and what they mean?
What does the Bible really mean by “soul” and “spirit”? Are they the same thing, or something very different?In this episode, Tom Wright unpacks key biblical words like psuchē, pneuma, and ekklesia, showing how modern misunderstandings can distort Christian theology.They also tackle a profound question: Does God “repent”? How do we reconcile passages where God seems to change his mind with the ide
Who are Abraham's children? Did Jesus make mistakes? Is apostolic succession essential to the Church's faithfulness?
Recorded in the Anglican calendar's Holy Week this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Michael Bird and Tom Wright begin with Easter traditions, from Bach’s St Matthew Passion to smashing chocolate Humpty Dumpty eggs. Then they tackle three rich questions. First: did Paul “convert” from Judaism to Christianity, or did his encounter with Jesus radically reframe his identity as a child of Abraham and
Can I attend Catholic church? Jews vs Judeans in translation? Why did Paul circumcise Timothy but not Titus?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright responds to listener questions about attending churches across denominational lines, the meaning of key biblical terms, and puzzling moments in the life of the Apostle Paul.Tom explores whether Protestants can attend Catholic churches, reflecting on how Christian unity should be lived out despite real theological differences. He also explains w
Miscarriage, the Eucharist & did all the biblical characters really exist?
In this deeply pastoral episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle some of the most sensitive and difficult questions Christians face.How should believers respond when heartfelt prayers seem unanswered, especially in the tragedy of miscarriage and pregnancy loss? Tom reflects on grief, prayer, and the mysterious work of the Spirit in the midst of suffering.The conversation
Why did Jesus turn water into wine? Did Paul invent Christianity? Are Christian hymns wrong? NT Wright Explains
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright answers listener questions about John’s Gospel, worship music, and the relationship between Jesus and Paul.Tom explains how the miracle at Cana reveals Jesus’ glory and points forward to the cross. He also reflects on the theology embedded in Christian hymnody and why some lyrics may need updating. Finally, he addresses the long-standing claim
Women in ministry, Church unity & Paul’s “End of the World” Ask NT Wright
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore three significant questions facing the church today:• Can Christians remain in a church that disagrees about women in leadership?• How can the global church move toward deeper unity across traditions?• Did the Apostle Paul wrongly expect Jesus to return within his lifetime?Tom reflects on the revolutionary role of women in
Can you lose your Salvation, hyper-calvanism and did Jesus actually preach Hell?
Today on Ask NT Wright Anything, N.T. Wright and Mike Bird tackle three major theological questions: Can Christians lose their salvation? What did Jesus actually mean when he spoke about hell? Is hyper-Calvinism a distortion of biblical teaching?Tom explores how the New Testament holds together both assurance and warning, why many modern ideas about hell owe more to medieval imagery than the Bible
What's the fine print on the Second Coming, the Transfiguration, and Michael Heiser's Unseen Realm
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three fascinating theological questions: What actually happens at the Second Coming? Were Moses and Elijah resurrected at the Transfiguration? How should Christians understand the “unseen realm” of angels and spiritual beings?Tom explains why many popular readings of “rapture” passages misunderstand Jesus’ teaching, clarifi
The death of Judas, Biblical Inerrancy and how to avoid being too "heavenly minded"?
How did Judas really die, by hanging or by falling and bursting open? Does the Bible contain contradictions? And what does it really mean to “set your mind on things above”?In this episode of Ask N.T. Wright Anything, Tom Wright, and Mike Bird tackle three challenging questions:
Reconciling Matthew and Acts on the death of Judas
Whether “biblical inerrancy” is the best way to speak about Sc
Puzzled by Dispensationalism: is our suffering redemptive? The rapture, new creation & becoming “Divine”
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three profound theological questions that sit right at the heart of Christian hope.Is our suffering somehow “redemptive”? What does Paul mean when he says he is “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions”? Tom explains how our suffering participates in Christ’s mission — without adding to the finished work of the c
What do you get from Church that you cant get from another community?
What do you get from Church that you cant get from another community? Does the church actually offer a unique spiritual protection? And how should Christians navigate salvation, infant baptism, and bad teaching across different denominations?
Today on Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle some of the tricky questions facing the church today. They look at why Christian community
Can Christians serve unjust governments?
Can Christians work within unjust governments? What actually changes with the New Covenant? And what does the future hold for Anglicanism amid global shifts and internal tensions?
Today on the podcast, Tom Wright and Mike Bird are answering your questions on faith, politics, and church life.
How should Christians think about power and conscience? How did Jesus approach to political authority? Ho
Still waiting... for Jesus' return?
Does your everyday work really matter to God? Why did Jesus have to be fully human and fully divine? And how should Christians live faithfully while waiting for Jesus’ return?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore how ordinary life fits into God’s extraordinary purposes.They discuss how all kinds of work, from manual labor to data analysis, can participate in
Is Salvation fair?
Who can be saved? What about those who have never heard the gospel? Do Christians earn rewards in heaven and what does God’s wrath really mean at the cross? Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle some of the most challenging and emotionally charged questions in Christian theology. They explore whether Salvation is limited by geography or history, how God’s justice and mercy relate to those outside the Ch
Is Christian History objectively bad?
Was Christianity bad for the world? How should we talk honestly about the Crusades, colonialism, slavery, sectarian wars — and the church’s failures — without pretending the record is clean? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird respond to three big questions: Is Christianity bad? Tom argues we must acknowledge the church’s worst moments without defensiveness, while a
Why doesn’t the Bible punish men for adultery?
Why does the Old Testament sometimes appear to treat women unfairly in cases of adultery? What was the purpose of the Nazirite vow, and why would anyone choose it? And what does it really mean to say that Christ is “present” in the Eucharist?Today, N.T. Wright and Mike Bird dive in on Ask NT Wright Anything to answer your three challenging and deeply human questions about law, holiness, and sacram
What was John the Baptist doing when he baptised Jews before Jesus’ ministry began?
Do ordained ministers have “more” of the Holy Spirit than lay people? What exactly was John the Baptist doing when he baptised Jews before Jesus’ ministry began? And are the Thirty-Nine Articles still fit for purpose today?Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three questions that sit at the heart of church life, theology, and Christian identity in today's episode of Ask NT Wright Anything.Tom explains
Where is the Garden of Eden? NT Wright on Genesis, editing & authority
Where is the Garden of Eden? What did Paul mean by our “earthly tent”? And does Genesis contain later edits, and if so, does that undermine Scripture?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three of the most frequently misunderstood biblical questions.Tom explains why Paul’s language in 2 Corinthians 5 isn’t Platonic escapism but robust resurrection hope; why the
Tom Holland vs the Nativity: NT Wright answers
Was Jesus really born in Bethlehem, or did the gospel writers “invent” the story to fit prophecy? Did a Roman census ever force people to travel back to their ancestral towns? And what about Herod’s massacre of the innocents – pure theology, or plausible history?In this special Advent episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird respond to challenges raised by historian Tom Holland
Is Christianity bad?! Has religion done more harm than good?
N.T. Wright and Mike Bird and reunited together in person in Premier’s new London studios for a big Ask NT Wright Anything episode. Tom tackles a huge listener question: has Christianity actually done more harm than good? From crusades, slavery and abuse scandals to hospitals, human rights and the end of infanticide, he explains how to face church failures honestly without ditching Jesus. They the
Why does the New Testament show so much demonic activity? and why are so many young Christians turning to high church traditions?
Demonic activity in the New Testament, the surprising rise of “high church” worship, and whether Christians should be keeping Saturday as the Sabbath…This week on Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom and Mike tackle three big and very different questions. First: Did Jesus’ arrival trigger a surge in demonic activity, and should Christians today expect to encounter the demonic? Tom draws on decades of pasto
Is Online Church REAL Church?
Title: Real Church, the Lord’s Prayer & New Age? — N.T. Wright's wisdom for todayThis week Tom and Mike tackle three listener questions: • What is real church community—can online church count? • Why do we add “For thine is the kingdom…” to the Lord’s Prayer? • Have New Age practices slipped into Christianity today?A brisk, insightful conversation on worship, scripture and spiritual discernment.Su
Was Peter Really the Rock? Did Mary Stay a Virgin?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright take on three big questions:First, a listener from Ohio asks how precise our beliefs must be to be “saved”. Tom reframes salvation away from “going to heaven when you die” towards God’s new creation and the defeat of death. They unpack Romans 10, baptism, assurance, and why faith is fundamentally entrusting yourself to Jesus rathe
Where Do We Go When We Die?
In this episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird field three big listener questions that touch the heart of Christian hope and daily discipleship.First, they explore what happens when we die — where do our loved ones go before the final resurrection? Tom explains what Scripture actually says (and doesn’t say) about “souls,” “heaven,” and “waiting rooms for the dead,” and why our hope is not escape from e
Who wrote Hebrews? and who goes to Hell?
Mike Bird and Tom Wright take on three weighty listener questions that dive deep into the Bible’s mystery, mercy, and meaning in this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, They begin by exploring the mystery of who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews, unpacking why the early church left the author anonymous and how that shapes our reading today. Next, they move to a deeply sensitive and much-debated topi
Help N.T. Wright! Please clarify salvation
Today on the Ask NT Wright Anything Podcast, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three challenging listener questions that get to the heart of Christian theology and biblical imagination.Should we pray for Satan? Tom unpacks how centuries of Christian mythology have distorted biblical ideas of “the Satan” (the accuser), explaining why evil has no rightful place in God’s good creation,and what it reall
Should we abandon our parents?
What did Jesus mean when he said his followers would do “greater works” than him? Does the ancient Filioque Clause (“and the Son”) still divide the church today? And what does it really mean to love God more than your family?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three deep and very human questions - about miracles, the Trinity, and discipleship. Tom reminds
Gender Hierarchy, Habakuk 2:4, What bits of the Bible did Paul write? Did Paul write the Pastoral Epistles?
Does the Bible teach gender hierarchy? What did Paul mean by quoting Habakkuk — “the righteous shall live by faith”? And did Paul actually write all the pastoral epistles?Today on Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom and Mike answer your questions about gender, faith, and authorship in the New Testament. They unpack the Greek word for “submit” in Ephesians, showing how Paul emphasizes mutual submission in
Bishops, Priests, finding a Church, and the Universalism Question
What do bishops really do, and where does church authority come from? How do you find a faithful church community in a polarised world? And does universalism change how we think about salvation and damnation?Tom Wright and Mike Bird are looking at questions of leadership, community, and theology in today's episode of Ask NT Wright Anything. They trace the history of bishops and overseers, showing
The Vision of Ephesians: What is “Sola Scriptura”?
What does Ephesians teach us about God’s purpose for the church? Can we truly trust Scripture if it was passed down through oral tradition? And what role do public confessions of faith play in salvation?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird dig into Tom’s new Book, The Vision of Ephesians, to explore Paul’s vision behind the text, the meaning of Sola Scriptura, and th
What happens at the End of the Age?
What did Jesus mean by “the end of the age”? Does the New Testament teach salvation by faith alone, or do works matter too? And what will happen to the earth in God’s new creation?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle big questions on eschatology, faith, and new creation. They unpack Jesus’ teachings about the temple and the “end of the age,” explain why faith
Tom, Should We Work Out? Why Is The Bible Authoritative?
Mike Bird and Tom Wright take on three wide-ranging listener questions. First: should Christians work out? Tom reflects on how physical health connects with the life of the soul, and whether Scripture points toward a holistic vision of body and spirit. Next: why is the Bible authoritative? Is it the church’s decision, the content of its teaching, or the work of the Spirit? Tom unpacks how authorit
Did God create 100 billion people just to send them to hell?
Mike Bird and Tom Wright dive into another round of thoughtful listener questions. First: how do you go about choosing a church? Tom lays out wise principles for discerning a community rooted in the gospel, shaped by worship, and committed to mission. Next: catechisms. From centuries-old confessions to modern teaching tools, Tom shares which one has shaped him most and why. Finally: a weighty ques
Should Church Leaders Be Ordained? Are We Needed To Usher In The New Creation?
Mike Bird and Tom Wright take on three big listener questions. First: how do we actually cooperate with the Spirit in God’s plan for new creation? Tom reflects on what it means to anticipate heaven and earth being joined, and how our present faithfulness participates in that future hope. Next: ordination and church leadership. Are we in danger of over-structuring the body of Christ? Drawing from t
Did Jesus Know He Was Divine?
Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three big listener questions. First: did Jesus know he was God—and if so, in what sense? Tom explores how Jesus reframes what we mean by “God,” drawing on the Gospels and Philippians 2. Next: contemplative practices. From the Jesus Prayer to the Daily Office, Tom offers gracious guidance on praying in ways that keep Jesus at the centre while avoiding rigid one-size-
Can you lose Salvation? Why do churches keep splitting? What is covenant theology?
Why do churches split over theology? What does the Bible really say about covenants and dispensations? Why do some Christians skip sacraments altogether? And can you lose your salvation?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle church divisions, explain the differences between covenant theology and dispensationalism, and explore the Salvation Army’s unusual stance
The Big Bible episode: Canon, Contradictions & Tradition
What is the Bible really — and who decided which books belong in it? Can we trust the Gospels if they don’t always agree? And when should tradition shape how we read scripture, and when should we challenge it?In this Big Bible Episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird dig into big, timeless questions about the canon of scripture, how inspiration works, and why apparent contradict
Jesus and the powers, Why does it take the Anglicans so long to choose an Archbishop? What are healthy spiritual practices?
What qualities should the Archbishop of Canterbury really have? How can spiritual practices help us deal with anxiety? And what does the Bible say about corrupted powers in our world?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird unpack what it means to lead the Anglican Church, the role of the Archbishop as a unifier, and why true leadership needs spiritual depth, not just ma
Faith, belief, and the fall of Jerusalem: what are we missing?
Is biblical faith just “belief”? What does salvation really mean in the Old and New Testaments? And was Jesus talking about the end of the world or Jerusalem’s fall in the Olivet Discourse?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird unpack the difference between faith and mere belief, showing how true biblical faith means trust, faithfulness, and allegiance to Jesus as King
Will I Still Be Married in Heaven? NT Wright responds
Will we ever see an OT Wright translation to match NT Wright's New Testament for Everyone? Tom explains why an Old Testament version isn’t on the cards—but offers a witty alternative involving his son! The conversation moves on to remarriage, exploring whether we’ll still relate to our spouses in the same way in the new creation, and how Jesus’ words in the Gospels shape our understanding of life
God’s Word, Human Words, and Political Idols
Is Christian nationalism compatible with the teachings of Jesus? Is the Bible purely divine, or also human? And how should Christians understand atonement and explain it to children?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle the controversial topic of Christian nationalism, reflect on the complex relationship between Jesus and the Bible, and unpack what penal substi
Who were "the sons of God" in Genesis 6?
Does God still love Israel today? Should Christians work in the defense industry? Who were the “sons of God” in Genesis 6? And should modern Christians practice Passover or foot washing?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird unpack deep questions about God’s enduring love for Israel, the ethical challenges of working in defense and military industries, the mysterious “
What does the Bible mean by a hardened heart, 'filled' by the Spirit and to be 'holy'?
What is biblical holiness? Can a heart be so hardened that it’s beyond saving? Does the Holy Spirit still give personal promises today? And what does it mean to be truly 'filled' with the Spirit?
Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle four deep listener questions about the nature of holiness, the mystery of a hardened heart, how the Holy Spirit speaks today, and the meaning of being filled with the Spir
Can we read Jesus into every Old Testament story?
What did Jesus really mean in the Olivet Discourse? How should we read the Old Testament in light of the New? And what can Herod’s strange reaction to Jesus teach us about resurrection and eschatology?Today on Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Michael Bird unpack the theological depth of Jesus’ teachings on the end times, the ongoing tension between inaugurated and future eschatology, and the
Is God male? NT Wright on gender and divinity
What does the bodily resurrection really mean for Christian faith? How do we live out true discipleship? And how should we talk about God in relation to gender?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore the resurrection of Jesus as the cornerstone of Christian belief, pointing to new creation and God's justice. They discuss the daily realities of discipleship, em
When is Jesus going to return?
What does it mean to live faithfully in a politically divided world? How should Christians respond to immigration and power? And what do Paul’s views on time tell us about the return of Christ?Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore the tensions between faith and politics, the timing of God’s promises in Paul’s theology, and the challenges of religious clarity in a pluralistic world. They reflect on Jesu
Will the resurrection be for all, or just for believers? NT Wright Answers
What is the 'divine council' in the Bible? Who receives a 'resurrection body'? And how can Christians be sure of their salvation?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle some of the most fascinating and personal questions in Christian theology. They discuss the mysterious concept of a divine council, what is it and how it fits within biblical monotheism, and what
Is abortion ever justified? Can Lucifer be forgiven? NT Wright answers your questions
Is abortion ever ethically justifiable? Could Lucifer ever be forgiven? And how do Romans 8 and Galatians 4 shape our understanding of grace, law, and inclusion? What an episode! This week on the Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird address challenging theological and ethical questions. They discuss the Christian approach to abortion, emphasizing compassion, nuance, and the sanctity of
Suicide and Salvation: What does NT Wright say?
How should Christians think about suicide and heaven, baptism and christenings, and the biblical teaching of the Trinity?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright unpacks your questions on some of the most sensitive and foundational questions of the Christian faith. Together, Tom and Mike reflect on the pain and complexity of suicide, affirming the reach of God’s grace even in our da
"I am a transgender man, can I get married to a woman?"
How should Christians think about transgender identity and faith? What does it mean to deconstruct and reconstruct belief in today’s world? And how do we understand Jesus’ prophecy about the end times?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird engage with deeply personal and theologically rich questions. They explore how the grace of God meets us amid identity struggles, w
Will God resurrect my cremated body?
Cremation, grace & Resurrection:. This week Tom tackles what does grace really mean in the Bible? Does cremation affect the Christian hope of resurrection? And how should we understand Jesus’ relationship to the Old Testament law?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore the deep connections between 'hesed' in the Old Testament and 'charis' in the New, offering
Jesus' Jewish identity, Paul's commands to women and Bonhoeffer's dilemma: Tom Wright answers
Tom Wright and Mike Bird delve into the Jewish identity of Jesus in this week's episode of the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast. They respond to a listener's question about Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 11 and reflect on the moral dilemmas faced by Dietrich Bonhoeffer during the Nazi regime.
With depth and clarity, they explore how seeing Jesus within his Jewish context enriches our underst
Does Tom Wright consider belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus essential to Christian faith?
What is church membership really for? Why does the bodily resurrection matter so much to Christian faith? And how should Christians respond to the suffering in Gaza?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore the theological roots of church membership, unpack the meaning of worship as a response to grace, and reflect on the hope of resurrection. They also discuss
BONUS Subscriber only Easter Show: What does Easter mean for the mission of the Church today? Tom Wright and Mike Bird
You’re here because you love hearing Tom Wright’s insights on Ask NT Wright Anything. In this special Easter Monday episode—available free on our new subscriber-only feed—Mike Bird and Tom Wright go beyond the empty tomb to explore the bold, world-shaping implications of the resurrection. What does Easter really mean for the mission of the Church today? Is resurrection just about life after death—
NT Wright on the Resurrection: History, Theology & Why It Still Matters with Tom Wright and Mike Bird
Welcome to a special Easter edition of Ask NT Wright Anything, where we dig into the historical and theological foundations of the resurrection of Jesus. New Testament scholar Mike Bird joins Tom Wright to raise some tough questions - like why, historically speaking, resurrection is such a radical claim, and whether it can be anything more than a statement of faith.
Tom responds by exploring ho
