Scot,
I have been waiting for your posts on this book since i read that you would do a series of posts on the book. The question about what biblical hope really meant has constantly been on my mind sice last year.
I would have to say that what N T Wright writes about concerning the ressurection has indeed charted my course away from just understanding Christian hope with “going to heaven when i die”. Not that i deny that but i would not say that it is the ultimate hope that christians have.
The view that Wright actually gives makes more sense, on ressurection and ‘new heaven and new earth’. For most of my christian understanding before, i must admit the version of christian hope was after life, that when we die we leave this life and go to heaven. But after reading Wright i saw that this thinking has more ties with gnosticism and hope of other religions (not exactly biblical or christian). If resurrection is to be resurrection it has to be bodily and it has to do with new creation.
But i have yet to find people with an openness to seeing it this way at the moment. Someone even said that i was thinking like those people in Jehova’s witness.
But anyway i’m looking forward on your proceeding posts on the book. I’m currently reading your book “Embracing Grace” after finishing “Jesus Creed”. I have to say that I’m relearning new things and restructuring my beliefs. God bless.

Pseudo-Polymath » Blog Archive » Monday Highlights

[...] Hope and eschaton, a book reading begun by Scot McNight. [...]

I am really looking forward to this series!

Looking forward to hearing more about this!

I notice the similarity between Wright’s title, Surprised By Hope and C. S. Lewis’s title, Surprised By Joy. Is one a prerequisite for the other? Which comes first? Does hope lead to joy, or does joy lead to hope> Or do both occur together? Now, or at some future time?
The whole of Romans chapter 8 is instructive here, especially verse 24: “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” and also verse 5: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
I look forward to studying this book with you.

Bishop N.T. Wright is someone who takes a lot of heat from Reformed circles. Oddly enough though, it seems that they are the ones who end up yelling “tradition!” while he quietly entreats, “Ad fontes.”
He’s the most articulate and scholarly Christian of which I’m currently aware. Even when you end up disagreeing with him, you benefit from the conversation.
Looking forward to the posts; God bless!

I am eagerly waiting for the rest. I think it would be right even if I say that I left the gnostic camp and joined the Christian camp after I listened to N T Wright.

Does anyone besides Scot have a copy? I saw on Amazon that it was coming out in two weeks or so.

Mooker, I should have said that: I’m using an Advance Copy sent to me.

Ah – a hook to get us to purchase.

Ha ha. I agree RSJ. I just pre-orderd mine awhile ago!

Another gem from our favorite Bishop, looking forward to it. Tom Wright has often articulated what I believe it’s the best hope there is for pursuing the christian life and following Jesus.
On the controversies related to Reformed Theology, Travis Tamarius’ 2002 article remains an excellent source for understanding the supposed controveries, a copy of it is here:
http://web.mac.com/cheriegate/william/Wright/Entries/2008/12/25_Who?s_Tom_Wright.html

Travis’ article is here:
http://doctrine.net/tomwright.htm

Those advance copies must be nice!

William, that is an excellent article. Thanks.
Dana

A lot of us have ideas and powerful images about heaven that we’ve learned through Christian-subculture osmosis, not from the Bible. (Where is this subculture getting its ideas from, if not from the Bible?)
I’m looking forward to checking out this book, too.

Look forward to seeing where this goes. I remain frustrated by the mire of the 20th century dualism – either Christian hope meaning escape from the world to Heaven, or meaning dismissing talk of resurrection/heaven as opiate for the masses and work to transform the world today. I keep looking for people who are pre or post Liberal/Conservative that can help me sort through the Christian sub-culture osmosis/brainwashing that Michelle mentions. Thanks.

Scot,
This sounds like a fascinating book. I look forward to your review and to the discussion. Thanks.

Hi Scot,
I’ll be interested to hear if the book has any significant new material that hasn’t already been covered by his recent speaking engagements – like the one in Roanoke.

I have not yet read this book by Bishop Wright. However, I have read his book “Resurrection and the Son of God” and a half dozen or so other books by Wright.
Personally, I think that Wright’s vision for the Christian’s hope is very refreshing and tangible. It enables me to see the kingdom, think of Jesus as a real, historical figure, and feel like I can really join into a revolution that was started 2000 years ago.
Looking forward to getting my copy of “Surprised by Hope” and gobbling it up …