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.
Manufacturing the Millennium, Assurance of Salvation & Could Sin Return in the New Creation?
How can you know you're truly saved? Could God's new creation fall into sin all over again? And if Christians are called to work for God's kingdom, why doesn't the world seem to be getting any better?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird begin with the question of assurance. Drawing on Romans 10, Tom explains why justification by faith assures believers that they belong to God's family, while baptism and the Eucharist remain powerful signs of God's grace.
Next, they consider whether the cycle of creation, fall and redemption could repeat...
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 reflections on Romans 13, just war and the difficult moral decisions faced by soldiers.
Then, what is the Bible's most important image of new creation? Tom explores the...
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?
Finally, they turn to Jesus’ prayer that his followers “may be one”. Tom reflects on decades of ecumenical conversation and explains why Christian unity is not an optional extra but...
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 then unpacks the rich biblical meaning of righteousness, from Abraham and Phinehas to Romans and 2 Corinthians, and explains why no single English translation captures everything the biblical words convey.
Finally, Tom tackles the physical reality of Jesu...
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 Christ coming “to rescue, to rule, to reign”.
They also ask whether apostles and prophets still exist today, with Tom warning against spiritual authority becoming authoritarianism.
Plus, does...
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 — and perhaps even its original beginning — may have been lost.
Then, what is the book of Acts actually for? Is it simply a history of the early chur...
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 birth. Tom places Jesus’ words within the wider biblical story of creation, Exodus and the renewal of God’s people.
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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.
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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 mysteries, the identity of the "beloved disciple" in John's Gospel, and ask whether we can know who he really was. Finally, Tom tackles a common misunderstanding of the Sermon on the Mount, e...
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 thinking about prayer, Scripture and ordinary human passions — including why loving your vocation or even enjoying a crime novel need not compete with loving God.
They als...
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. Tom argues that rather than beginning with an abstract idea of God and trying to fit Jesus into it, we should look at Jesus to discover wha...
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-death experiences, before tracing the biblical meaning of “Son of God,” from Israel and the Davidic king to the New Testament’s extraordinary claim that God’s eternal Son became human in Jesus. Finally Mike and Tom c...
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 Samaritans, and why the Ascension is central to understanding Christ's reign today.
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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, and how Jesus fulfils Israel's vision of God's new creation.
Books mentioned in today's episode:
God's Homecoming https://amzn.to/4pkV2OL
For All The Saints https://amzn.to/3T1kJ...
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 Jesus' teaching often appeared mysterious, showing how his parables confronted first-century expectations about God's kingdom rather than simply hiding the truth. He then offers a thoughtful and compassionate response to one of the most...
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, explores one of the New Testament's most debated greetings, and reflects on Paul's teaching about judgment, holiness and Christian witness.
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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 realities are kept safe until the day they are revealed.
Together they address a deeply personal question from a physician about medical ethics, end-of-life care, and the value of human life. How should...
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 the story of God's covenant purposes.
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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 confidence in the core books of Scripture.
They also discuss the doctrine of justification by faith and whether disagreements between Protestants and Catholics should lead Christians to question one another's salvation.
Finally, they tackle...
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 beyond itself to God’s ultimate new creation. Mike and Tom then explore how Christians can develop a genuinely biblical lens while recognising the cultural assumptions that shape every reader. Finally, Tom shares updates on possible...
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 fall introduced distorted power dynamics into marriage. Next, the conversation turns to tithing: was the Old Testament tithe a permanent command for Christians, or part of Israel’s covenant life? Tom discusses the role of gene...
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 evangelisation a trigger for the Second Coming, or have we misunderstood Jesus’ words?
Next, they address the painful experience of not feeling spiritually transformed. Drawing on Romans, Galatians, and 2 Corinthians, To...
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, explaining why Paul is not simply describing the ordinary Christian life but telling a bigger story about Israel, Torah and the problem of sin. Finally, they tackle Calvinism, predestination, the five points of TULIP and the...
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 Christian prayer.
A thoughtful conversation about theology, language, and the presence of God.
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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 a listener wrestling with chronic illness, suffering and the search for meaning, offering compassion, prayer and a cross-shaped vision of purpose. Finally, they explore how to teach a more biblical hope in church: not escapist ideas of so...
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 should Christians read: the Hebrew Bible or the Septuagint? We hope you find today's episode a deep and clarifying episode on Scripture, history, and theology.
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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 idea that God is unchanging?
This episode is all about getting back to Scripture and avoiding the confusion that comes from some biblical terms and words.
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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 member of God’s covenant people?
Next: did Jesus make mistakes? Tom reflects on Hebrews, Gethsemane, and the Syrophoenician woman to explore what it means that Jesus “learned obedience” without implying sin or error.
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 why some Bible translations use “Judeans” instead of “Jews,” and why this matters for understanding the New Testament without importing modern assumptions.
Finally, Tom tackles a challenging question about Paul: why did he circumcise Timothy but refuse to circu...
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 then turns to the Eucharist: what really happens in Holy Communion? Is it merely symbolic, or does something deeper occur when the church shares the bread and wine?
Finally, Tom and Mike...
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 that Paul distorted Jesus’ message and shows how Paul’s mission actually grows directly out of Jesus’ kingdom movement.
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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 the early church, the biblical vision of unity in Ephesians, and why Paul’s language about the Lord’s return has often been misunderstood.
Rather than predicting the end of the wor...
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, and why philosophical systems about predestination often miss the central narrative of Scripture.
Instead of abstract speculation about who is “in” or “out,” Tom argues that the Bible consistently tells the story of God cho...
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, clarifies the biblical meaning of Christ’s return, and explores how resurrection differs from “going to heaven.” He also addresses the mystery of the Transfiguration and reflects on Michael Heiser’s work on angels and divine beings.
Tom unpacks Daniel 7, 1 Corinthians 15, Phi...
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:
Tom explores what biblical authority actually means, why “inerrancy” can sometimes miss the point, and how the New...
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 cross.
Next, they explore the rapture. Is 1 Thessalonians 4 really about believers escaping earth? Or is it about welcoming the returning King as heaven and earth come together?
Finally, what does it me...
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 matters for spiritual health, how salvation is understood across denominations, and how bad teaching can arise, even among well-educated leaders. Along the way, they emphasize accountability, discernment, and the church’s calling to be a plac...
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? How do the Old and New Covenants relate to one another, and why does Anglican liturgy continue to shape Christian faith across cultures? The conversation also addresses the challenges facing the Anglican Co...
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 building God’s kingdom, why the incarnation is essential to Christian salvation, and how patience, hope, and faithful action shape the Christian response to the long wait for Ch...
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 Christian story, and why the New Testament speaks about “rewards in heaven” without turning faith into a transactional system. The conversation also digs into the meaning of God’s wrath at th...
