Ask NT Wright Anything

Premier Unbelievable

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.

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320 episodes
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Episodes320

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March 16 · 45 min
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 choosing people in order to bless the world through them. Support & Subscribe 👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡 ❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking here Follow us Instagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable X: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 9 · 41 min
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, Philippians 3, Revelation 21, and more — explaining how heaven and earth ultimately come together in God’s renewed creation.This episode dives deep into eschatology, resurrection, biblical cosmology, and the nature of heaven and earth. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 2 · 39 min
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 Scripture’s authority How to read Colossians 3 without falling into a heaven-good, earth-bad mindset Tom explores what biblical authority actually means, why “inerrancy” can sometimes miss the point, and how the New Testament vision is not escape from earth — but heaven and earth coming together in new creation. Support & Subscribe 👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡 ❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking here Follow us Instagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable X: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 23 · 41 min
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 mean to become “partakers of the divine nature”? Do Christians somehow become divine? Tom unpacks the ancient idea of theosis and shows how the New Testament speaks of transformation without collapsing the distinction between Creator and creature. Suffering. Resurrection. New creation. SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 15 · 31 min
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 place of love, protection, and truth. 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 place of love, protection, and truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 8 · 39 min
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 Communion today including, authority, unity, leadership, and global growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 1 · 28 min
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 Christ’s return. Today's episode challenges the idea that only “spiritual” activities matter and offers a vision of faith rooted in creation, resurrection, and daily obedience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 25 · 33 min
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 the cross, showing why the cross must be understood as both victory over evil and substitution for humanity. This episode invites listeners to hold together faith, humility, mission, and mystery... without easy answers or simplistic formulas. Questions: 01:36 Who Can Be Saved? 11:30 Are There Rewards in Heaven? 19:55 God’s Wrath and the Cross Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 19 · 34 min
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 also recognizing how Christian moral vision reshaped the conscience of the wider world. Also on today's episode listener's ask whether the “coming of the Son of Man” in Matthew 24 is about Jesus returning, or Jesus being enthroned? Tom points us to Daniel 7, showing why many “coming” passages are actually about vindication, authority, and enthronement rather than a literal end-of-the-world timetable. Finally Mike and Tom look at why isn’t Israel saved? Tom works through Romans 9–11, rejecting replacement theology and explaining Paul’s grief, the “remnant,” the grafting-in image, and the difficult phrase “all Israel will be saved.” Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 11 · 24 min
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 sacrament. Tom explores how Israel’s legal codes functioned within their ancient social world, how Jesus radically reframes judgment and mercy, and why Christians no longer apply Old Testament penalties in the same way. He then reflects on the Nazirite vow as an ancient form of radical consecration, an Israelite counterpart to later monastic devotion. Throughout, Tom insists that Scripture must be read as a coherent story rather than isolated proof texts, and that Christian faith is shaped not by abstract theories but by lived practices: meals, vows, forgiveness, and embodied worship. SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 4 · 35 min
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 why ordination is not about spiritual hierarchy but authorised service, why the Holy Spirit belongs fully to the whole people of God, and how clergy exist to equip, not outrank, the church. He then situates John the Baptist firmly within Israel’s story of exile and hope, showing how baptism functioned as a powerful symbol of repentance and new Exodus rather than an early version of Christian conversion. Finally, Tom reflects candidly on the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England: why they were written, what they were trying to hold together, and why many of their answers belong to 16th-century debates rather than today’s questions. Throughout the conversation, Tom calls the church back to Scripture as the supreme authority, urges humility toward our theological inheritance, and reminds us that reform is not rejection—but faithful listening across time. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 28, 2025 · 26 min
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 “tent” points both to the tabernacle and to our mortal bodies; and how the early Christians understood “what is kept in heaven” as something destined ultimately for earth. Next, they turn to the location of Eden, and Tom challenges the assumption that Genesis 2 must read like Google Maps. They explore how ancient narrative works, what editing does (and does not) mean for inspiration, and why Genesis 1–2 gives us two complementary windows into creation, not a modern-style chronology. If you’ve ever wondered whether Genesis has contradictions, whether Paul believed in an intermediate state, or whether Scripture’s “oddities” weaken its authority, this episode will steady the ground beneath your feet, and deepen your appreciation for the beauty, richness, and layered texture of the biblical story. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 21, 2025 · 26 min
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 (of The Rest Is History podcast) about the birth narratives of Jesus. Tom explains why ancient history is full of gaps, how new evidence has repeatedly vindicated biblical details once dismissed as “unhistorical,” and why we should be cautious about confidently declaring, “That could never have happened.” 🎧 If you’ve ever wondered, “Did Luke get Christmas wrong?” or felt unsettled by historical objections to the nativity, this episode will help you think more clearly – without losing the wonder. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 14, 2025 · 34 min
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 then dive into the “coming of the Son of Man” – is Jesus coming or going in Matthew, Daniel 7 and the Olivet Discourse? And finally, Tom unpacks Romans 9-11: who is the “Israel of God”, why isn’t all Israel saved yet, and how do we avoid antisemitism and replacement theology? Plus a sneak peek at an upcoming bonus episode on the church and the Jews. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 7, 2025 · 43 min
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 pastoral experience (including licensed diocesan exorcists!) to explain how the New Testament frames dark spiritual powers and why neither fear nor fascination is the right Christian response. Next, they explore why so many young Christians are moving toward “high church” traditions—liturgy, sacrament, structure, and beauty, and how to discern wisely between Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, and low-church evangelical expressions. Finally, Tom unpacks the Sabbath controversy: If the Bible commands Sabbath on the seventh day, why do Christians worship on Sunday? What changed between the Old and New Testaments? And should we still keep a weekly day of rest in a Sabbatarian sense? Another rich episode (we hope!) full of biblical grounding, pastoral wisdom, and Tom’s signature clarity. 02:24 Why does the New Testament show so much demonic activity? 18:34 Why are so many young Christians turning to high church traditions? 30:41 Should Christians keep Saturday as the Sabbath? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 30, 2025 · 35 min
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.Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donateGot a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: ⁠⁠https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10⁠⁠) SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefeFacebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 23, 2025 · 39 min
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 rather than having a perfect theology. Next, they explore whether in Matthew 16 Peter himself is “the rock” or whether it’s his confession that Jesus is the Christ. Finally, they tackle why the virgin birth matters: Jewish expectations, Isaiah 7:14, pagan “divine birth” stories, and why the virgin birth points to God’s sheer grace, the initiative of the Trinity and Jesus’ true humanity shared with Mary. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 16, 2025 · 37 min
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 earth but the renewal of creation itself. Next, they reflect on whether we will know everything in the new creation, and how knowledge, love, and transformation intertwine in God’s future. Finally, they turn to biblical budgeting, asking how Christians in affluent societies can honour God with their money without being ruled by it. It’s an episode that spans heaven and earth; we hope you'll find this a dive into theology, that's thoughtful, practical, and full of hope. Chapters: 00:00 – Where Do Dead Souls Go? 11:24 – Will We Be Perfect in the New Creation? 22:57 – How Should Christians Budget Biblically? Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 9, 2025 · 35 min
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 topic — who goes to hell — where Tom challenges popular misconceptions about eternal punishment and invites listeners to rediscover the biblical vision of judgment, mercy, and renewal. Finally, they take on the question of the canon, asking whether Christians should read only the 66 books of the Protestant Bible or include the wider writings Tom often references in his work. From authorship debates to eschatology and biblical interpretation, this episode blends deep theology with pastoral wisdom, offering clarity and compassion in equal measure. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10) SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 2, 2025 · 34 min
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 really means when Scripture says Jesus “disarmed the powers.” Next, the pair discuss Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross — “Today you will be with me in paradise.” What does “paradise” actually mean in the Bible? Tom draws on ancient language and early church thought to clarify the difference between “life after death” and “life after life after death”, showing how the Spirit sustains believers in Christ’s presence until the resurrection. And our last question today is on the life of purification: what it means for God to prune and refine us, not as punishment but as preparation for holiness and fruitfulness. Tom uses the image of pruning from John 15 to remind us that when God cuts things away, He is often closest to us. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠ Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here. SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefe Facebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices