Surprised by Hope
Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church
By N. T. Wright | Publisher: Zondervan
About the book
For years Christians have been asking, \"If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?\" It turns out that many believers have been giving the wrong answer. It is not heaven. Award-winning author N. T. Wright outlines the present confusion about a Christian's future hope and shows how it is deeply intertwined with how we live today. Wright, who is one of today's premier Bible scholars, asserts that Christianity's most distinctive idea is bodily resurrection. He provides a magisterial defense for a literal resurrection of Jesus and shows how this became the cornerstone for the Christian community's hope in the bodily resurrection of all people at the end of the age. Wright then explores our expectation of \"new heavens and a new earth,\" revealing what happens to the dead until then and what will happen with the \"second coming\" of Jesus. For many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise. Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation—and if this has already begun in Jesus's resurrection—the church cannot stop at \"saving souls\" but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life. Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life, not only after death but before it.
Editions of Surprised by Hope
- EBook
- ISBN 9780061940590
Read an Excerpt
For years Christians have been asking, \"If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?\" It turns out that many believers have been giving the wrong answer. It is not heaven. Award-winning author N. T. Wright outlines the present confusion about a Christian's future hope and shows how it is deeply intertwined with how we live today. Wright, who is one of today's premier Bible scholars, asserts that Christianity's most distinctive idea is bodily resurrection. He provides a magisterial defense for a literal resurrection of Jesus and shows how this became the cornerstone for the Christian community's hope in the bodily resurrection of all people at the end of the age. Wright then explores our expectation of \"new heavens and a new earth,\" revealing what happens to the dead until then and what will happen with the \"second coming\" of Jesus. For many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise. Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation—and if this has already begun in Jesus's resurrection—the church cannot stop at \"saving souls\" but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life. Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life, not only after death but before it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Surprised by Hope about?
For years Christians have been asking, \"If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?\" It turns out that many believers have been giving the wrong answer. It is not heaven. Award-winning author N. T. Wright outlines the present confusion about a Christian's future hope and shows how it is deeply intertwined with how we live today. Wright, who is one of today's premier Bible scholars, asserts that Christianity's most distinctive idea is bodily resurrection. He provides a magisterial defense for a literal resurrection of Jesus and shows how this became the cornerstone for the Christian community's hope in the bodily resurrection of all people at the end of the age. Wright then explores our expectation of \"new heavens and a new earth,\" revealing what happens to the dead until then and what will happen with the \"second coming\" of Jesus. For many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise. Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation—and if this has already begun in Jesus's resurrection—the church cannot stop at \"saving souls\" but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life. Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life, not only after death but before it.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Surprised by Hope?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Christianity
Where can I read a sample of Surprised by Hope?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780061940590
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Surprised by Hope?
N. T. Wright
Who is the Publisher of the book Surprised by Hope?
Zondervan
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Surprised by Hope is available as ebook(ISBN 9780061940590)
Where can I buy Surprised by Hope online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Surprised by Hope?