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 darkest moments. One listener asks, is believers baptism appropriate when you have been baptised as a b...
May 25, 2025•40 min
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, why pastoral care matters so much in conversations about gender and faith, and how deconstruction can...
May 19, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 19
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 a rich picture of God’s love and faithfulness. They tackle the sensitive topic of cremation and Chris...
May 11, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 18
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 understanding of the gospel, why Paul's words on worship remain controversial, and how Bonhoeffer's bold choi...
May 04, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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 how lament is not just permitted but essential in a world full of pain, and why the church cannot rem...
Apr 27, 2025•45 min
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—or something far bigger? Mike asks how Easter reshapes the Church’s mission today. Tom reflects on a...
Apr 21, 2025•29 min
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 how early Christians understood the resurrection not as a metaphor, but as the bodily vindication of Jesu...
Apr 20, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Is contraception a theological issue? Can we trust the Gospels as historical documents? How should the church respond to political idolatry? And what really happened on the cross? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle pressing questions about modern faith and ancient texts. They explore the evolving Christian views on contraception, the historical reliability of the Gospels, and the dangers of confusing politics with discipleship. Got a question for Tom? Ask ...
Apr 13, 2025•50 min
Does God love us personally or just humanity as a whole? How do we experience His love in a broken church? How do marriage and parental blessings fit into faith? Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore God’s love, the challenges of church community, and how we grow closer to Him. They also discuss the role of parental guidance in marriage and the balance between cultural expectations and personal choices. Got a question for Tom? Ask here: askntwright.com Ask NT Wright Anything is sponsored by Logos – s...
Apr 06, 2025•41 min
Did Adam and Eve doom humanity? NT Wright and Mike Bird on questions of sin and human nature In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle the complexities of salvation, the meaning behind Revelation’s vivid imagery, the consequences of sin, and the struggles of transitioning to mainstream Christianity. They explore God’s mercy, human responsibility, and the importance of biblical interpretation in shaping our faith. Ask NT Wright Anything is sponsored by Logos – sta...
Mar 30, 2025•39 min
Did Jesus really descend into hell? What does ecumenism mean for Christian unity? Can non-Messianic Jews be saved? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle these complex theological questions, exploring the early church’s interpretation of Jesus’ descent, the importance of Christian unity, and the role of Jewish identity in salvation history. They also discuss the chronology of Jesus’ baptism and how historical context shapes biblical interpretation. If you’ve e...
Mar 28, 2025•35 min
Are near-death experiences real? Do they give us a glimpse of the afterlife, or should we approach them with caution? What does it mean to live faithfully as a Christian? And who really has the authority to forgive sin— the individual believer, the priest or the church? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, NT Wright and Mike Bird explore these listener questions, tackling the theology of near-death experiences and whether these experiences point to an afterlife, discussing the calling of a...
Mar 23, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Tom and Mike tackle deep theological questions about resurrection, faith, works, and biblical interpretation, in today's episode of Ask NT Wright Anything. Does Psalm 16 really point to resurrection? Tom unpacks its complex layers of meaning and how first-century Jews understood scripture. We also tackle the thorny question of faith vs. works—what does the New Testament actually teach? Are faith and works interconnected? These questions and more in today's episode! Got Questions for Tom? Go to: ...
Mar 08, 2025•38 min•Season 7Ep. 9
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom and Mike dive into two foundational topics: the resurrection and the role of apostles in the early church. What did first-century Jews believe about resurrection? Tom responds to William Lane Craig’s argument that individual resurrections weren’t expected before the End Times. He unpacks how Jesus’ resurrection differs from all others, marking the beginning of God’s new creation. What makes someone an 'Apostle'? The discussion explores Paul’s apostl...
Mar 01, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore the biblical concept of the soul, challenging Greek-influenced ideas of dualism and emphasising the New Testament’s focus on bodily resurrection. Does the Bible really teach that we have an immortal soul, or is that a later philosophical addition? They also dive into the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, unpacking their differences, theological significance, and historical context. Why do these accounts diverge? What do they reveal about Jesus’ true ident...
Feb 23, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle the controversial question: Was Paul a false apostle? Some argue his message contradicts Jesus, but what does Scripture say? 💡 Key topics this week: Answering historical skepticism toward Paul Paul's apostolic authority, and how his gospel aligns with Jesus’ teachings Plus, Tom discusses Sola Scriptura’s evolution and the Church Fathers' engagement with Scripture and C.S. Lewis’ insights on reading old texts 📖 If you've...
Feb 16, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Was Jesus really the Son of God? Bart Ehrman says no—Tom Wright responds. In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom and Mike Bird tackle Jesus' divinity, the Eucharist, the Ten Commandments, and the Sabbath. 💡 Key topics this week: Did Jesus claim to be the Son of God? Tom Wright challenges Ehrman’s argument. The Eucharist—why it matters for Christian worship. The Ten Commandments—do they still apply today? The Sabbath—how Christ fulfills true rest. Got Questions for Tom? Go to: askntwrigh...
Feb 09, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Tom Wright and Dr. Mike Bird dive into deep theological questions in this episode, tackling Inclusion Theology, Universalism, Predestination, and the question of Free Will. 💡 Is salvation universally available? Does predestination mean some are excluded? How do free will and God’s purposes coexist? Tom and Mike unpack these complex questions, shedding light on biblical perspectives that emphasize transformation, assurance, and the church’s role in reflecting God’s image in the world. Key themes...
Feb 02, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Tom Wright dives into heaven, the rapture, and the nature of hell through the lens of Christian eschatology in this thought-provoking episode. They address the dangers of sensationalism in interpreting scripture and emphasize the importance of viewing these topics within the broader narrative of God’s new creation. 💡 Does God send sinners to eternal torment? Where is heaven exactly? Can baptized Christians who fall away from faith still face hell? How can we be certain of our salvation? These c...
Jan 27, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Dr. Mike Bird and Tom NT Wright take us on a deeply personal journey through their denominational experiences in today's episode of the podcast. From Anglican roots to Catholic insights, they explore the rich tapestry of Christian traditions and reflect on how faith evolves across life’s seasons. 💡 Together, they tackle a listener's heartfelt dilemma: navigating faith within a family where religious backgrounds differ. Should you join the Catholic Church or embrace a Reformed tradition? Tom and...
Jan 20, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In the highly anticipated Season 2 premiere of the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast, Dr. Michael Bird joins legendary theologian Tom Wright for an inspiring deep dive into the historical foundations of Christianity. Together, they explore, why historical accuracy matters in understanding the Bible, unpack the literary tools used in scripture and reflect on the resurrection’s profound impact on time and identity . 💡 The episode also tackles tough questions about skepticism surrounding the resurrec...
Jan 13, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Tom answers listener questions about his role as Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall Oxford, his work habits and love of classical music... plus a Christmas question or two. Originally Aired: 23 Dec 2021 • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 • More shows, free eBook, newsletter, and sign up to ask Tom your questions: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.c...
Dec 26, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 237
From the archives: Tom answers listener questions about whether shrines are pagan, whether infant baptism is biblical, and how we can live in unity despite theological differences around sexuality. • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 • More shows, free eBook, newsletter, and sign up to ask Tom your questions: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/trainin...
Dec 11, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 236
Today's episode features a special guest - renowned Australian Bible scholar, co-authored and friend of Tom's, Mike Bird. Together, they delve into their groundbreaking collaborative work, "The New Testament in its World: An introduction to the history, literature, and theology of the first Christians" which both combines and unpacks years of Tom's major study into this seminal volume. For more books written by Tom Wright and Mike Bird • Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Ag...
Dec 05, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 235
Tom offers advice to a listener who is moving away from Christianity because she believes the Bible seems to treat women as second class citizens. Another is an agnostic who has been praying for the war in Ukraine. Will God hear my prayers if I’m not even sure I believe? Originally Aired: 25 August 2022 • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 • More shows, free eBook, newsletter, and sign up to ask Tom your questions: https://premierunbelievable.com • For l...
Nov 21, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 234
Tackling one of the biggest questions of all time, the problem of evil and suffering, in today's episode an atheist listener asks a question about free will and the problem of evil. Will it be possible for there to be another ‘fall’ in the new creation? And the hosts of the Libertarian Christian Podcast have some questions for Tom about living as Christians in today’s world. Originally Aired: Sept 2019 • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 • More shows, f...
Nov 14, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 233
Tom Wright joins Justin to answer listener questions on how to interpret the early chapters of Genesis, what he believes about the nature of Adam and Eve, whether suffering and death existed before the fall and much more… First broadcast in 2019. • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 • More shows, free eBook, newsletter, and sign up to ask Tom your questions: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online lear...
Nov 07, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 232
Does taking anti-depressant medication mean I’m failing to trust God? I was told to read the Bible to cure my eating disorder - how do we educate the church? How do I reconcile the Biblical command ‘do not be anxious’ with chronic anxiety? Tom answers listener questions about mental health. Originally Aired: 19 May 2022 • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 • More shows, free eBook, newsletter, and sign up to ask Tom your questions: https://premierunbelie...
Oct 31, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 231
Tom answers personal question from listeners about how to develop spiritual disciplines, escaping the cycle of besetting sin, and how to respond to homeless people with substance addiction and mental health problems. Originally Aired: 13 May 2022 • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 • More shows, free eBook, newsletter, and sign up to ask Tom your questions: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online lear...
Oct 24, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 230
Tom responds to listener Qs on Andy Stanley ‘unhitching’ Christianity from the Old Testament, the historicity of the Exodus, and the way that Greg Boyd interprets violent portraits of God in ‘The Crucifixion Of The Warrior God’. First broadcast in 2019. • Subscribe to the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast: https://pod.link/1441656192 • More shows, free eBook, newsletter, and sign up to ask Tom your questions: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For onli...
Oct 17, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 223
