What did Jesus mean by “the end of the age”? Does the New Testament teach salvation by faith alone, or do works matter too? And what will happen to the earth in God’s new creation?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle big questions on eschatology, faith, and new creation. They unpack Jesus’ teachings about the temple and the “end of the age,” explain why faith and works are inseparable in the New Testament, and reflect on Paul’s vision of a world renewed when heaven and earth come together. Along the way, they challenge common misunderstandings shaped by Western traditions and offer a hope-filled vision of God’s future.
SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefeFacebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable 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👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning
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36:47
Tom, Should We Work Out? Why Is The Bible Authoritative?
Mike Bird and Tom Wright take on three wide-ranging listener questions. First: should Christians work out? Tom reflects on how physical health connects with the life of the soul, and whether Scripture points toward a holistic vision of body and spirit. Next: why is the Bible authoritative? Is it the church’s decision, the content of its teaching, or the work of the Spirit? Tom unpacks how authority is best understood through the story the Scriptures tell. Finally: the unforgivable sin. What does Jesus mean, and how should Christians approach such a troubling saying? Tom offers pastoral guidance shaped by context, hope, and the Spirit’s ongoing work.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👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning
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32:46
Did God create 100 billion people just to send them to hell?
Mike Bird and Tom Wright dive into another round of thoughtful listener questions. First: how do you go about choosing a church? Tom lays out wise principles for discerning a community rooted in the gospel, shaped by worship, and committed to mission. Next: catechisms. From centuries-old confessions to modern teaching tools, Tom shares which one has shaped him most and why. Finally: a weighty question on God’s character. Did God create billions of people only to condemn them? Tom wrestles with how Scripture frames judgment, mercy, and the ultimate purpose of creation, offering hope that rests in God’s love and justice.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👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning
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36:34
Bonus Episode: Tom Wright remembers Richard B. Hays - The Scholar Who Changed How We Read Paul
In this bonus episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird pay tribute to the late New Testament scholar Richard B. Hays—a friend of Tom’s and one of the most significant voices in biblical studies. Tom recalls their first meeting in 1983 and how Richard’s innovative reading of Romans 4:1 shaped decades of scholarship. They discuss his influential interpretation of the “faithfulness of Christ” in Paul’s letters, his landmark study The Moral Vision of the New Testament, and his ground-breaking Echoes of Scripture books, which continue to reshape how readers understand Paul, the Gospels, and the Old Testament. Alongside theological insights, Tom shares personal memories of Richard’s faith, humour, and friendship, highlighting a legacy that continues to inspire both scholars and the church today.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👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning.
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27:49
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27:49
Should Church Leaders Be Ordained? Are We Needed To Usher In The New Creation?
Mike Bird and Tom Wright take on three big listener questions. First: how do we actually cooperate with the Spirit in God’s plan for new creation? Tom reflects on what it means to anticipate heaven and earth being joined, and how our present faithfulness participates in that future hope. Next: ordination and church leadership. Are we in danger of over-structuring the body of Christ? Drawing from the New Testament and church history, Tom considers why ordination emerged and what it means for today. Finally: egalitarian roots and resurrection hope. Were the earliest churches more like Corinth’s fluid gatherings? What about para-church movements? And in Revelation 20, what sort of resurrection is Peter really speaking about? Tom explores continuity, community, and the call to live as people of the age to come.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👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning
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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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