Surprised by Hope

This summer I am rereading one of my favorites, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, The Resurrection, and The Mission of The Church by N.T. Wright. I was introduced to this book a decade ago, and I refer to it on a regular basis. Wright has not only provided a refreshing, new lens of perspective on eschatology for me but has also catalyzed a desire to continue learning about this topic. Wright is a widely respected New Testament scholar and well known for his historical understanding of early Christianity. 

The book opens by providing a snapshot of what many Christians today believe about what happens after death. He emphasizes that most people are in fact confused and explains some of the key theological misconceptions likely at the root of the confusion. He also provides helpful guidance in understanding first century Jewish and early Christian belief in resurrection, passionately highlighting Jesus’ resurrection. His emphatic case made for the validity and importance of Jesus’ bodily resurrection will no doubt move you! 

In the second section of his book, Wright explains two common cultural lenses: 1) the myth of progress and 2) Gnosticism. He warns that both of these views can deter us from living fully into the abundance and hope the Lord has for us. Using biblical references from 1 Corinthians 15, Ephesians 1 and Colossians 1, Wright explains the theology of new creation and the future redemption of the cosmos — a far cry from my previous understanding of the end times. He emphasizes the echoes of Genesis and makes good sense of how the beginning of the earth and Jesus’ second coming are woven together in a beautiful tapestry. (The Bible Project’s Heaven & Earth study is another great resource on this!) 

Finally, in the third section of Surprised by Hope, Wright shares why having a better understanding of eschatology matters in the here and now. He spends a large portion of the book stressing that we each play a role in rebuilding God’s kingdom on the earth today. Jesus was our ultimate example of how to do that, and we, as coheirs, are given the awesome privilege of joining him as kingdom bringers. What a reason to live and to live well! 

Wright explains that salvation isn’t only about going to heaven. Of course, we are waiting in great anticipation for Jesus’ return, and the fullness of his new creation will be indescribable! However, we are downplaying the fact that Jesus has already initiated the kingdom and we not only get to be part of it, but also have the privilege of working with him in it. Ultimately, this book has given me a reimagined hope for Jesus’ return and a motivation to do his good work now.

In the final chapter, Wright encourages us to continue on in our spiritual disciplines. We cannot be coheirs in transforming the world now if we are not ourselves transformed by an intimate relationship with the Lord in the present. After a decade of reading this book, I am still ruminating about its hearty conviction. I hope you, too, will be surprised by this hope!