Ask NT Wright Anything: BONUS Subscriber-Only Easter Show Episode Title: What Does Easter Mean for the Mission of the Church Today? Host: Mike Bird Guest: Tom Wright Release Date: April 21, 2025

Introduction

In this special bonus episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, hosted by Mike Bird and featuring renowned theologian Tom Wright, the conversation delves deep into the significance of Easter and its profound implications for the mission of the Church today. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, this episode explores how Easter shapes the Church's purpose, mission, and interaction with the world.

Resurrection and the Mission of the Church

Mike Bird opens the discussion by posing a critical question: "What does the resurrection mean for us today? Specifically, how does it influence the mission and purpose of the Church?" This sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of Easter's role beyond personal salvation, emphasizing its impact on communal and global missions.

Tom Wright responds by sharing his transformative experience in Jerusalem during Holy Week in 1989. He recounts attending a sunrise service where the message centered solely on life after death: “there is a life after death, and therefore, if you believe in Jesus, you will go and join him in heaven” ([04:58]). However, he felt the message undervalued the resurrection's broader implications for new creation and mission.

Biblical Foundations of Resurrection and Mission

Wright delves into the New Testament narratives, clarifying that the resurrection signifies more than just eternal life. He emphasizes that the resurrection confirms Jesus as the Messiah and serves as the foundation for the Church's mission. Referencing Matthew 28 (the Great Commission), Wright explains:

"Jesus says, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples" ([04:58]).

He contrasts this with the original intentions of the Gospel writers, noting that resurrection narratives aren't merely about afterlife promises but about empowering the Church to actively participate in God's redemptive work in the world.

Notable Quote:

"Jesus has all authority, not just in heaven and on earth. And then he gives us tasks from his authority to lead to the renewal of creation." — Tom Wright ([19:38])

The Triple Mission: Justice, Beauty, and Evangelism

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on what Wright identifies as the Church's tripartite mission rooted in the resurrection: Justice, Beauty, and Evangelism.

1. Justice: Wright argues that the resurrection calls the Church to address and rectify injustices in the world. He differentiates this from a mere escape from the world, emphasizing active participation in God's project of putting creation right.

   "If the church is not concerned about justice in the world and in its own life in the church, then what sort of message does it give?" — Tom Wright ([19:38])

2. Beauty: The inclusion of beauty highlights the Church's role in fostering and appreciating art, music, and culture as reflections of God's new creation. This engagement with beauty serves to inspire hope and envision the fullness of God's kingdom.

   "If we're talking about a new creation, which would be like the present beautiful creation, only much, much more so... that's act one of God's creation." — Tom Wright ([19:38])

3. Evangelism: Moving beyond traditional evangelism, which often focuses on personal salvation, Wright redefines it as participation in God's mission to redeem the world. This involves a communal and transformative approach rather than an individualistic escape.

   "The good news that the Christians had is that God's new world has been unveiled in King Jesus, who is the Lord of the world." — Tom Wright ([19:38])

Hope as a Driving Force for Mission

The conversation transitions to the concept of hope and its vital role in the Church's mission. Wright connects hope to Psalm 2, which speaks of nations' turmoil and God's ultimate sovereignty. He relates this to contemporary global challenges, illustrating how hope propels the Church to act as a sign of God's promised new creation.

Notable Quote:

"When we're talking about hope, we're talking about God's ultimate future, but also all the penultimate futures which God wants to bring about." — Tom Wright ([21:47])

Wright draws parallels between historical movements, such as the abolition of slavery and interracial worship in South Africa, demonstrating how hope inspired by the resurrection leads to tangible societal transformations.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Central to the Church's mission is the empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Wright emphasizes that the resurrection is intrinsically linked to the gift of the Spirit, enabling believers to live out the mission effectively.

“Receive the Holy Spirit. And now it will be God working in and through you.” — Tom Wright ([04:58])

This divine empowerment ensures that the Church can embody Jesus' mission, fostering justice, beauty, and evangelism in alignment with God's redemptive plan.

Practical Implications for the Church Today

Wright and Bird discuss practical steps the Church can take to embody the resurrection's mission:

1. Fostering Unity: Emphasizing the importance of unity within the Church as a testament to God's new creation. Wright references Paul's teachings in Romans about unity being a sign of hope for the world.

   "If we keep our churches disunited... we lose our grip on the promise of resurrection." — Tom Wright ([19:38])

2. Engaging in Social Justice: Actively addressing injustices and advocating for societal change reflects the Church's commitment to God's putting-right project.

3. Cultivating Creativity: Encouraging the arts and cultural expressions to inspire and communicate the hope of the resurrection, making the message accessible and relatable.

4. Dynamic Evangelism: Redefining evangelism to focus on communal participation in God's mission, rather than solely individual salvation narratives.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Mike Bird and Tom Wright reiterating the transformative power of the resurrection for the Church's mission. They underscore that Easter isn't just a historical event but a continuing mandate for the Church to enact God's redemptive purposes through justice, beauty, and evangelism, all fueled by the audacity of hope.

Closing Quote:

"The church is both to model and to be the agent of new creation right now, because it's all pointing forward to the time when God will do for the whole creation what he did for Jesus at Easter." — Tom Wright ([19:38])

Bird encourages listeners to explore Wright's influential book, Surprised by Hope, and engage further through subscription-based content, highlighting the importance of understanding and living out the resurrection's mission in contemporary contexts.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "We get all these great questions from people, Tom, but you and I talk after the show and think, oh boy, it'd be great if we could discuss this thing on justification or the Holy Spirit or something on mission..." — Mike Bird ([01:29])

• "Jesus has all authority, not just in heaven and on earth. And then he gives us tasks from his authority to lead to the renewal of creation." — Tom Wright ([19:38])

• "When we're talking about hope, we're talking about God's ultimate future, but also all the penultimate futures which God wants to bring about." — Tom Wright ([21:47])

• "If we keep our churches disunited... we lose our grip on the promise of resurrection." — Tom Wright ([19:38])

• "Receive the Holy Spirit. And now it will be God working in and through you." — Tom Wright ([04:58])

This episode serves as a profound reminder of the enduring relevance of Easter, urging the Church to embody the resurrection through active mission, inspired by justice, beauty, and a steadfast hope in God's transformative power.