Episode Summary: "I am a transgender man, can I get married to a woman?"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Ask NT Wright Anything
• Host: Mike Bird
• Guest: Tom Wright
• Release Date: May 19, 2025
• Description: A deep dive into pressing theological and social questions, connecting listeners to NT (Tom) Wright’s thought and theology.

1. Navigating Transgender Identity and Christian Faith

Timestamp: [01:58] – [15:41]

The episode kicks off with a heartfelt question from William, a transgender man from Canada, who shares his journey of transitioning and embracing Christianity. William expresses his desire to serve God authentically while grappling with concerns about living in a way that aligns with his faith, particularly regarding marriage.

Key Points Discussed:

• Biological and Psychological Complexity: Tom Wright acknowledges the intricate relationship between biology and psychology, emphasizing that gender dysphoria is a multifaceted experience. He notes that while many adolescents outgrow gender dysphoria, a significant minority continue to identify as transgender into adulthood.

• Pastoral Support is Crucial: Tom underscores the importance of having a supportive church community and wise pastoral guidance. He emphasizes that pastoral care should be compassionate, prayerful, and discerning, helping individuals navigate their unique circumstances without judgment.

• Grace and Acceptance: Highlighting the essence of Christian grace, Tom states, “God doesn’t say, well, I can’t have anything to do with you because of X, Y and Z that's happened in the background.” (Timestamp: [06:14]). He reassures that God’s love is unconditional and inclusive, providing a pathway forward rooted in love and affirmation rather than condemnation.

• Marriage and Sin Concerns: Addressing William's specific worry about marriage, Tom suggests that God can love and accept individuals in their current state. He encourages seeking pastoral advice to understand how marriage can be navigated authentically within one's faith journey.

• Anthropological Perspectives: The conversation delves into the broader theological implications of gender identity, with Tom advocating for a robust understanding of what it means to be human in Christ. He references Genesis 1, emphasizing humans as God’s image-bearers, and discusses how this understanding influences views on gender and identity.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Wright: “God meets us where we are and loves us as we are.” (Timestamp: [08:45])
• Tom Wright: “Grace enfolds us in the love of God.” (Timestamp: [12:30])

2. Deconstruction and Reconstructing Faith

Timestamp: [20:15] – [33:57]

The discussion transitions to a question from Rob Conaway of Columbus, USA, addressing the movement of deconstruction within Christianity. Rob seeks guidance on recovering the essence of Christianity amidst concerns of politicization and trivialization.

Key Points Discussed:

• Cultural Influence on Faith: Tom reflects on his own Anglican background, recognizing that all cultures influence the interpretation and practice of Christianity. He emphasizes that no tradition is free from cultural biases that can distort the Gospel.

• Process of Re-evaluation: Highlighting the necessity for every generation to reassess its understanding of faith, Tom advocates for continual reform and adaptation to remain true to core Christian principles. He cites the Latin phrase, “Ecclesia cattolica semper reformanda,” underscoring the need for ongoing church reform.

• Supportive Community During Deconstruction: Tom advises that individuals questioning their faith should seek supportive communities that allow for honest questioning and exploration. He warns against environments where questioning is met with hostility or dismissal.

• Embracing Questions: Drawing from the story of Thomas in the Gospels, Tom illustrates that Jesus welcomes questions and doubts, using them as opportunities for deeper understanding and faith strengthening.

• Discernment and Growth: Emphasizing personal growth, Tom encourages listeners to engage in thoughtful discernment, balancing tradition with contemporary understanding to navigate complex theological issues.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Wright: “Wise pastors and preachers should know that [questions] and be prepared to sit with the questioner and find out what’s actually going on.” (Timestamp: [26:10])
• Tom Wright: “Don't let go of Jesus. Take those Gospels day by day, read them, pray them...” (Timestamp: [32:00])

3. Understanding Matthew 16:28 and Eschatological Predictions

Timestamp: [33:57] – [44:10]

The final segment addresses a theological query from Jim Bartright concerning Matthew 16:28, where Jesus mentions some disciples not tasting death before seeing the Son of Man’s kingdom. Jim questions whether this implies Jesus was incorrect about the end times, given that many contemporaries did pass away without witnessing a second coming.

Key Points Discussed:

• Contextual Interpretation: Tom explains that the phrase “coming in his kingdom” refers not to a future physical return but to the inauguration of Jesus’s sovereign lordship through his death, resurrection, and ascension. This aligns with Old Testament prophecies, particularly from Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1, where the Son of Man is exalted to rule beside God.

• Fulfillment of Scripture: He argues that early Christians understood the kingdom of God as being established through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, marking the fulfillment of Messianic expectations rather than an impending apocalyptic event.

• Scholarly Perspectives: Tom critiques interpretations like Albert Schweitzer’s "delay of the parousia," suggesting that many theological misunderstandings arise from misinterpreting New Testament passages without considering their Old Testament intertexts.

• The Role of the Early Church: He emphasizes that early Christian writings, such as those by Paul, consistently view Jesus’s resurrection and ascension as the establishment of his eternal kingdom, focusing on spiritual reign rather than a temporal end of the world.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Wright: “The resurrection of Jesus constitutes him as the true Lord of the world.” (Timestamp: [36:04])
• Tom Wright: “The idea of the Son of Man coming in his kingdom has to do with not just Jesus death, but with the whole complex of his death, resurrection and ascension.” (Timestamp: [37:30])

Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

As the episode wraps up, Mike Bird hints at future discussions tackling sensitive subjects such as suicide and the biblical basis for the Trinity, encouraging listeners to submit their questions for ongoing exploration.

Final Thoughts: Tom and Mike provide thoughtful, compassionate, and theologically grounded responses to complex questions, embodying a balance of grace and truth. The episode is a valuable resource for listeners navigating difficult intersections of faith, identity, and scripture.

Upcoming Episodes Preview:

• Suicide: Addressing the tragedy with sensitivity and theological insight.
• Baptism and the Trinity: Exploring the biblical foundations of the Trinity in the context of baptism.

Engage with the Podcast: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe for bonus content and submit their questions at askntwright.supportingcast.fm.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• Tom Wright: “Grace enfolds us in the love of God.” [06:14]
• Tom Wright: “Don't let go of Jesus. Take those Gospels day by day, read them, pray them...” [32:00]
• Tom Wright: “The resurrection of Jesus constitutes him as the true Lord of the world.” [36:04]

This episode of "Ask NT Wright Anything" offers profound insights into contemporary theological dilemmas, providing listeners with guidance rooted in biblical scholarship and pastoral care.