Ask NT Wright Anything - Episode Summary Released: August 10, 2025

Hosted by Mike Bird and Tom Wright, "Ask NT Wright Anything" is a thought-provoking podcast that delves into theology, faith, and the teachings of NT (Tom) Wright. In this episode, titled "Jesus and the Powers, Why does it take the Anglicans so long to choose an Archbishop? What are healthy spiritual practices?", the hosts explore significant topics ranging from church leadership to spiritual well-being.

1. Selecting the Archbishop of Canterbury

[02:44] Mike Bird Introduces the Topic

Mike Bird kicks off the discussion by posing a pressing question: "The UK, the Church of England is getting ready to elect a new Archbishop of Canterbury. What do you think are the qualities that make a good Archbishop of Canterbury?" He humorously adds, "Is there anything that you have to have on your CV in order to be an Archbishop of Canterbury?"

[02:44 - 08:23] Tom Wright on Qualities Required

Tom Wright responds thoughtfully, emphasizing the multifaceted role of the Archbishop of Canterbury within the Anglican Communion. He highlights several key qualities:

• Leadership and Management Skills: "One of the first things would be to have somebody who knew how to delegate to wise pastors, assistants, study assistants, etc., so that he or she was not going to be burdened with having to respond to little things that come in." ([06:10])

• Deep Theological Knowledge: "Somebody who knows the scriptures up and down and in and out. Somebody who understands how the whole Christian tradition works..." ([06:50])

• Ecumenical Mindset: The Archbishop must foster good relationships with various Christian denominations worldwide.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing the diversity within the Anglican Communion, especially the significant number of non-English-speaking Anglicans globally.

• Patience and Resilience: Referencing Rowan Williams, Tom notes that "to be archbishop, you have to have the patience of a saint in the hide of a rhinoceros or something like that."

Tom also underscores the challenges posed by modern communication, stating, "There are messages belting into Lambeth Palace from all over the world... and social media has made management a huge part of the role." ([07:30])

[08:23] Mike Bird Proposes an Alternative Election Process

Mike suggests a restructuring of the election process: "What if we made the Archbishop of York as the primate for the Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury became like an Anglican pope and you gathered all the Anglican bishops of the world together for a conference to elect a new archbishop." ([08:23])

[09:03] Tom Wright Responds to the Proposal

Tom considers Mike's proposal but expresses reservations:

• Complexity and Tradition: "The way that Canterbury and York have worked and do work is so involved with the law of the land and with the lie of the land..." ([09:03])

• Democratic Processes: He advocates for maintaining inclusive processes that involve laypeople to avoid an "old boys club" scenario.

• Pragmatic Approach: "I believe in democracy. I believe in participation. But I also believe that sometimes we have to slice through that and say, no, here is a prophetic word." ([09:50])

Tom concludes by humorously distancing himself from the role, "You can tell why I'm no longer in office." ([10:55])

2. Listener Questions

a. Spiritual Anxiety and Healthy Practices

[11:06] Michael Pearson's Question

Michael Pearson reaches out with a heartfelt inquiry: "I have tried various spiritual practices like the Book of Common Prayer, contemplative practices, and meditation, but I experience an 'evangelical angst'—a fear that my practices might be heretical or vain repetition." He shares his struggle with maintaining a dynamic spiritual journey while fearing deviation from God's will.

[12:50 - 18:46] Tom Wright's Insightful Response

Tom offers compassionate advice to Michael:

• Embrace the Psalms: "The Psalms are absolutely all important. They have been the backbone of Christian worship for 2000 years." ([14:30])

• Focus on God, Not Self-Judgment: "As long as we do that, that react itself is a wrong reaction, because that means we're thinking about me and whether I'm getting it right, rather than thinking about God and what he's done for me in Jesus." ([13:10])

• Engage with Scripture Dynamically: He suggests immersing oneself in Gospel stories to allow Jesus to speak personally, fostering a more intimate and less rigid spiritual practice.

• Avoid Legalism: Drawing from CS Lewis, Tom warns against the trap of overemphasizing humility to the point of self-righteousness, "In other words, slice through that. It's possible to get so into that downward spiral of anxiety that you fail to see the reality." ([17:00])

• Seek Guidance: Tom recommends consulting a spiritual director to navigate and refresh one's prayer practices as needed.

Tom concludes by encouraging openness to various expressions of prayer, emphasizing that "they can all be ways in which we are open to God and to God's Spirit." ([18:20])

b. Understanding Powers and Their Corruption

[19:10] Listener Transition and Skipped Ads

Note: The segment from [19:10] to [20:32] contains advertisements and is therefore omitted from this summary.

[20:32] Connie McCulloch's Question

Connie poses a profound theological question: "Are corrupted powers—such as the abuse of structures like marriage, government, and economic institutions—simply good structures gone wrong, or do they represent something more inherently evil?" She lists examples including the misuse of economic forces, abusive systems, and moral deviations within societal institutions.

[22:47 - 30:14] Tom Wright and Mike Bird Discuss Corrupted Powers

Tom Wright's Comprehensive Explanation:

• Origin of Powers: "In Colossians 1:15 and 16, ... all principalities and authorities and rules were all created in and through and for Jesus Christ." ([23:10])

• Human Vocation: Humans are tasked with bringing "wise order to God's creation," as outlined in Genesis.

• Corruption Through Misuse: When humans "worship and serve the creature rather than the creator," structures intended for good become corrupted by greed, abuse, and selfishness. For instance, economic institutions shift from "making things to help things" to merely "money chasing money." ([24:30])

• Scriptural Context: Referencing Romans 13, Tom explains that while authorities are ordained by God for order, their misuse is condemned. Jesus' interaction with Pontius Pilate exemplifies the tension between divinely intended order and human corruption.

• Prophetic Role of the Church: The church must "speak the truth to power," challenging systems that deviate from God's intended order. This responsibility involves "prayer and spiritual warfare," as emphasized in Ephesians 6. ([27:00])

Mike Bird Adds from "Jesus and the Powers":

• Structural Integrity: Mike echoes the importance of maintaining structures that reflect God's desire for a rightly ordered world, even amidst corruption.

• Future Hope: He mentions that "all the powers will either be pacified or reconciled," striving towards the perfection envisioned in the new creation.

Tom Wright's Final Thoughts:

• Church as a Model: "The church is to be the small working model of new creation," highlighting its role in exemplifying God's ordered kingdom.

• Vulnerability of Institutions: He warns that the church, like all institutions, is susceptible to corruption and must continually strive to align with divine purposes. ([29:49])

Conclusion

In this episode of "Ask NT Wright Anything," Mike Bird and Tom Wright engage in deep theological discussions, addressing both institutional church matters and personal spiritual struggles of listeners. They emphasize the importance of leadership qualities grounded in theological depth, cultural sensitivity, and pragmatic management. Additionally, they provide guidance on navigating spiritual anxiety through scripture and authentic prayer practices. The conversation on corrupted powers underscores the church's prophetic role in advocating for God's ordered creation against systemic injustices.

For listeners seeking to deepen their understanding of faith, church leadership, and spiritual health, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice grounded in scripture and theological scholarship.

Notable Quotes:

• "The Psalms are absolutely all important. They have been the backbone of Christian worship for 2000 years." — Tom Wright ([14:30])

• "The church is to be the small working model of new creation." — Tom Wright ([29:49])

• "Sometimes we have to slice through that and say, no, here is a prophetic word. We're going with this person. Let's live with it and pray for them and make it work." — Tom Wright ([09:50])

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