Podcast Summary: Ask NT Wright Anything – OT Wright? Remarriage, the New Creation & God’s Equal Love
Episode Release Date: July 27, 2025
Host: Mike Bird
Guest: Tom Wright, Oxford Scholar
Introduction
In this engaging episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, host Mike Bird from Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia, converses with renowned Oxford scholar Tom Wright. Together, they delve into profound theological questions submitted by listeners, focusing on topics such as the translation of the Old Testament, remarriage in the context of the new creation, gender identity, and the role of Jewish believers in God's salvation plan.
1. Translation of the Old Testament
Timestamp: [02:14]
Mike Bird initiates the discussion by inquiring about Tom Wright's plans to translate the Old Testament, drawing a parallel to his acclaimed translation of the New Testament.
Mike Bird:
“Tom, when can we expect your translation of the Old Testament scrolls, which Jesus most often quoted? I would love an NT. Right, top 10 Old Testament Scrolls or passages. I think he means sitting next to the New Testament by NT Wright.”
Tom Wright:
“I am always amused when people devise extra books for me to write. I would have thought I'd actually done quite enough already... an Old Testament translation is not one of them.” [03:31]
Tom explains his focus has predominantly been on the New Testament and acknowledges the complexity of translating the Old Testament, commending John Goldingay’s work as a benchmark. He emphasizes the foundational role of the Old Testament in understanding the New Testament but clarifies that an Old Testament translation from his end is unlikely in the near future.
2. Best Old Testament Passages for Christians
Timestamp: [06:25]
Mike transitions to ask Tom about which Old Testament passage he believes more Christians should internalize.
Tom Wright:
“Psalm 110 would be interesting because of course it involves some quite violent work on behalf of the Anointed One who goes around smashing up people's heads and so on... Psalm 23 is a great place to start... I would love people just to know Genesis 1 and 2.” [07:36]
Tom highlights the significance of Genesis 1 and 2, portraying the creation narrative where humans are established as God's vicegerents. He also mentions Psalm 23 as a foundational anchor and notes the unique aspects of Psalm 110 in the New Testament context, encouraging Christians to deeply engage with these texts to enrich their theological understanding.
3. Remarriage and the New Creation
Timestamp: [08:30]
The episode addresses a heartfelt question from Shunsuke Yoshimura in Japan concerning remarriage in the context of the new heavens and new earth.
Shunsuke Yoshimura’s Question:
“My main concern would be whether I would even want to get remarried, considering the new heavens and new earth where I would be reunited with my wife again...”
Tom Wright:
“In the new creation we will have got beyond death itself, so there is no need to reproduce... we will want different things. And our wants will flow from creative self-giving love completely and purely...” [10:05]
Tom explains that in the new creation, traditional marital bonds as known today may not persist because humanity transcends the need for reproduction. He draws parallels to Jesus' teachings in the Gospels, where He indicates that relationships like marriage will transform in the resurrection. Tom reassures that any potential awkwardness surrounding remarriage would likely be absent in the new creation, emphasizing a state of celebration and renewal.
Mike Bird:
“Whatever intimacies there are between human beings... it doesn't extend to the normal marital relationships...” [15:26]
Mike adds that marital relationships, as currently understood, may not carry over into the new creation, highlighting a shift towards different forms of relationships centered around partnership and reign with Christ.
4. Gender Identity and God's Image
Timestamp: [15:26]
A follow-up question from Jason P. touches on the importance of gender after death and the theological implications of gender fluidity.
Jason P.’s Question:
“How important do you think gender is post human death? Given that male and female were both in God's image, it almost seems that God is both genders. So why or why not? Might it be a problem for folks to be trans?”
Tom Wright:
“God is beyond gender... Paul picks this up in Ephesians 5... God's Creator is beyond gender, but he makes gendered or sexed human beings...” [16:18]
Tom delineates the distinction between sex (biological function) and gender (societal roles), asserting that God transcends gender. However, he emphasizes the inherent goodness of God's creation in making humans male and female. Tom expresses concern over contemporary views that prioritize personal gender identity over biological reality, highlighting it as a significant cultural and theological challenge.
Mike Bird:
“There’s a problem where we preference an ephemeral sense of identity over empirical biological reality... that’s always going to lead to very, very bad outcomes in the end.” [19:21]
Mike concurs, underscoring the potential negative consequences of valuing self-perceived identity over biological truths.
5. The Place of Jewish Believers in God's Saving Purposes
Timestamp: [20:18]
The conversation shifts to a profound inquiry from Jonathan B. in the USA regarding the status of Jewish believers in God's salvation plan.
Jonathan B.’s Question:
“Some people saying that there seems to be something specific to them some special extra something for Jewish believers... How do I square this?... I wonder if God is fair.”
Tom Wright:
“Read the letter to the Romans carefully... Paul is emphatic that God shows no favoritism... in Galatians 2, describing the way he has had to come as a devout Jew...” [24:08]
Tom advises a thorough and prayerful reading of Romans, particularly chapters 2 and 11, to understand Paul's balanced stance that God shows no partiality. He explains that while Jewish and Gentile believers stand on equal ground in Christ, Paul's writings emphasize that true identity in faith transcends ethnic backgrounds. Tom acknowledges the historical and ongoing tensions but reiterates that in God's salvific plan, ethnic background does not confer superiority or favoritism.
Mike Bird:
“That is a very dangerous one... But clearly for Paul, what's in the middle is Jesus is Israel's Messiah...” [29:24]
Mike reinforces that believers, whether Jewish or Gentile, are united in Christ, and no group holds a privileged position in God's eyes.
Conclusion
In this illuminating episode, Mike Bird and Tom Wright navigate complex theological questions with depth and clarity. From the intricacies of biblical translation to the nuanced understanding of marriage, gender, and salvation, they provide listeners with thoughtful insights grounded in scripture and scholarly expertise. The discussion encourages believers to engage deeply with their faith, fostering a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of God's intentions for humanity.
Notable Quotes
-
Tom Wright:
“In the new creation we will have got beyond death itself, so there is no need to reproduce...” [10:05] -
Mike Bird:
“Whether intimacies between human beings... it doesn’t extend to the normal marital relationships.” [15:26] -
Tom Wright:
“God is beyond gender...” [16:18] -
Mike Bird:
“That’s always going to lead to very, very bad outcomes in the end.” [19:21] -
Tom Wright:
“Read the letter to the Romans carefully... Paul is emphatic that God shows no favoritism.” [24:08] -
Mike Bird:
“What is in the middle is Jesus is Israel's Messiah...” [29:24]
Further Listening
For those intrigued by this episode, Ask NT Wright Anything offers a rich back catalog of discussions addressing a wide range of theological questions. Subscribe to the podcast for more insightful conversations with Tom Wright and deepen your understanding of faith, scripture, and life in Christ.
End of Summary