Ask NT Wright Anything: Episode Summary - "Will God Resurrect My Cremated Body?"
Release Date: May 11, 2025
Host: Mike Bird
Guest: Tom Wright
Produced by Premier Unbelievable
Introduction
In this engaging episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, hosts Mike Bird and Tom Wright delve deep into profound theological questions, bridging the Old and New Testaments to address contemporary Christian concerns. This episode primarily explores the nature of grace and the theological implications of cremation within Christian beliefs.
Discussion on Grace: Hesed and Charis
David Mabie's Inquiry on Grace and Hesed
Timestamp: 02:05 - 04:29
David Mabie poses a thoughtful question about the correlation between the concept of grace in the New Testament and hesed in the Hebrew Bible. He highlights the complexity of translating hesed, a Hebrew term often rendered as loving kindness, steadfast love, or covenant love. Mabie references scholars like David De Silva and John Barclay, emphasizing that grace is intricately tied to the gift of Jesus Christ.
Tom Wright's Exploration of Grace and Hesed
Timestamp: 04:29 - 10:49
Tom Wright responds by unpacking the translation challenges of hesed, noting its expansive meaning that encompasses God's overwhelming kindness and goodness. He explains that while hesed and charis (the Greek equivalent for grace) point in the same theological direction, they are not directly interchangeable due to linguistic nuances.
Wright emphasizes that the New Testament presents a more nuanced view of grace, where it is not merely an abstract concept but is embodied in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He cites 1 Corinthians 9:27 to illustrate that belief in grace compels believers to live righteously, aligning with God's intentions rather than seeing grace as a free pass without responsibility.
Notable Quote:
"Grace is the shorthand for the fact that the God of creation is the God of overwhelming self-giving love."
— Tom Wright [09:30]
Grace in Translation: Tom Wright's New Testament Approach
Translating Charis in Wright's New Testament for Everyone
Timestamp: 10:49 - 12:04
Mike Bird inquires about Wright's translation approach in his New Testament work, particularly how he renders charis. Wright confirms that charis is consistently translated as "grace," reinforcing that grace encapsulates God's generous love and sovereign actions in salvation.
Notable Quote:
"Grace is a shorthand way of saying that the God of creation is the God of overwhelming self-giving love."
— Tom Wright [11:27]
Theological Implications of Cremation and Resurrection
Janet Caldwell's Question on Cremation
Timestamp: 14:21 - 19:52
Janet Caldwell raises a sensitive topic surrounding Christian burial practices, specifically the acceptability of cremation. She shares personal anecdotes about family traditions and seeks insights on whether cremation aligns with Christian beliefs about resurrection.
Tom Wright's Perspective on Cremation and Resurrection
Timestamp: 19:52 - 19:52
Tom Wright shares his personal preference for traditional burial, valuing the symbolism of returning to the earth. However, he acknowledges that cremation does not impede the Christian hope of resurrection. Wright references early Christian martyrs and theologians like Origen and CS Lewis to argue that resurrection transcends the physical state of the body, emphasizing God's ability to recreate and restore the individual.
Notable Quote:
"God can raise the dead, but God can give to the dead completely new bodies... ensuring continuity of form even though there's discontinuity of matter."
— Tom Wright [18:30]
Fulfillment of the Law: Does Jesus Replace the Jewish Law?
Davis Trujillo's Question on the Jewish Law
Timestamp: 20:40 - 30:11
Davis Trujillo presents a scenario where a peer believes Christians should adhere to the Jewish law, including Sabbath observance, arguing that Jesus fulfills but does not replace the law. Davis seeks guidance on addressing such beliefs within the broader Christian narrative.
Tom Wright's Response on the Law and Jesus' Fulfillment
Timestamp: 30:11 - 31:27
Tom Wright articulates that Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it, integrating Old Testament traditions into the New Testament understanding. He explains that the Torah remains significant but is now interpreted through the lens of Christ’s life and teachings. Wright highlights that the Sabbath, for instance, is transformed in the New Covenant, symbolizing the eternal Sabbath rest found in Jesus. He emphasizes that adherence to the law is now expressed through living out the principles of grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Notable Quote:
"The Old Testament law was a good thing now fulfilled, not a bad thing to be cast away."
— Tom Wright [30:52]
Conclusion and Future Topics
Mike Bird wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to submit further questions and previews upcoming topics, including discussions on deconstruction, transgender issues, and eschatological perspectives of Jesus.
Closing Remark:
"We are expecting not a resuscitation of a corpse, but new creation. Whether we're buried, cremated, or otherwise, God will bring us back to life with a physical body."
— Mike Bird [20:37]
Additional Resources
- Subscribe for Bonus Episodes: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm
- Free Chapter Download: Why Does God Allow Suffering? available at premierinsight.org/resources
This episode offers a rich exploration of grace and its biblical foundations, the compatibility of cremation with Christian resurrection beliefs, and the nuanced relationship between Jesus and the Jewish law. Tom Wright provides thoughtful, scripture-based insights that help listeners navigate these complex theological topics with clarity and depth.