Podcast Summary

Podcast: New Books Network
Host: Dave Brochek
Guest: Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright
Episode: "The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative" (Second Edition, InterVarsity Press, 2025)
Date: January 8, 2026

Overview

In this episode, host Dave Brochek interviews Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright about the significantly updated second edition of his influential book, The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative. Drawing from decades of scholarship and global ministry experience, Dr. Wright discusses his core thesis that the Bible is fundamentally a unified narrative centered on God's mission—"missio Dei"—to redeem and restore all of creation. The episode explores what it means to read the entirety of scripture, including often-overlooked Old Testament texts, through a "missional hermeneutic," and addresses the relevance of this approach for Christians, scholars, and mission practitioners today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Wright’s Background and Missional Formation

• Family and Early Influences ([03:54]):

  • Born in Belfast to missionary parents; family background deeply shaped by international perspectives and Christian service.
  • Childhood experiences receiving letters and stamps from around the world seeded a lifelong awareness of global Christianity.

• Academic and Ministerial Journey ([06:30]):

  • Studied classics and theology at Cambridge; initially expected to become a university professor, but felt more called to seminary and church-based teaching.
  • Ordained in the Church of England; furthered experience as a parish pastor and, later, as an Old Testament professor in India (Union Biblical Seminary).
  • Leadership roles at All Nations Christian College (UK) and, since 2001, global ambassador for the Langham Partnership.
  • Langham Partnership’s role: Making theological literature and training accessible to majority-world (Global South) pastors and scholars ([10:32]).

Genesis of The Mission of God

• Motivation and Inspiration ([12:35]):
  • Frustration with the lack of resources that treat the whole Bible as a missional narrative, especially the Old Testament.
  • Cites David Bosch’s Transforming Mission—as pivotal yet lacking in Old Testament emphasis.
  • Quote ([14:04]):

    “I must write a book on Old Testament theology of mission.” – Dr. Wright ([14:04])

  • The project expanded to engage the entire grand narrative of scripture: “The Bible is one whole story… It begins in creation and ends with a new creation.” ([16:02]).

Core Thesis and Structure of the Book

• Missional Hermeneutic ([18:20]):

  • Moves the focus from “the mission of the church” to “the mission of God”—God as the agent and origin of mission; the church is participant.
  • Tracks the Bible’s narrative from creation, through Abraham, Israel’s redemption, covenant, and ultimately Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s missional purposes.

• Key Themes:

  • Election: God’s choosing of Abraham and Israel is for the purpose of blessing all nations, not exclusion or favoritism ([20:02]).
  • Redemption: The Exodus becomes a template for understanding liberation and covenant, culminating in Christ.
  • Universality and Particularity: The story is deeply historical and particular, yet always oriented toward all peoples.
  • Eschatology: Ends with “new heavens and a new earth”—God’s purpose is cosmic restoration ([23:48]).
  • On the unity of God’s people: “By the way, there’s one people—it’s not two. It’s one people through the whole Bible.” ([24:34])

Second Edition: What’s New and Why?

• Motivations for Revision ([25:41]):

  • Growth of scholarship in missional hermeneutics and theology since 2006 required extensive updates.
  • Clarifies positions that were misunderstood, especially around “holistic mission” and the election of Israel.
  • Notable new chapter on “Election and Supersessionism” to directly address criticisms and clarify theological stance ([28:23]).
  • Bibliography expanded by ~190 items; new references marked with an asterisk for reader convenience ([30:59]).

• Quote:

  “I haven’t changed my mind on anything… but I needed to clarify some things that I’d said… particularly in the area of what’s sometimes called holistic mission.” – Dr. Wright ([25:50])

Readability and Intended Audience

• Advice for Readers ([32:52]):

  • Book is intentionally written to be accessible; skip the first two academic chapters if desired, and dive into the narrative core from chapter 3.
  • “If anything is worth saying, it’s worth saying well, and it doesn’t have to be complicated just because it’s profound.” ([33:32])
  • Suitable for seminarians, church leaders, and “average Christians with moderate education.”

• Teaching Experience: The book’s widespread adoption as a textbook has kept it in print and circulation; Wright is gratified by its readability and value for group study.

Author’s Personal Discovery Through Writing

• Journey of Discovery ([35:54]):

  • The process of writing the book broadened Dr. Wright’s perspective—what began as an Old Testament project evolved into an integrated, whole-Bible theology.
  • Quote:

    “The book has indeed been a journey of discovery for its author.” ([35:54])

• Paradigm Shift ([39:34]):

  • Advocates shifting the focus from “How do I apply the Bible to my life?” to “How do I apply my life to the Bible?”—centering on God’s story rather than individual self ([41:21]).

Defining “The Mission of God”

• Scriptural Anchor ([43:20]):

  • Ephesians 1:9-10 cited as the Bible’s concise statement of God’s mission:

    “God’s ultimate purpose is the healing, reconciliation and unifying of the whole creation, which has been so broken, spoiled, twisted by our sin and rebellion.” – Dr. Wright ([44:15])

  • Also references Colossians 1:20 for cosmic scope.

• Quote:

  “God's ultimate purpose is to put [the world] right… through Christ… [the mission of God] is for the whole creation, and it's been accomplished through Christ.” ([44:15–46:29])

Mission, Empire, and Metanarrative

• Christian Mission and Colonial Critiques ([47:56], [48:43]):

  • Wright openly acknowledges historical abuses but insists the biblical narrative is anti-colonial and inclusive.
  • The early expansion of Christianity occurred outside Western colonial frameworks, and today, most cross-cultural missionaries are from the Global South.

• Biblical Metanarrative ([51:16]):

  • Unlike oppressive metanarratives, scripture’s story dignifies all cultures and peoples, culminating in the vision of diverse nations together in Revelation.
  • "It's more like a salad bowl… every color and texture and flavor is there." ([54:34])

Advice for Writers and Scholars

• Wright’s Current and Future Work ([55:55]):
  • Working on an accessible exposition of Deuteronomy: part of "Hearing the Message of…" series.
  • Advice to younger scholars: Be patient, stay humble, and always write with the everyday church member in mind, not just for academic peers.
  • Personal tip: "Think of one person in your church... whom you would like to be reading what you are writing, and write for her." ([58:45])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the narrative cohesion of the Bible:

  "This whole library has a remarkable coherence... it begins in the beginning, and it ends with a new beginning and a new creation." – Dr. Wright ([16:02])

• On missional interpretation:

  "So often we make mission about us—our mission, what we are going to do to save the world… We need to somehow get God back into the center of mission." ([38:34])

• On teaching and writing for the church:

  "Whatever you come to think about or study or write, keep the church in mind... Speak their language in a way that's nourishing and draws them closer to God." ([59:40])

• On the anti-colonial nature of biblical mission:

  "Christianity expanded... in a totally non-colonialist way by people simply bearing witness to the saving power of Christ." ([49:43]) "The biblical metanarrative… is precisely for the sake of all nations and all cultures." ([51:16])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:00 – 03:41: Dr. Wright’s introduction and global background
• 12:35 – 17:44: How and why The Mission of God was first written
• 18:20 – 24:34: Core themes—election, redemption, universality
• 25:41 – 32:07: The need for a second edition and what’s new
• 32:52 – 35:19: Readership, accessibility, and study advice
• 35:54 – 41:21: The book as a journey of discovery and paradigm shift in reading scripture
• 43:20 – 47:56: Defining “the mission of God” (Ephesians 1:9-10, Colossians 1:20)
• 47:56 – 55:08: Responding to critiques: mission, empire, and inclusivity
• 55:55 – 60:32: Wright’s current work and advice to new scholars
• 60:32 – End: Host thanks and closing reflection

Conclusion

This episode offers a deep dive into one of the most significant works in missional and biblical theology, directly from its author. Dr. Wright’s passion for a holistic, inclusive, and scripture-rooted understanding of God’s mission comes through in his scholarship and personal stories. For theologians, pastors, church members, and global Christians seeking to better understand the unity and scope of the Bible’s narrative—and our place within it—this interview and the second edition of The Mission of God are invaluable resources.