Ask NT Wright Anything

Has the Gospel reached the 'Ends of the Earth'? Where's my transformation? Will my children be with me into eternity? 01.06.2026 27mnt

In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three big listener questions that sit at the crossroads of biblical interpretation and pastoral care.First, they explore what Jesus meant when he said the gospel must be preached to “the ends of the earth” in Matthew 24:14, and how that relates to Acts 1:8, Paul’s mission to Spain, and the fall of Jerusalem. Is global evangelisation a trigger for the Second Coming, or have we misunderstood Jesus’ words?Next, they address the painful experience of not feeling spiritually transformed. Drawing on Romans, Galatians, and 2 Corinthians, Tom reflects on the gap between our ideals and our lived reality, the role of mental health (including OCD), and the importance of spiritual direction and wise pastoral care.Finally, they turn to a deeply emotional question: What happens when our children walk away from the faith? Tom and Mike wrestle with how to hope, pray, and trust God’s mercy when we fear an eternity without those we love most, and how to live in that tension without easy answers.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to askntwright.com👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Biblical Theology vs Systematic Theology? Romans 7 explained and whether Calvinism is Biblical? 25.05.2026 43mnt

Another three thorny questions tackled with clarity and depth by Tom Wright and Mike Bird this week. Grab a coffee and prepare for vintage NT Wright. First, they explore the difference between biblical theology and systematic theology, asking when each is most useful and why keeping close to the biblical text really matters. Next, Tom unpacks the much-debated “I” the "Wretched Man" in Romans 7, explaining why Paul is not simply describing the ordinary Christian life but telling a bigger story about Israel, Torah and the problem of sin. Finally, they tackle Calvinism, predestination, the five points of TULIP and the tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom.Into The Heart of Romans https://amzn.to/4sq8aBXSupport & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to askntwright.com👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kingdom of Heaven vs. Secular Humanism; How to brush up on Greek, and should we pray to the Holy Spirit? 18.05.2026 30mnt

Is building God’s kingdom basically the same thing as secular humanism? Should Christians pray directly to the Holy Spirit? And how do you relearn biblical Greek after years away from it?In this episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore the deep difference between Christian hope and secular progress, giving practical advice for recovering New Testament Greek, and explain how the Trinity shapes Christian prayer.A thoughtful conversation about theology, language, and the presence of God.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to askntwright.com👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAGA, Meaning and the End Times 11.05.2026 41mnt

In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three very different but deeply connected questions about faithfulness in a confused age today. First, they address the growing entanglement of MAGA politics, nationalism and parts of white evangelical culture, asking how Christians can resist ideological capture and recover the way of Jesus. They then respond pastorally to a listener wrestling with chronic illness, suffering and the search for meaning, offering compassion, prayer and a cross-shaped vision of purpose. Finally, they explore how to teach a more biblical hope in church: not escapist ideas of souls flying to heaven, but resurrection, new creation and God dwelling with his people. A thoughtful, searching and timely conversation about politics, pain and Christian hope in our present moment together.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to askntwright.com👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you clarify substitutional atonement, Tom? Which OT should Christians use? Northern tribes question 04.05.2026 49mnt

What happened to the “lost tribes” of Israel, and do they matter today?In this episode, Tom Wright explores the mystery of Israel’s northern tribes, the meaning of exile, and how the New Testament reframes restoration.They also dive into the debate around penal substitution, asking whether it truly reflects the biblical story. Finally, Mike and Tom tackle a practical question: which Old Testament should Christians read: the Hebrew Bible or the Septuagint? We hope you find today's episode a deep and clarifying episode on Scripture, history, and theology.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to askntwright.com👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does God repent? What does ekklesia mean? Talking about biblical words and what they mean? 27.04.2026 34mnt

What does the Bible really mean by “soul” and “spirit”? Are they the same thing, or something very different?In this episode, Tom Wright unpacks key biblical words like psuchē, pneuma, and ekklesia, showing how modern misunderstandings can distort Christian theology.They also tackle a profound question: Does God “repent”? How do we reconcile passages where God seems to change his mind with the idea that God is unchanging?This episode is all about getting back to Scripture and avoiding the confusion that comes from some biblical terms and words.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who are Abraham's children? Did Jesus make mistakes? Is apostolic succession essential to the Church's faithfulness? 20.04.2026 36mnt

Recorded in the Anglican calendar's Holy Week this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Michael Bird and Tom Wright begin with Easter traditions, from Bach’s St Matthew Passion to smashing chocolate Humpty Dumpty eggs. Then they tackle three rich questions. First: did Paul “convert” from Judaism to Christianity, or did his encounter with Jesus radically reframe his identity as a child of Abraham and member of God’s covenant people? Next: did Jesus make mistakes? Tom reflects on Hebrews, Gethsemane, and the Syrophoenician woman to explore what it means that Jesus “learned obedience” without implying sin or error. And finally, they discuss apostolic succession, asking whether continuity with the apostles rests mainly in bishops, priests, and deacons, or more deeply in Scripture, sacrament, prayer, and the church’s visible unity across time and space. Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can I attend Catholic church? Jews vs Judeans in translation? Why did Paul circumcise Timothy but not Titus? 13.04.2026 41mnt

In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright responds to listener questions about attending churches across denominational lines, the meaning of key biblical terms, and puzzling moments in the life of the Apostle Paul.Tom explores whether Protestants can attend Catholic churches, reflecting on how Christian unity should be lived out despite real theological differences. He also explains why some Bible translations use “Judeans” instead of “Jews,” and why this matters for understanding the New Testament without importing modern assumptions.Finally, Tom tackles a challenging question about Paul: why did he circumcise Timothy but refuse to circumcise Titus? Through this, he unpacks Paul’s mission strategy, his commitment to unity, and what it means to be faithful to the gospel in different cultural contexts.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Miscarriage, the Eucharist & did all the biblical characters really exist? 06.04.2026 42mnt

In this deeply pastoral episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle some of the most sensitive and difficult questions Christians face.How should believers respond when heartfelt prayers seem unanswered, especially in the tragedy of miscarriage and pregnancy loss? Tom reflects on grief, prayer, and the mysterious work of the Spirit in the midst of suffering.The conversation then turns to the Eucharist: what really happens in Holy Communion? Is it merely symbolic, or does something deeper occur when the church shares the bread and wine?Finally, Tom and Mike explore a question often raised in modern discussions about the Bible: did the characters of scripture, figures like Moses, Jonah, or Job, actually exist?Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did Jesus turn water into wine? Did Paul invent Christianity? Are Christian hymns wrong? NT Wright Explains 30.03.2026 36mnt

In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright answers listener questions about John’s Gospel, worship music, and the relationship between Jesus and Paul.Tom explains how the miracle at Cana reveals Jesus’ glory and points forward to the cross. He also reflects on the theology embedded in Christian hymnody and why some lyrics may need updating. Finally, he addresses the long-standing claim that Paul distorted Jesus’ message and shows how Paul’s mission actually grows directly out of Jesus’ kingdom movement.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women in ministry, Church unity & Paul’s “End of the World” Ask NT Wright 23.03.2026 47mnt

In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore three significant questions facing the church today:• Can Christians remain in a church that disagrees about women in leadership?• How can the global church move toward deeper unity across traditions?• Did the Apostle Paul wrongly expect Jesus to return within his lifetime?Tom reflects on the revolutionary role of women in the early church, the biblical vision of unity in Ephesians, and why Paul’s language about the Lord’s return has often been misunderstood.Rather than predicting the end of the world, Tom explains that the New Testament speaks of the fulfillment of God’s purposes for creation, the arrival of new creation.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you lose your Salvation, hyper-calvanism and did Jesus actually preach Hell? 16.03.2026 45mnt

Today on Ask NT Wright Anything, N.T. Wright and Mike Bird tackle three major theological questions: Can Christians lose their salvation? What did Jesus actually mean when he spoke about hell? Is hyper-Calvinism a distortion of biblical teaching?Tom explores how the New Testament holds together both assurance and warning, why many modern ideas about hell owe more to medieval imagery than the Bible, and why philosophical systems about predestination often miss the central narrative of Scripture.Instead of abstract speculation about who is “in” or “out,” Tom argues that the Bible consistently tells the story of God choosing people in order to bless the world through them. Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's the fine print on the Second Coming, the Transfiguration, and Michael Heiser's Unseen Realm 09.03.2026 41mnt

In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three fascinating theological questions: What actually happens at the Second Coming? Were Moses and Elijah resurrected at the Transfiguration? How should Christians understand the “unseen realm” of angels and spiritual beings?Tom explains why many popular readings of “rapture” passages misunderstand Jesus’ teaching, clarifies the biblical meaning of Christ’s return, and explores how resurrection differs from “going to heaven.” He also addresses the mystery of the Transfiguration and reflects on Michael Heiser’s work on angels and divine beings.Tom unpacks Daniel 7, 1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 3, Revelation 21, and more — explaining how heaven and earth ultimately come together in God’s renewed creation.This episode dives deep into eschatology, resurrection, biblical cosmology, and the nature of heaven and earth. Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donateGot a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10)SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefeFacebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The death of Judas, Biblical Inerrancy and how to avoid being too "heavenly minded"? 02.03.2026 39mnt

How did Judas really die, by hanging or by falling and bursting open? Does the Bible contain contradictions? And what does it really mean to “set your mind on things above”?In this episode of Ask N.T. Wright Anything, Tom Wright, and Mike Bird tackle three challenging questions: Reconciling Matthew and Acts on the death of Judas Whether “biblical inerrancy” is the best way to speak about Scripture’s authority How to read Colossians 3 without falling into a heaven-good, earth-bad mindset Tom explores what biblical authority actually means, why “inerrancy” can sometimes miss the point, and how the New Testament vision is not escape from earth — but heaven and earth coming together in new creation.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber → They can get 10% off by clicking hereFollow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievableFacebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievableTik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievableX: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Puzzled by Dispensationalism: is our suffering redemptive? The rapture, new creation & becoming “Divine” 23.02.2026 41mnt

In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three profound theological questions that sit right at the heart of Christian hope.Is our suffering somehow “redemptive”? What does Paul mean when he says he is “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions”? Tom explains how our suffering participates in Christ’s mission — without adding to the finished work of the cross.Next, they explore the rapture. Is 1 Thessalonians 4 really about believers escaping earth? Or is it about welcoming the returning King as heaven and earth come together?Finally, what does it mean to become “partakers of the divine nature”? Do Christians somehow become divine? Tom unpacks the ancient idea of theosis and shows how the New Testament speaks of transformation without collapsing the distinction between Creator and creature.Suffering. Resurrection. New creation.SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefeFacebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donateGot a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do you get from Church that you cant get from another community? 15.02.2026 31mnt

What do you get from Church that you cant get from another community? Does the church actually offer a unique spiritual protection? And how should Christians navigate salvation, infant baptism, and bad teaching across different denominations? Today on Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle some of the tricky questions facing the church today. They look at why Christian community matters for spiritual health, how salvation is understood across denominations, and how bad teaching can arise, even among well-educated leaders. Along the way, they emphasize accountability, discernment, and the church’s calling to be a place of love, protection, and truth. They look at why Christian community matters for spiritual health, how salvation is understood across denominations, and how bad teaching can arise, even among well-educated leaders. Along the way, they emphasize accountability, discernment, and the church’s calling to be a place of love, protection, and truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Christians serve unjust governments? 08.02.2026 39mnt

Can Christians work within unjust governments? What actually changes with the New Covenant? And what does the future hold for Anglicanism amid global shifts and internal tensions? Today on the podcast, Tom Wright and Mike Bird are answering your questions on faith, politics, and church life. How should Christians think about power and conscience? How did Jesus approach to political authority? How do the Old and New Covenants relate to one another, and why does Anglican liturgy continue to shape Christian faith across cultures? The conversation also addresses the challenges facing the Anglican Communion today including, authority, unity, leadership, and global growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Still waiting... for Jesus' return? 01.02.2026 28mnt

Does your everyday work really matter to God? Why did Jesus have to be fully human and fully divine? And how should Christians live faithfully while waiting for Jesus’ return? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore how ordinary life fits into God’s extraordinary purposes.They discuss how all kinds of work, from manual labor to data analysis, can participate in building God’s kingdom, why the incarnation is essential to Christian salvation, and how patience, hope, and faithful action shape the Christian response to the long wait for Christ’s return. Today's episode challenges the idea that only “spiritual” activities matter and offers a vision of faith rooted in creation, resurrection, and daily obedience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Salvation fair? 25.01.2026 33mnt

Who can be saved? What about those who have never heard the gospel? Do Christians earn rewards in heaven and what does God’s wrath really mean at the cross? Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle some of the most challenging and emotionally charged questions in Christian theology. They explore whether Salvation is limited by geography or history, how God’s justice and mercy relate to those outside the Christian story, and why the New Testament speaks about “rewards in heaven” without turning faith into a transactional system. The conversation also digs into the meaning of God’s wrath at the cross, showing why the cross must be understood as both victory over evil and substitution for humanity. This episode invites listeners to hold together faith, humility, mission, and mystery... without easy answers or simplistic formulas. Questions: 01:36 Who Can Be Saved? 11:30 Are There Rewards in Heaven? 19:55 God’s Wrath and the Cross Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Christian History objectively bad? 19.01.2026 34mnt

Was Christianity bad for the world? How should we talk honestly about the Crusades, colonialism, slavery, sectarian wars — and the church’s failures — without pretending the record is clean? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird respond to three big questions: Is Christianity bad? Tom argues we must acknowledge the church’s worst moments without defensiveness, while also recognizing how Christian moral vision reshaped the conscience of the wider world. Also on today's episode listener's ask whether the “coming of the Son of Man” in Matthew 24 is about Jesus returning, or Jesus being enthroned? Tom points us to Daniel 7, showing why many “coming” passages are actually about vindication, authority, and enthronement rather than a literal end-of-the-world timetable.Finally Mike and Tom look at why isn’t Israel saved? Tom works through Romans 9–11, rejecting replacement theology and explaining Paul’s grief, the “remnant,” the grafting-in image, and the difficult phrase “all Israel will be saved.” Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donateGot a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here (Embed URL: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10)SOCIAL LINKS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/unbelievablefeFacebook: / https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Instagram: / https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: / https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices