Category Archives: Heaven

Surprised by Hope: “Salvation”

Most commentaries, heavily influenced by Luther and Calvin, speak of “salvation” as getting to go to heaven when we die. Modern churches often speak of making “Jesus your personal Savior,” as though Jesus could be owned personally. But, of course, … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: The Downpayment and Inheritance

And so we were talking about Surprised by Hope in class on Sunday and someone brought up the idea that the Holy Spirit is a “deposit.” For example — (2 Cor 1:21-22) Now it is God who makes both us … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: A Musical Interlude

Stumbled across this on UTube while looking for a commentary on Isa 65:17 —

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Surprised by Hope: The Identity of the New Jerusalem in Rev 21

Last Sunday, while teaching my class on Surprised by Hope, a student suggested that the new Jerusalem in Rev 21 is the church, reasoning that the church is elsewhere referred to as Jesus’ bride. Jon made the same point in … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: Bishop Wright on the Colbert Report

Bishop Wright being interviewed on the Colbert Report — giving as good as he gets. Not many theologians get to be interviewed in such a forum, and fewer still come out as well.

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Surprised by Hope: Will We Go to Heaven When We Die?

In Rev 21-22, we are not pictured as going to heaven. Rather, God’s dwelling is relocated from heaven to the new earth. The new heaven and new earth Do other authors say the same thing? (2 Pet 3:10-13) But the … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: Paradise

Paradise Strong’s Dictionary says “paradise” derives from the Hebrew pardec, meaning an orchard or forest. It’s a reference back to Eden. This is strongly suggested by– (Rev. 2:7b) To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: The Rapture

The Second Coming is a doctrine we struggle with in the Churches of Christ. Years ago, in the 1940s and thereabouts, the Churches split over premillennialism. Almost all the Churches rejected the doctrine, with Foy Wallace making belief in the … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: The Ascension

In N. T. Wright’s Surprised by Hope, he explains the significance of the ascension of Jesus in understanding the End Times. He notes that while only Luke records the event (twice!), it’s implicit in much of the rest of the … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: What the Whole World Is Waiting For

The First Century Church had no notion of inevitable human progress, nor did the early church consider the creation evil or something to be escaped. Rather, the early church taught a very different view. Wright traces three major themes — … Continue reading

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