Ask NT Wright Anything

Does the Bible teach gender hierarchy? What did Paul mean by quoting Habakkuk — “the righteous shall live by faith”? And did Paul actually write all the pastoral epistles?
Today on Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom and Mike answer your questions about gender, faith, and authorship in the New Testament. They unpack the Greek word for “submit” in Ephesians, showing how Paul emphasizes mutual submission in Christ, not domination. They then explore the rich meaning of Habakkuk 2:4, where “faith” can point both to God’s faithfulness and human trust. Finally, they address the debate over the pastoral epistles — stylistic differences, possible editorial hands, and why these letters still matter for the church today.
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What do bishops really do, and where does church authority come from? How do you find a faithful church community in a polarised world? And does universalism change how we think about salvation and damnation?
Tom Wright and Mike Bird are looking at questions of leadership, community, and theology in today's episode of Ask NT Wright Anything. They trace the history of bishops and overseers, showing how church authority developed over time, and reflect on the challenge of finding a church home when politics and faith collide. Finally, they dive into the debate over universalism, unpacking how language about heaven and hell has been shaped by tradition and why Christian hope must remain rooted in Jesus’ mission.
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What does Ephesians teach us about God’s purpose for the church? Can we truly trust Scripture if it was passed down through oral tradition? And what role do public confessions of faith play in salvation?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird dig into Tom’s new Book, The Vision of Ephesians, to explore Paul’s vision behind the text, the meaning of Sola Scriptura, and the reliability of the Bible’s transmission in a culture shaped by memory rather than print. 
They also reflect on the resurrection story in Matthew, unpack why public declarations of faith matter, but aren’t the whole story, and remind us that scripture’s authority ultimately points us to Jesus.
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Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠
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What did Jesus mean by “the end of the age”? Does the New Testament teach salvation by faith alone, or do works matter too? And what will happen to the earth in God’s new creation?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle big questions on eschatology, faith, and new creation. They unpack Jesus’ teachings about the temple and the “end of the age,” explain why faith and works are inseparable in the New Testament, and reflect on Paul’s vision of a world renewed when heaven and earth come together. Along the way, they challenge common misunderstandings shaped by Western traditions and offer a hope-filled vision of God’s future.

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Mike Bird and Tom Wright take on three wide-ranging listener questions. First: should Christians work out? Tom reflects on how physical health connects with the life of the soul, and whether Scripture points toward a holistic vision of body and spirit. Next: why is the Bible authoritative? Is it the church’s decision, the content of its teaching, or the work of the Spirit? Tom unpacks how authority is best understood through the story the Scriptures tell. Finally: the unforgivable sin. What does Jesus mean, and how should Christians approach such a troubling saying? Tom offers pastoral guidance shaped by context, hope, and the Spirit’s ongoing work.
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Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠
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Mike Bird and Tom Wright dive into another round of thoughtful listener questions. First: how do you go about choosing a church? Tom lays out wise principles for discerning a community rooted in the gospel, shaped by worship, and committed to mission. Next: catechisms. From centuries-old confessions to modern teaching tools, Tom shares which one has shaped him most and why. Finally: a weighty question on God’s character. Did God create billions of people only to condemn them? Tom wrestles with how Scripture frames judgment, mercy, and the ultimate purpose of creation, offering hope that rests in God’s love and justice.
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Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠
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Mike Bird and Tom Wright take on three big listener questions. First: how do we actually cooperate with the Spirit in God’s plan for new creation? Tom reflects on what it means to anticipate heaven and earth being joined, and how our present faithfulness participates in that future hope. Next: ordination and church leadership. Are we in danger of over-structuring the body of Christ? Drawing from the New Testament and church history, Tom considers why ordination emerged and what it means for today. Finally: egalitarian roots and resurrection hope. Were the earliest churches more like Corinth’s fluid gatherings? What about para-church movements? And in Revelation 20, what sort of resurrection is Peter really speaking about? Tom explores continuity, community, and the call to live as people of the age to come.
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Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠
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Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three big listener questions. First: did Jesus know he was God—and if so, in what sense? Tom explores how Jesus reframes what we mean by “God,” drawing on the Gospels and Philippians 2. Next: contemplative practices. From the Jesus Prayer to the Daily Office, Tom offers gracious guidance on praying in ways that keep Jesus at the centre while avoiding rigid one-size-fits-all rules. Finally: sacred places and “thin” places—can locations carry a memory of God’s presence? What about dark places marked by evil? With stories from Switzerland to Lindisfarne, Tom reflects on holiness, discernment and hope. Send your question at askntwright.com, and consider the bonus series as Mike and Tom journey through Acts.
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Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠
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Why do churches split over theology? What does the Bible really say about covenants and dispensations? Why do some Christians skip sacraments altogether? And can you lose your salvation?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle church divisions, explain the differences between covenant theology and dispensationalism, and explore the Salvation Army’s unusual stance on sacraments. They dig deep into Hebrews 6, wrestling with what it really says about salvation security.
As Tom reminds us, “the heart of doctrine is the inspiration of scripture,” and this conversation shows why careful, contextual biblical interpretation still matters for unity and faith today.
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Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠
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What is the Bible really — and who decided which books belong in it? Can we trust the Gospels if they don’t always agree? And when should tradition shape how we read scripture, and when should we challenge it?
In this Big Bible Episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird dig into big, timeless questions about the canon of scripture, how inspiration works, and why apparent contradictions in the Gospels don’t undermine their truth. They unpack how tradition and fresh interpretation must stay grounded in the historical context of the text, and why the church must always be, as Tom says, “semper reformanda” — always reforming around the Bible’s authority.
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Got a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠
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