Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church

by N.T. Wright
Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Religion and Theology
Technical
  • ID: 2323
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-15
  • ISBN: 9780310889625
  • Publisher: Harperchristian Resources
  • Published: 2010-11-01
  • Reviews: 2

Surprised by Hope challenges the common belief that heaven is the only thing that matters for Christians. N. T. Wright, a renowned Bible scholar, delves into the Scriptures to reveal the breathtaking hope Jesus offers the world, both for the future and the present. This six-session small group Bible study explores questions about heaven, the resurrection, and the impact of the gospel on our daily lives. It provides a clearer vision of the future and God's kingdom at hand today, encouraging readers to live out their faith with purpose and hope. The study guide includes discussion questions, reflections, and personal application ideas to enhance each session. It covers topics such as the nature of heaven, the hope of Jesus' second coming, and the role of the church in spreading hope. With additional background material and between-session studies, this resource is designed to deepen understanding and inspire action, making it a valuable tool for both individual and group study.

Reviews
Matt Dabbs · Matt Dabbs · 2013-10-29
inspirational 4.50

Wright argues that the popular belief about eternal life being about dying and going to heaven is misguided. The book offers a fresh perspective on Christian hope.

Matt Dabbs finds Wright's arguments compelling, particularly his challenge to the popular belief that eternal life is simply about dying and going to heaven. They appreciate the fresh perspective offered on Christian hope and the practical implications it has for living today. The reviewer sees the book as a valuable resource for rethinking traditional views on heaven and the resurrection, making it both inspirational and informative.

Quick quotes

    In this book, Wright argues that the popular belief that eternal life is about dying and being in heaven is completely misguided.

    Wright outlines the present confusion about a Christian's future hope and shows how it is deeply intertwined with how we live today.

    Wright asserts that ...

Modern Reformation · 2010-12-17
thought-provoking 4.00

The book repeats Wright's views on justification and offers a detailed exploration of resurrection and mission. It challenges common Christian beliefs about the afterlife.

The reviewer notes that while the book doesn't delve deeply into Wright's views on justification, it effectively repeats his arguments and offers a comprehensive exploration of resurrection and mission. They find that Wright's challenge to common Christian beliefs about the afterlife is thought-provoking and worthy of discussion. The book is seen as a significant contribution to theological discourse, particularly in its rethinking of heaven and the resurrection.

Quick quotes

    While a review of Surprised by Hope is not the place to interact with Wright's view of justification in any detail, this book repeats the most ...

    Wright makes a number of interesting points about the resurrection that would require a general revision of what most Christians commonly ...

    In Surprised by Hope, Wright makes a number of interesting points about the resurrection that would require a general revision of what most Christians commonly ...

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