Is this world a garden or a prison? My answer is going to inform everything I do. If you're right Jesus believed it was the former. The Church teaches it is the latter. The cognitive dissonance that generates is almost physically painful.
It is surprisingly comforting to remind the people that this world is NOT paradise. In fact, Jesus promises us that the world will be difficult: but he will walk with us through it. It helps to share this with anyone suffering grief, physical pain, or war.
Thank you for this. I want to imagine myself a light, walking around for people to see God. Perhaps if I also imagine that light dimming or going out when I say bad things, judge someone, or do something that I know is unkind or not what Jesus would do, it may help me be more aware of my actions.
So, so true! Jesus did not command us to perfect our eschatology. In fact he told us it wasn't possible. We need to focus on love and the Great Commission.
What a wonderful explanation of that scripture!! I have never heard it that way & it is extraordinary AND revealing!! Thank you sir for your insight!! Let's go out & give the people Hope!!!❤❤❤❤🎉
Very true. So many Christians want to look good and make a small paradise on earth for their family, rather than do the dirty work of bringing salt and light to a muddy world. For example, more of us should be adopting troubled children, and sharing the gospel with the Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs who are flooding the West. (Both of which require intentional choices and training.)
Thank you for the context of this teaching from Jesus. I have always understood it as a general appeal to His followers, but it makes more sense that it was a specific charge/reminder to Israel of God's original intent for His people to be Holy as He is Holy... and that charge remains on His people today.
I am amazed that he says You ARE the light and salt of the earth. Not that you can be, not that you should be, but that you ARE. It reminds me of Gideon. I have the image of him afraid and hiding in the wine press and the angel coming to him and addressing him as “mighty warrior”. The things we are praying for are often way above our pay grade. We have no idea how resolution can come to these situations. But God is in control and we ARE his mighty warriors. Today walk with the King. He has great confidence in us.
Thank you Bishop Wright for your explanation of Matt 5:13 which helped me see the connections between - 1 Tim 6:18-19, Matt 6:19-21 and 7:21. God is good:)🙏
Thank you Dr Wright for this reminder that we are to be a preservative for the world by spreading the light of the gospel to anyone with ears to hear. The gospel is the good news of the life, death, burial, resurrection, and eventual, return of Jesus. As apostle Paul stated over and over, the gospel is all about Jesus, not about me. Our life purpose is this simple, yet so deeply profound that we can spend a lifetime fulfilling it.
Thank you, once again Tom, for a reminder to LIVE OUT our faith. It does little good to memorize a scripture or passage which we don't intend to act our in our lives. Your teachings fuel my passion for know and follow Jesus - in deed and in truth! 🦅
It is clearly evident, through this short video as well as many other writings and dialogues Tom, that you are foremost a person of prayer. You are one who longs to know the “the Father’s heart” (Matt. 22:29), and in this context you “diligently search the Scriptures”. Thank you for your thoughtful, scholarly, and gracious insights. And thank you for being the first to say that you most certainly don’t have all the answers. Even Paul said this (Romans 11:33)! I find your insights a true breath of fresh air. Blessings.
Your words are very kind. While N.T. Wright does not personally monitor this channel, we're grateful for your encouraging support and reflections. Blessings to you as well! --NTW Online Team
There are many videos on RU-vid of Bible explanations. Most of them are no good. Yours is not one of those. Thank you sir. I'm saying thank you because you explained from the viewpoint of the context of the statement and you were spot on.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We're always encouraged to hear that historical context is appreciated and its importance understood in Biblical study. Blessings to you! --NTW Online Team
My favorite Christian cousin, as a Latter-day Saint, I love your lifelong humility as you prayerfully search the scriptures for answers thru the Holy Ghost. “If all men had been, and were, and ever would be like unto (N. T. Wright), behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. The sermon on the mount, as has been said, is more than a sermon. Indeed, it doesn’t read like a sermon. Just stand at a podium and give these words as a speech, and you will find it gives no introduction, no main points nor any conclusion. Isn’t it rather more like a temple ordinance? Jesus, sits, or abides at the top of the mountain, as in the temple Holy of Holies, and gives more than a graduation speech, but offers the words of life that we, children of Israel, covenant to obey, and God promises to so bless us. It may be just one of many throwaway speeches but I am inclined to believe it has eternal significance to all disciples of Christ.
👑Genesis 12:3 ❤ Matthew 25 31-46 👑 💒 Christians speak of scriptures as being this or that as a salvation 🛐 issue, here 👑 Jesus made this a salvation 🛐 issue Himself in Matthew 25 31-46 🇮🇱 😊 No teasing out scriptures or extrapolations needed, it's as plain as the Sun shine 😊 👑 Jesus made this a salvation 🛐 issue in Matthew 25 31-46 🇮🇱 and before He returns I'd recommend ministering the same love ❤️ God bless you on your journey ❤
Today I hear that the important word in this passage is “are.” Jesus is telling the Jews then, and us now, You (already) are salt and light. That’s our vocation. And like salt and light we just need to “be.” Salt and light don’t have to strive to be what they are. As you say at the beginning, I’ve always regarded the Beatitudes as things to strive for in my own strength. Here Jesus us saying in one sense, Happy are those who are (already) peacemakers, etc. as salt and light we need to be present in the world.
God gave his covenant (way, law, nomos) to the children of Israel because that is how He wanted them to live; in trust/faith/righteousness/justification. As a Christian I understand Jesus is the ultimate justification for mankind.
J.I. Packer has a great line: N T Wright foregrounds what the Bible backgrounds, and backgrounds what the Bible foregrounds but Wright does more than that; he denies a crucial component of justification, namely imputation. So, in answer to your question, yes-in denying imputation, Wright is preaching another gospel.
I'm not sure that is exactly his position. I think he is pointing to other aspects of the significance of Christ's crucifixion. For example, if one reads Hebrews 2:10, you will find that there is a cosmic justice aspect to the crucifixion. Because God created the world, it was fitting that he suffer with it. It is not about individual substitutionary atonement there.
According to Acts timeline there were no gentiles called into the new covenant for about 6 years. The stoning of Stephen, Cornelius and Agrippa's death.
