Surprised by Hope 2
Part 1 | Part 2
The first two chapters of Surprised by Hope offer a critique of modern cultural and Christian attitudes to death, and resurrection. Chapter 2 offers a strong critique of Christian thought and culture.
Death is an enemy, not a friend.
Wright talks about the widespread confusion around death and the afterlife – referring to Christian hymns and poetry. In particular, he criticises the lack of reference to physical resurrection and references to heaven as someplace out there. As opposed to God's Kingdom here.
He refers to the use of Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew's gospel – which really refers to God's kingdom here on earth.
He also discusses Revelation as a description of what is happening in heaven at the present time – and then Rev 21-22 as the grand finale with heaven descending to earth, rather than any other way around.
Referring to universalism, Wright argues that diminishing hell in our theology of the endtimes only makes the reality of heaven smaller – and that this reality is fundemental to the Christian hope for the future.
It is this hope which spurs us onwards into mission – reminds me of this Leadership Journal article I read earlier in the week about preaching so people "want to" rather than "have to". We have to resurrect and reclaim a bright, glorious image of God's future vision and promises if we wish to inspire a new generation of Christians into incarnational mission.
Wright also talks about how our hymns have not played their fundemental part in inciting this vision – referring instead to death as escape and to a "soul resurrection" rather than something which is physical and bodily. It's amazing how many really well known offenders there are that Wright pulls out from the hymn books.
I really strongly believe that "hymns and spiritual songs" are a primary vehicle for inspiring God's people for life and mission. We need to reclaim and write new "songs of the revolution" which will spur us on.
Finally, Wright talks about how our theology of the endtimes needs to be one for which this life and this earth matter. A confused, unbiblical theology has left us with lives now and a planet now which have very little importance compared with the place we will one day "escape" to. This can't be God's will for our lives – and isn't the picture which the bible presents. For Wright, the link between our endtimes theology and why we are here (mission) needs to be re-made.
