Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, The Resurrection, And The Mission Of The Church

Surprised by Hope by N. T. Wright is a theological work that challenges common Christian assumptions about the afterlife, the resurrection, and the mission of the church. Wright, an Anglican bishop and prolific Christian scholar and commentator, argues for a transformative view of heaven, hell, and the resurrection. In particular, he argues that our ultimate destiny should be conceived not as “life after death” but “life after life after death” (148).

Wright bases his argument on an analysis of biblical history and early Christian writings, particularly the letters of St. Paul and the book of Revelation. According to Wright, early Christians believed that Jesus’ resurrection was a sign that God would transform the world into a “new creation” rather than simply that human beings would survive death. Jesus’ disciples saw resurrection as a phenomenon that affects the body as well as the soul and, consequently, that the life we live on earth is of great importance to the future world that God will create with our cooperation. Wright argues that many modern Christians have lost these foundational beliefs. Recovering them will enable the church to lead a more effective mission in both improving life on earth and leading people to God.