Podcast · Devotional & Spiritual

Ask NT Wright Anything

by Premier Unbelievable · English · Devotional & Spiritual

The weekly podcast that connects you to NT (Tom) Wright’s thought and theology by allowing you to ask the questions. Produced by Premier Unbelievable and hosted by Mike Bird. Want more from Tom and Mike? Subscribe for bonus episodes at https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 41 min
Latest: 11 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026 · 37 minNew

Is Christianity making a comeback? Ananias & Sapphira and church unity

Is Christianity really experiencing a “quiet revival” in Britain? Tom Wright responds to reports of increased interest in church and asks what genuine spiritual revival should look like. Tom and Mike Bird also tackle the disturbing story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Why were they struck dead for lying, and what does the passage tell us about holiness, judgement and the presence of God? Finally, they turn to Jesus’ prayer that his followers “may be one”. Tom reflects on decades of ecumenical conversation and explains why Christian unity is not an optional extra but central to the…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

5 Oct 2026 · 42 min
N.T. Wright on church councils, biblical righteousness and Jesus’ Ascension
Can Christians challenge the decisions of historic church councils? What did Paul mean by the “righteousness of God”? And what actually happened when Jesus ascended into heaven?Tom Wright joins Mike Bird to explore three major questions from listeners.Tom explains why the great Christian creeds remain important while insisting that Scripture, not any theological system, has primary authority. He then unpacks the rich biblical meaning of righteousness, from Abraham and Phinehas to Romans and 2 Corinthians, and explains why no single English translation captures everything the biblical words…
28 Sep 2026 · 34 min
Is the Rapture really biblical? Apostles, prophets and sacraments
Is the Rapture really biblical? And if friends or family strongly believe in it, should you try to change their minds? Tom Wright and Mike Bird revisit one of the most debated ideas in modern Christian eschatology. Tom explains why he believes 1 Thessalonians 4 has often been misunderstood, and why the New Testament points instead towards the return of Jesus, resurrection, renewed creation and Christ coming “to rescue, to rule, to reign”. They also ask whether apostles and prophets still exist today, with Tom warning against spiritual authority becoming authoritarianism. Plus, does it matter…
21 Sep 2026 · 45 min
Why would God tell Israel to kill its enemies? The Book of Acts and the missing end of Mark's Gospel
How can the God revealed in Jesus command acts of violence in the Old Testament? And what should Christians do with some of the Bible’s most troubling passages?Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three major biblical puzzles in today's episode. First, why does Mark’s Gospel appear to end so abruptly, with the women fleeing the empty tomb in fear? Tom explains why he believes Mark’s original ending — and perhaps even its original beginning — may have been lost.Then, what is the book of Acts actually for? Is it simply a history of the early church or a manual for mission and church planting? Tom…
14 Sep 2026 · 41 min
Should I feel guilty for not going into ministry? Baptism, calling and Adam & Eve
What does Jesus mean when he says we must be “born of water and Spirit”? Should Christians feel guilty if they pursue an ordinary career rather than full-time ministry? And why does Paul seem to blame Adam rather than Eve for the entrance of sin?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird begin with John 3 and the relationship between baptism, the Holy Spirit and new birth. Tom places Jesus’ words within the wider biblical story of creation, Exodus and the renewal of God’s people. Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show…
7 Sep 2026 · 48 min
Will God Burn up the Earth? Which Anglican Church is right for me, and does Genesis 1 leave room for the "gap theory"?
Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three big questions: Which Anglican tradition is most faithful? Does Genesis 1 leave room for the “gap theory”? And does 2 Peter really teach that the earth will be destroyed by fire?They explore church tradition and biblical faithfulness, creation and Genesis, and whether the Christian hope is the destruction or renewal of the world.You may also like: What happens at the End of the Age? https://www.premierunbelievable.com/ask-nt-wright-anything/what-happens-at-the-end-of-the-age/20167.article What’s the fine print on the Second…
31 Aug 2026 · 36 min
Are people basically 'good' or 'evil'? Who was the 'beloved' disciple? And is the Sermon on the Mount legalism?
Are people basically good, or fundamentally sinful? Did Jesus teach salvation by works in the Sermon on the Mount? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore what the Bible really says about human nature, arguing that our primary identity is not simply "good" or "bad" but people created for God's vocation. They also examine one of the New Testament's enduring mysteries, the identity of the "beloved disciple" in John's Gospel, and ask whether we can know who he really was. Finally, Tom tackles a common misunderstanding of the Sermon on the Mount, explaining…
24 Aug 2026 · 41 min
What if I desire other things more than God? Can I work in war and weaponry? Where did Pilate judge Jesus?
What if you genuinely want to love God, but find yourself more excited by your work, hobbies or a good novel than by reading the Bible? Does that mean something is wrong with your faith?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird respond to a listener wrestling with fear, assurance and what it really means to desire God. Tom offers a refreshingly different way of thinking about prayer, Scripture and ordinary human passions — including why loving your vocation or even enjoying a crime novel need not compete with loving God.They also tackle the difficult ethical…
17 Aug 2026 · 40 min
Jesus as the glory of God, Do we need to rethink the Trinity, being a force for theological sanity in your Church
How does Jesus reveal the glory of God? Is the Trinity really the best way to understand Father, Son and Holy Spirit? And what should you do when you think your church is getting the Bible wrong?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore how the New Testament reveals God’s glory through Jesus and whether Christians need a better way of explaining the Trinity. Tom argues that rather than beginning with an abstract idea of God and trying to fit Jesus into it, we should look at Jesus to discover what God is truly like.They also respond to a listener who feels…
10 Aug 2026 · 46 min
What happens when you die? Near-death experiences, Jesus' sonship and Satan's temptation
Are near-death experiences genuine glimpses of heaven and hell? Has Jesus always been the Son of God? And could Satan have prevented him from completing his mission? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore three substantial questions about death, the identity of Jesus and spiritual evil.Tom explains why Christians should remain open but cautious about near-death experiences, before tracing the biblical meaning of “Son of God,” from Israel and the Davidic king to the New Testament’s extraordinary claim that God’s eternal Son became human in Jesus. Finally…
3 Aug 2026 · 31 min
The Bible and self-forgiveness? The Ascension and were the Samaritans really Israelites?
Can you forgive yourself? Were the Samaritans really Israelites? And what actually happened at Jesus' Ascension?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird answer three thoughtful listener questions about forgiveness, biblical history and one of the most overlooked events in the life of Jesus. Along the way they explore healing from guilt, the relationship between Jews and Samaritans, and why the Ascension is central to understanding Christ's reign today.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at…
27 Jul 2026 · 26 min
Where do Christians go when they die? Jesus kept healing on the Sabbath? And is 'faith' enough?
Can someone else's faith help bring us to Jesus? What really happens after Christians die? And why did Jesus keep healing people on the Sabbath?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird answer three thoughtful listener questions about faith, death and the meaning of Jesus' Sabbath miracles. Along the way they explore corporate faith, the Christian hope of resurrection, and how Jesus fulfils Israel's vision of God's new creation.Books mentioned in today's episode:God's Homecoming https://amzn.to/4pkV2OLFor All The Saints https://amzn.to/3T1kJaVSupport & Subscribe👉…
20 Jul 2026 · 42 min
Why was Jesus so cryptic? Is divorce ever OK? Does Isaiah 53 predict Jesus? And which theologian is hardest to understand?
Why did Jesus often speak in riddles instead of plain language? What should Christians make of divorce in light of Jesus' teaching? And how should we understand Old Testament prophecies about Christ?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore three challenging questions that sit at the intersection of biblical interpretation and pastoral wisdom.Tom explains why Jesus' teaching often appeared mysterious, showing how his parables confronted first-century expectations about God's kingdom rather than simply hiding the truth. He then offers a thoughtful and…
13 Jul 2026 · 45 min
Is the Greek Orthodox Church biblical? Are icons? Was John's Letter written to a woman? And should Christians judge?
Description: Is the Greek Orthodox Church biblical? Should Christians judge non-Christians? And who exactly was the mysterious "elect lady" in 2 John?In this episode, Tom Wright answers three thought-provoking questions about church history, biblical interpretation and how Christians should engage with the wider world.Tom explains why Protestants often misunderstand the Orthodox tradition, explores one of the New Testament's most debated greetings, and reflects on Paul's teaching about judgment, holiness and Christian witness.👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show…
6 Jul 2026 · 35 min
What Did Jesus Mean By "My Father's House"? How should we think about euthanasia, and what are the rewards of Heaven?
What does the Bible really say about heaven, eternal rewards, and the future God has prepared for his people?First, they discuss the meaning of "treasures in heaven" and heavenly rewards. If the Christian hope is ultimately resurrection and new creation, why does the New Testament speak about rewards stored in heaven? Tom explains how heaven functions in Scripture as God's space, where future realities are kept safe until the day they are revealed.Together they address a deeply personal question from a physician about medical ethics, end-of-life care, and the value of human life. How should…
29 Jun 2026 · 51 min
Jesus and God's wrath, was the Holy Spirit in the OT and did God really command violence?
How do we make sense of some of the Bible's most difficult passages?In this episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird discuss Jesus and divine judgment, the role of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture, and the troubling problem of violence in the Old Testament.These are not easy questions, but they are questions many Christians wrestle with. Tom explores them through the lenses of Scripture, history, and the story of God's covenant purposes.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡❓Got a question for Tom?…
22 Jun 2026 · 44 min
Are Catholics saved? Is the Bible missing books? And will there be a third temple?
Did the Church leave books out of the Bible? Are Roman Catholics truly saved? And should Christians support rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem?In this episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird address three major questions about Scripture, salvation, and biblical prophecy.Tom explains how the biblical canon developed, why books like Enoch and Jubilees matter historically, and why Christians can have confidence in the core books of Scripture.They also discuss the doctrine of justification by faith and whether disagreements between Protestants and Catholics should lead Christians to question one…
15 Jun 2026 · 40 min
More than marriage, how to find a true biblical lens and what's Tom's next book?
In today's podcast Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle listeners’ questions on marriage, biblical interpretation and Tom’s future writing projects. Tom explains why, in Simply Jesus, he describes the union of man and woman as a signpost to the coming together of heaven and earth, drawing on Genesis, John 2, Ephesians 5 and Revelation 21. He also reflects on how marriage points beyond itself to God’s ultimate new creation. Mike and Tom then explore how Christians can develop a genuinely biblical lens while recognising the cultural assumptions that shape every reader.…
8 Jun 2026 · 35 min
Is Patriarchy part of the fall? Should Christians tithe? And are Oneness Pentecostals saved if they don't believe in the Trinity?
What does Genesis really mean when it says a woman’s “desire will be for your husband and he shall rule over you"? Should Christians still tithe today? And are Oneness Pentecostals outside historic Christianity?In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three major theological questions shaping modern Christianity.Together they explore Genesis 3:16 and whether the fall introduced distorted power dynamics into marriage. Next, the conversation turns to tithing: was the Old Testament tithe a permanent command for Christians, or part of Israel’s covenant life? Tom…
1 Jun 2026 · 28 min
Has the Gospel reached the 'Ends of the Earth'? Where's my transformation? Will my children be with me into eternity?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three big listener questions that sit at the crossroads of biblical interpretation and pastoral care.First, they explore what Jesus meant when he said the gospel must be preached to “the ends of the earth” in Matthew 24:14, and how that relates to Acts 1:8, Paul’s mission to Spain, and the fall of Jerusalem. Is global evangelisation a trigger for the Second Coming, or have we misunderstood Jesus’ words?Next, they address the painful experience of not feeling spiritually transformed. Drawing on Romans, Galatians, and 2…
25 May 2026 · 43 min
Biblical Theology vs Systematic Theology? Romans 7 explained and whether Calvinism is Biblical?
Another three thorny questions tackled with clarity and depth by Tom Wright and Mike Bird this week. Grab a coffee and prepare for vintage NT Wright. First, they explore the difference between biblical theology and systematic theology, asking when each is most useful and why keeping close to the biblical text really matters. Next, Tom unpacks the much-debated “I” the "Wretched Man" in Romans 7, explaining why Paul is not simply describing the ordinary Christian life but telling a bigger story about Israel, Torah and the problem of sin. Finally, they tackle Calvinism, predestination, the five…
18 May 2026 · 30 min
Kingdom of Heaven vs. Secular Humanism; How to brush up on Greek, and should we pray to the Holy Spirit?
Is building God’s kingdom basically the same thing as secular humanism? Should Christians pray directly to the Holy Spirit? And how do you relearn biblical Greek after years away from it?In this episode, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore the deep difference between Christian hope and secular progress, giving practical advice for recovering New Testament Greek, and explain how the Trinity shapes Christian prayer.A thoughtful conversation about theology, language, and the presence of God.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at…
11 May 2026 · 41 min
MAGA, Meaning and the End Times
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Mike Bird and Tom Wright tackle three very different but deeply connected questions about faithfulness in a confused age today. First, they address the growing entanglement of MAGA politics, nationalism and parts of white evangelical culture, asking how Christians can resist ideological capture and recover the way of Jesus. They then respond pastorally to a listener wrestling with chronic illness, suffering and the search for meaning, offering compassion, prayer and a cross-shaped vision of purpose. Finally, they explore how to teach a more biblical…
4 May 2026 · 50 min
Can you clarify substitutional atonement, Tom? Which OT should Christians use? Northern tribes question
What happened to the “lost tribes” of Israel, and do they matter today?In this episode, Tom Wright explores the mystery of Israel’s northern tribes, the meaning of exile, and how the New Testament reframes restoration.They also dive into the debate around penal substitution, asking whether it truly reflects the biblical story. Finally, Mike and Tom tackle a practical question: which Old Testament should Christians read: the Hebrew Bible or the Septuagint? We hope you find today's episode a deep and clarifying episode on Scripture, history, and theology.Support & Subscribe👉 Support…
27 Apr 2026 · 35 min
Does God repent? What does ekklesia mean? Talking about biblical words and what they mean?
What does the Bible really mean by “soul” and “spirit”? Are they the same thing, or something very different?In this episode, Tom Wright unpacks key biblical words like psuchē, pneuma, and ekklesia, showing how modern misunderstandings can distort Christian theology.They also tackle a profound question: Does God “repent”? How do we reconcile passages where God seems to change his mind with the idea that God is unchanging?This episode is all about getting back to Scripture and avoiding the confusion that comes from some biblical terms and words.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking…
20 Apr 2026 · 37 min
Who are Abraham's children? Did Jesus make mistakes? Is apostolic succession essential to the Church's faithfulness?
Recorded in the Anglican calendar's Holy Week this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Michael Bird and Tom Wright begin with Easter traditions, from Bach’s St Matthew Passion to smashing chocolate Humpty Dumpty eggs. Then they tackle three rich questions. First: did Paul “convert” from Judaism to Christianity, or did his encounter with Jesus radically reframe his identity as a child of Abraham and member of God’s covenant people? Next: did Jesus make mistakes? Tom reflects on Hebrews, Gethsemane, and the Syrophoenician woman to explore what it means that Jesus “learned obedience” without…
13 Apr 2026 · 41 min
Can I attend Catholic church? Jews vs Judeans in translation? Why did Paul circumcise Timothy but not Titus?
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright responds to listener questions about attending churches across denominational lines, the meaning of key biblical terms, and puzzling moments in the life of the Apostle Paul.Tom explores whether Protestants can attend Catholic churches, reflecting on how Christian unity should be lived out despite real theological differences. He also explains why some Bible translations use “Judeans” instead of “Jews,” and why this matters for understanding the New Testament without importing modern assumptions.Finally, Tom tackles a challenging question…
6 Apr 2026 · 43 min
Miscarriage, the Eucharist & did all the biblical characters really exist?
In this deeply pastoral episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle some of the most sensitive and difficult questions Christians face.How should believers respond when heartfelt prayers seem unanswered, especially in the tragedy of miscarriage and pregnancy loss? Tom reflects on grief, prayer, and the mysterious work of the Spirit in the midst of suffering.The conversation then turns to the Eucharist: what really happens in Holy Communion? Is it merely symbolic, or does something deeper occur when the church shares the bread and wine?Finally, Tom and Mike explore a…
30 Mar 2026 · 37 min
Why did Jesus turn water into wine? Did Paul invent Christianity? Are Christian hymns wrong? NT Wright Explains
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright answers listener questions about John’s Gospel, worship music, and the relationship between Jesus and Paul.Tom explains how the miracle at Cana reveals Jesus’ glory and points forward to the cross. He also reflects on the theology embedded in Christian hymnody and why some lyrics may need updating. Finally, he addresses the long-standing claim that Paul distorted Jesus’ message and shows how Paul’s mission actually grows directly out of Jesus’ kingdom movement.Support & Subscribe👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the…
23 Mar 2026 · 48 min
Women in ministry, Church unity & Paul’s “End of the World” Ask NT Wright
In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird explore three significant questions facing the church today:• Can Christians remain in a church that disagrees about women in leadership?• How can the global church move toward deeper unity across traditions?• Did the Apostle Paul wrongly expect Jesus to return within his lifetime?Tom reflects on the revolutionary role of women in the early church, the biblical vision of unity in Ephesians, and why Paul’s language about the Lord’s return has often been misunderstood.Rather than predicting the end of the world, Tom explains…

About Ask NT Wright Anything

Ask NT Wright Anything is a English devotional & spiritual podcast from Premier Unbelievable. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Premier Unbelievable
Language: English
Category: Devotional & Spiritual
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 41 min
Latest episode: 11 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1441656192

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