Surprised by Hope

What do Christians hope for? To leave this wicked world and go to 'heaven'? For the 'kingdom of God' to grow gradually on earth? What do we mean by the 'resurrection of the body'? And how does all this affect the way we live in the here and now? Tom Wright addresses these questions in this lively and thoroughly biblical book. He describes the persistent confusion about 'the last things' in both Church and world. Then, having explained why Christians believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus himself, he explores the biblical hope for 'new heavens and new earth', and shows how the second coming of Jesus, and the eventual resurrection of the dead, belong within that larger picture. 'Strips away popular sentimentality and medieval imagery, allowing the original biblical writers to speak to us afresh. . . It gives substance to our hope and deserves widespread and careful reading.' Reform 'Builds on C.S. Lewis' succinct defence of the faith and takes it to a new level.' World Magazine 'This book is Tom Wright at his finest.' Rob Bell 'Unmissable.' Krish Kandiah

What do Christians hope for? To leave this wicked world and go to 'heaven'? For the 'kingdom of God' to grow gradually on earth? What do we mean by the 'resurrection of the body'? And how does all this affect the way we live in the here and now? Tom Wright addresses these questions in this lively and thoroughly biblical book. He describes the persistent confusion about 'the last things' in both Church and world. Then, having explained why Christians believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus himself, he explores the biblical hope for 'new heavens and new earth', and shows how the second coming of Jesus, and the eventual resurrection of the dead, belong within that larger picture. 'Strips away popular sentimentality and medieval imagery, allowing the original biblical writers to speak to us afresh. . . It gives substance to our hope and deserves widespread and careful reading.' Reform 'Builds on C.S. Lewis' succinct defence of the faith and takes it to a new level.' World Magazine 'This book is Tom Wright at his finest.' Rob Bell 'Unmissable.' Krish Kandiah

In Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church , top-selling author and Anglican bishop, N.T. Wright tackles the biblical question of what happens after we die and shows how most Christians get it wrong. We do not "go to" heaven; we are resurrected and heaven comes down to earth--a difference that makes all of the difference to how we live on earth. Following N.T. Wright's resonant exploration of a life of faith in Simply Christian , the award-winning author whom Newsweek calls "the world's leading New Testament scholar" takes on one of life's most controversial topics, a matter of life, death, spirituality, and survival for everyone living in the world today.