Dear Everyone,
This week I read chapters 5-6 of NT Wright’s book, “Surprised by Hope.” Wright is the author of several different books, many of which focus on St. Paul and the Pauline Epistles. This background informs his writing and he quotes a number of Scripture passages in Chapter 6. I encourage you to look them up and read them for yourself. Scripture reading can be daunting, because one might not know how to find the relevant passages. But the Bible Gateway site is very helpful. It has many different translations and editions of Scripture, in several different languages. They even have an App in the App store. You can enter the passage you are looking for in the search box, and the site will find it for you.
In this week’s reading, Wright continues to stress that the good news of the Resurrection is for all humanity. The Resurrection of Christ sets the stage for the general resurrection of all human beings at the last day. Wright quotes Colossions 1:15-20, which I will also quote here:
“He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in[h] him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in[i] him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.”
As this passage teaches, the hope of the Resurrection isn’t just for human beings. The Resurrection is emblematic of God’s redemption of the entire cosmos – of all creation. Through the Resurrection of Christ, God reconciles himself to all things. Through his redemptive work, God will make all things new. The old heaven and earth will become new – but not through destruction, through redemption.
Although Wright doesn’t make this point explicit, I want to affirm that the redemption of the cosmos includes not only our planet, but also our animals, and our forests and plants. I’m not sure exactly how that will come about in the future, but I believe that it will. And certainly, St. Francis of Assisi has taught us that animals are very much a part of God’s kingdom. It makes sense that they will also be redeemed.
So there is much for us to hope for, especially those of us who have lost our country, our city, our family and friends, our forests, our pets and animals. Some day God will reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven. Indeed, as Wright puts it in Chapter 6, ” What creation needs is neither abandonment nor evolution but rather redemption and renewal; and this is both promised and guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is what the world world is waiting for.”
This week, I will read Chapters 7-9. Please join me.
Peace be with you,
SR
I am honoured to have had all three of my novels appear on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. I was a Semifinalist for Best Author in the 2011 and 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. {
I do believe that we will unite with the loved ones that we lost.
Hope never dies.
Or good in people. Thank you for ypur insights, SR.
Be safe.
Peace be with you,
SR
Just a thought, after rereding this and the original text of Wright.
Will those who dont believe in ressurection and redemption get a chance or will eventually ressurect and get redemption?
In a word, were those just for te believers or for everyone?
Hi Bell’anime,
The doctrine of the general resurrection is for all human beings. So everyone will experience the resurrection of the body some day, including those who believe differently.
Peace, SR
Ich glaube an ein Leben nach dem Tod. Ich werde alle meine Lieben wiedersehen. Glaube und Hoffnung lässt uns unser Leben meistern und Glück empfinden.
Der Glaube auf ein Leben nach dem Tod und die Hoffnung seine verstorbenen Lieben wieder zu sehen, sind ein Teil des Fundaments des Lebens um Glück zu empfinden.
Vielen Dank, Sonja.
SR
Peace be with you, SR. Wright’s book is not an easy reading (at least for me) , but I am trying to read it with you. Your reflections help me a lot to see clearly and find the essence. Although as a Christian I believe in resurrection and redemption, I have never thought about these things in such depth so thank you for the opportunity.
Thanks for reading, Monika.
Peace be with you, SR
I’m still reading along. Peace be with you.
Thanks very much, Kenzie, for joining me.
Peace be with you, SR
This is so encouraging. I appreciate you sharing this book, and your reflections on the reading. Animals have always been a part of my life. I’ve heard people say they have no soul and do not go to Heaven. I have never believed that. They have spirits and they love. God has put so much care into their creation too. Even in insects. I do not necessarily like insects, but I appreciate the colors and designs of them. I’ve always pointed this out to my sons and anyone who will listen to me. We have little scarab beetles on our land that are the most beautiful colors, for example. I like all the insects outside of the house though. 😉 Anyway, I do believe there is a place for everyone and everything in Heaven . I also believe that God has more grace with us than we have for each other. I am so thankful for God’s grace. Thankful for you too S.R.
Thanks so much, Lori.
“God has more grace with us than we have for each other.” I believe this, too, and I’m grateful to you for sharing this with all of us.
Thanks for reading,
SR