Recovering a deeper understanding of the Christian hope - Rated 
What are we waiting for? And what are we going to do about it in the meantime? These are the big questions Tom Wright asks right at the start of this wide-ranging examination of the classic Christian concept of hope. Characteristically thorough, but nevertheless crystal-clear throughout, Wright's book takes a critical look at an idea that, for Christians as much as for anyone else, has become rather `fuzzy'.
But if you thought Christian hope was simply a matter of clocking into heaven when you die (perhaps after a period of dutiful post-death `journeying' - the idea of purgatory being very much in vogue, it seems), Wright may make you think again. Master of the pithy phrase, he draws the reader's attention to "life after `life after death` " - for the ultimate reality is a new heaven and a new earth. And that has massive implications for our lives now: it means we are not `restoring a great painting that's shortly going to be thrown on the fire', or planting roses in a garden about to be bulldozed: what we do now matters for all time and eternity. So we need to take this earth - its beauties, our bodies, justice, God's rule - with the utmost seriousness. And celebrate the person and the event that give it all value and undergird its hope - Jesus and his resurrection. In one of my favourite passages, Wright urges us to celebrate Easter right through to ascension, using the time to take up something new that might help us `wake up in a whole new way' - give us `a sniff of new possibilities, new hopes, new ventures' - and in doing so bring something of the real meaning of Easter.
The author's exploration of our future hope is carefully grounded in an analysis of what the resurrection meant for early Christians, and how they understood the future of hope - so much more than `heaven when you die'. All this, and a quick tour of (a Wright understanding of) heaven, hell, purgatory and the real meaning of the `rapture'.
`Surprised by hope' is a richly rewarding read - though not without its faults. Wright has much to say about the importance of the created order being redeemed and renewed, but he doesn't give many clear pointers as to what that might mean for us now, or refer us to the growing theological literature that does so. And though his stated aim is to set out some practical ways hope can come alive for individuals or communities that lack it, he concentrates less on the practicalities than on digging some really solid foundations from which they can rise. But these are minor blemishes. What endures from the book? A clear call to build for the kingdom - a job of work that draws on a hope for the present and the future, grounded in a past event of eternal importance. Time to stretch that canvas on a new frame, and bed those roses in...
Fantastic: thought provoking, challenging etc etc - Rated 
I haven't quite finished reading it yet, but I have been challenged and stretched in my thinking by every page so far!
I realise that lots that I believe isn't based on a decision which linked my knowledge of scripture or other facts. So much of what I believe to be true is based on the country, time and church I grew up in.
Wright has simply expanded my knowledge. Sometimes causing me to alter my 'beliefs', but more often than not giving me the reasons for my beliefs.
e.g.
why was purgatory introduced as a belief (I didn't agree with purgatory, but hadn't considered why I disagreed with it)
Christianity is about giving my life to (having faith in) Jesus, now I will get into heaven and avoid hell.
Heaven is not on earth and will be a spiritual experience.
Sorry if this review has been less than clear. I would highly recommend this book. It's a cracker!!
|
