Surprised by Stephen Colbert June 25, 2008
Posted by Zack in Uncategorized , trackbackThis is too much. This is awesome. Once again, cable takes me by surprise, because I don’t have it.
Colbert had on theologian N.T. Wright! Wright is probably the most influential theologian behind this rising Christian movement who is actively publishing. His new book is called Surprised by Hope. In it, he lays out a very different picture of Heaven and the resurrection (not just Jesus’, but everyones!). And he bases it all in a Biblical argument that even fundamentalists have a hard time disputing. (They still dispute it though.)
Wright is someone who’s cleared the way for a whole lot of churches to start talking about building Heaven here on earth instead of just waiting to die to get there. He also clears the way for a picture of Heaven in which Jesus redeems all of creation. In other words, yes you go to Heaven even if you’re not a believer!
I’m amazed that Colbert would have Wright on — and that he even knows who he is let along know something about the debate Wright is at the center of (which he seems to from his questions).
Tag: N.T. Wright
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I’m not that surprised - Stephen Colbert is pretty much the most on-top-of-it commentator out there these days, I have to say. But it is certainly wonderful to see!
Colbert is, from what I hear, an active Catholic. So his tradition is a cousin to that of Wright’s. Thus an explanation, perhaps, for his knowledge of Wright’s work. I am a devout Colbert Report watcher of late, so I saw this episode and enjoyed it greatly.
Heh, that’s a good find. Colbert did seem to let on that he knew a little about the subject. I thought that was pretty interesting. Even amidst the joking, there was a hint of seriousness. Wright did a pretty good job of staying flexible (and sometimes even comical, too). Thanks for sharing that.
“In other words, yes you go to Heaven even if you’re not a believer!”
I’m not sure that this is a correct interpretation of Wright’s theology. He is firmly in the evangelical camp. One of the blogs on your blog-roll “Kingdom People” has an interview with Wright in which he speaks directly to this issue. You can follow the link to that interview: http://trevinwax.com/2007/11/18/wright-on-evangelism/
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I don’t have the money to buy the book right now, but I was curious… by stating, “yes you go to Heaven even if you’re not a believer!” what does that mean exactly? That everyone goes to heaven? Or more like the Romans 2 statement that we are defended by our conscience and, if we live according to that conscience, God will judge us accordingly?
What do you do with people who live “good” lives but still rejected Christianity?
Hebrews 1
In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
The heavens and earth will be rolled up and discarded, in the way that clothes are changed.
The old clothes that have perished are thrown away, and replaced with new clothes.
The old clothes are rolled up and thrown away.
Wright is very good on explaining this ‘clothing’ metaphor, which many people up to now have failed to understand.