Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Week 12: Part III, Chapter 11 — Rethinking Salvation
Read Part III, Chapter 11 of Surprised by Hope. Key passages: Ephesians 1:9–10; Colossians 1:15–20; Romans 8:18–25.
Want the full guide for Surprised by Hope?
Free Week 1 sample in 5 min · $24.99 for all 17 weeks · 7-day refund
Wright argues that 'salvation' in the New Testament is far bigger than the rescue of individual souls — it is the renewal of all things, and our salvation is caught up in that larger project.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Wright contends that Western Christianity has often reduced 'salvation' to the rescue of individual souls from the world. What is the scope of salvation as he reads the New Testament — particularly Ephesians 1:9–10 and Colossians 1:15–20?
2.Colossians 1:20 speaks of God 'reconciling to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven.' Wright takes this cosmic scope seriously. Does this surprise you? How does it change the way you think about what Jesus accomplished on the cross?
3.Wright argues that justification by faith — rightly understood — is not a 'get out of jail free' card for escaping the world but the declaration that enables and empowers the Church to get on with the work of new creation. How do justification and vocation fit together in his argument?
a.What is the danger of treating justification as an end in itself rather than as a beginning?
b.In what ways has your own experience of 'being saved' felt complete, rather than as a launching pad for mission?
You're on Week 12 of 17
Don't lose momentum — get the rest of Surprised by Hope
All 120 questions across 17 weeks, with closing prayers and a downloadable PDF for your group.
One-time purchase · 7-day refund · Covers your whole group