Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Week 3: Part I, Chapter 2 — The Resurrection of Jesus
Read Part I, Chapter 2 of Surprised by Hope. Key passages: 1 Corinthians 15:1–28; Luke 24; John 20–21.
Previewing Week 3 of Surprised by Hope
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 17-week guide when you’re ready.
Wright argues that the resurrection of Jesus was not a resuscitation, not a metaphor, and not a vision — it was a real, bodily event that broke open history and demands an explanation.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Wright examines the empty tomb and the appearances of the risen Jesus and argues that neither alone is sufficient to explain the origin of early Christian resurrection belief — you need both. Why does each element on its own fall short?
2.Wright argues that the resurrection accounts in the Gospels are strikingly unlike what we would expect if they had been invented or embellished over time — they are, he says, 'remarkably restrained.' What features of the Gospel accounts support this claim? Does this argument persuade you?
3.One of Wright's key arguments is that within the Judaism of Jesus's day, 'resurrection' was always corporate and future — it would happen to all the righteous dead at the end of time. The claim that one person had already been resurrected in the middle of history was, therefore, completely unprecedented. Why is this significant?
a.What does this 'early' resurrection tell us about Jesus's identity and status?
b.What does it tell us about the nature of the 'end' that has already begun?