After You Believe, by N. T. Wright

Chapter Three Discussion Questions

Question 1:  “And let Human reign.”  Oops!  That hasn’t worked out too well, has it?  Wright offers a tidy description of the intention and goal behind Genesis 1.  We have failed to be the partners in creation that God intended, seeking to glorify our image more than God’s.  “Forget ‘happiness,’ you are called to a throne.  How will you prepare for it?  That is the question of virtue, Christian style.”  Where have we been faithful in allowing others to see/experience God’s image?  Where have we failed to do so?

Question 2:  In this section, Wright makes the connection between Genesis and Revelation, illustrating the Christian hope and expectation of resurrection as the decisive event that shapes our identity and character.  Only by anticipating our new roles as “priests and rulers” will we be able to live and act with the virtue necessary for a full life today.  As always, Wright is marvelously eloquent in his description of the “new heaven and earth” and our roles to come.  What do you imagine this new life to be like for you?  How might your anticipation of this new life dramatically shape your present attitudes and expectations?

Question 3:  Wright makes a direct connection with the Temple of God to our Christian vocation.  The ancient Temple of Israel served as a symbol and a microcosm of God’s reign over all creation.  As a nation, Israel was to function as the Temple to the world.  It didn’t last for long.  Through Jesus, now, such shortcomings are addressed by the cross and his resurrection.  As our final High Priest and Ruler, Jesus completes and transcends the former Temple expression and invites his followers to form the “new Temple,” serving as living stones and becoming a holy priesthood.  How does this magnificent vision of our collective vocation draw you into a deeper relationship with Jesus and his Church?  How might you describe your life, your choices, your action as “holy”…pointing toward the New Temple and its glory?

Question 4:  Wright maps out our role as Christians here: to exercise authority over God’s new world.  Our “reign” flows out of the authority of Jesus, the new Adam…the fully human being.  Through him, we live in “glory”…an active quality which serves as an expression of the world being brought to its intended flourishing state.  Where do you see signs of this glory today?  What is the nature behind these acts of glory?

Such glory is realized through two things: holiness and prayer.  Wright steers us toward Paul’s urging to exercise control over our bodies, lest they interfere with this intended glory.  He also steers us toward holiness, “the learning…of the habits which anticipate the ultimate future.”  This, we anticipate through prayer…a unique language expressive of our relationship with God and Jesus.  As such, prayer reflects our present anticipation of future glory, directed and realized through the Holy Spirit.  How does this understanding of holiness and prayer influence your sense of Christian calling?  How might you make additional room in your life for the further development of each?

Question 5:  Not only is Jesus our Messiah, but we will one day reign with him, sharing in his sovereign rule over his new world.  Again, if we acknowledge our future role with Jesus, how does this shape our thoughts, decisions, and actions today?  Is our present state of living consistent with our future identity and vocation in Christ?  Where is further attention needed to move in this direction?