Overview of "Still waiting... for Jesus' return?" (Premier Unbelievable — Ask NT Wright Anything)
Episode hosts Mike Bird and N. T. (Tom) Wright answer listener questions about vocation (building for the kingdom), the necessity of the incarnation (why Jesus had to be both God and man), and the perceived delay of Jesus’ return. Wright outlines a theology of “building for the kingdom” (ordinary work counted into God’s new creation), defends incarnation as integral to God’s long plan to be present among humanity, and explains the “delay” of the Parousia through inaugurated eschatology, divine patience, and the ongoing mission of the church.
Questions addressed
- How does ordinary, secular work (e.g., data analysis) contribute to “building for the kingdom”? (Yu Jun Chung, Singapore)
- Why did Jesus have to be both God and human for atonement to be effective? (Richard Morris, Tamborine Mountain)
- Why hasn’t Jesus returned after ~2,000 years—does that undermine the promise? (Gene Burke, Oakview, California)
Key points & main takeaways
1) Building for the kingdom — ordinary work matters
- Wright’s distinction: we are "building for the kingdom," not literally building the kingdom now. Analogy: stonemasons carve stones for a cathedral they will never see; God (the master architect) will assemble the work into the new creation.
- Ordinary vocations (including data analysis) contribute by bringing order, beauty and functionality to creation—this is part of humanity’s stewardship mandate (Genesis 1; Psalm 8).
- Paul’s theme (1 Corinthians 15): what is done "in the Lord" is not in vain—humble, honest work done faithfully will be gathered into God’s future consummation.
- Caveat: theological reflection sometimes centers Western middle-class vocations; but the principle applies across a wide range of ordinary work (George Herbert’s idea: sweeping done for God counts).
- Practical encouragement: mundane labor can have a sanctifying effect and prepare structures, systems and peoples for the new creation.
Recommended short takeaway: live your vocation with integrity, service and humility—this is part of God’s kingdom-building work now.
2) Why the incarnation (Jesus both God and human)?
- Wright reads incarnation as built into God’s plan from creation onward: humanity made in God’s image as a prelude to God’s desire to be present among humans (Genesis 1).
- The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants set up a human line through which God would act; the temple language in the Old Testament points to God’s presence among his people—incarnation is the ultimate presence (John’s “temple of his body” reference).
- If the redeemer were merely another human, the New Testament claim that in Jesus we see God’s own love would be weakened; Jesus as God‑man uniquely reveals God’s love and accomplishes cosmic reconciliation.
- Incarnation is not a workaround but the fulfillment of God’s plan to unite himself with creation and to represent humanity truly.
3) The “delay” of Jesus’ return — inaugurated eschatology and mission
- Jesus’ statement that “no one knows the day or the hour” (Mark/Matthew/Luke traditions) is historically authentic and intended—early church would not invent Jesus’ ignorance.
- Many Gospel passages (e.g., Matthew’s handling of the Son of Man language and the “from now on” motif) point to a present inauguration of the kingdom: Jesus’ resurrection and ascension entail that his rule has begun.
- The kingdom is both "already" (begun in Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and the Spirit) and "not yet" (to be consummated at the end). This is inaugurated eschatology.
- The delay is partly divine patience—God gives people time to repent (cf. 2 Peter’s “one day is like a thousand years” phrasing).
- The delay is not evidence that nothing has happened: Jerusalem’s destruction (as Jesus predicted), the spread of the gospel, the church’s works (care for poor, hospitals, schools), and deep cultural shifts illustrate real historical fulfillment and transformation.
- Christians are not idle: the present task is to “build for the kingdom” through mission, care and faithful living while awaiting consummation.
Notable quotes & images
- “We are building for the kingdom” — stonemason metaphor: carving stones for a cathedral someone else will assemble.
- “If somebody is sweeping a room, if that’s done out of service to God then that’s part of the work of God.” (George Herbert invoked)
- Jesus’ teaching: “no one knows the day or the hour” — used to caution against date-setting.
- 2 Peter paraphrase: “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years” — a pastoral call to patience.
Practical implications / action items
- Reframe daily work as kingdom-building: treat tasks with integrity, good stewardship and service.
- Resist speculative date-setting about Christ’s return; focus on faithful presence and mission.
- Engage in visible acts of care (charity, education, health) which historically have been means of kingdom advance.
- Cultivate patience and trust—God’s timeline includes mercy and mission.
Recommended resources mentioned
- Surprised by Hope — N. T. Wright (host’s own book; key themes in episode)
- Work in the Spirit — Miroslav Volf (mentioned by caller)
- The Heavenly Good of Earthly Work — cited by the caller (name used in transcript)
- Biblical passages to consult: Genesis 1; Psalm 8; 2 Samuel 7 (Davidic promise); Matthew 24 / Mark 13 / Luke 21; Acts (early church mission); 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Peter.
(Note: caller-supplied book title and author in the transcript are reproduced as given.)
Episode wrap and context
- Hosts encourage listeners to submit more questions via the show’s website.
- Episode mixes pastoral theology (vocational dignity, patience) with exegetical points (temple language, Son of Man, inaugurated eschatology).
- Practical encouragement: while we await consummation, Christians are to work, serve and witness now.
For a quick takeaway: ordinary faithful work matters—God will gather it into his coming new creation; incarnation is the fulfillment of God’s plan to be present with and redeem humanity; and the “delay” of Christ’s return is understood as part of a present-but-not-yet kingdom that summons Christians to patient, active service.