Overview of Ask NT Write Anything
This episode of Ask NT Write Anything addresses three major theology-and-practice questions: whether Genesis 3:16 establishes patriarchy as God’s ideal, whether Christians are still required to tithe, and whether Oneness Pentecostals can be saved despite rejecting the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. Across all three topics, Tom Wright emphasizes reading individual verses in the context of the whole biblical story, especially creation, new creation, and the character of Jesus.
Is Patriarchy Part of the Fall? (Genesis 3:16)
Main point
Wright argues that Genesis 3:16 should not be read as God’s original design for marriage or male-female relationships. Instead, it reflects what has gone wrong in a fallen world.
Key insights
- Genesis 2 presents man and woman as partners, with the woman as a “helper” in the sense of a strong, fitting counterpart—not a subordinate.
- Genesis 3 describes the distortion of that relationship after sin:
- Men may become domineering.
- Women may become weak or exploited.
- The verse is therefore about brokenness, not divine endorsement of male rule.
Broader biblical frame
Wright says Genesis 3 should be read alongside:
- Genesis 2: the original vocation of mutuality and partnership.
- Ephesians 5: marriage as a reflection of Christ’s self-giving love for the church.
- Revelation 21: the marriage imagery of the new creation, which points toward restored relationship and mutual flourishing.
Practical takeaway
Christians should not use Genesis 3:16 to justify sexism or control. The gospel offers a path beyond fallen patterns into renewed, mutually self-giving relationships.
Should Christians Tithe?
Main point
Wright says tithing is not a simple legal requirement for Christians today, but the principle behind it remains important: generosity and stewardship.
Key insights
- In the Old Testament, tithing supported:
- The temple system
- The priesthood
- Care for the community
- Christians should not just “lift” an Old Testament rule and apply it unchanged to modern life.
- The New Testament does not reissue the tithe as a strict command, but it strongly emphasizes:
- Generous giving
- Care for the poor
- Resistance to greed and idolatry
Modern application
Wright suggests that:
- Christians should aim to be as generous as possible, not merely to meet a fixed minimum.
- Money is spiritually dangerous because it easily becomes an idol.
- Tax systems and public welfare have, in some contexts, taken over some of the social functions once carried by tithes and church-based charity.
Practical takeaway
Tithing can still be a good practice, but Christians should think in terms of generous giving, not a rigid percentage as a universal legal requirement.
Are Oneness Pentecostals Saved Without Believing in the Trinity?
Main point
Wright does say the Trinity is a big and important doctrine, but he stresses that salvation is not about passing a theological exam. Salvation begins with clinging to Jesus.
Key insights
- The New Testament centers on Jesus himself.
- People who came to Jesus for healing were not asked to articulate a full doctrinal formula; they came in faith and were met by grace.
- Wright argues that:
- If someone says, “Jesus, save me,” they are on the right path.
- Faith can begin with “Jesus only,” though it should not end there.
- The New Testament itself contains a real distinction between:
- Jesus and the Father
- Jesus and the Holy Spirit
Trinity and salvation
- Wright resists making salvation depend on mastering technical Trinitarian language.
- At the same time, he insists the New Testament’s portrait of God is inherently triune.
- He compares the Trinity to a house we live in:
- We may not understand every corner immediately,
- but we learn to dwell there and grow into its meaning.
Practical takeaway
Oneness believers who truly trust and follow Jesus are not outside God’s mercy simply because they lack full Trinitarian precision. However, honest engagement with Scripture will naturally lead believers toward a Trinitarian understanding of God.
Final Takeaways
- Genesis 3:16 describes the corruption of relationships after the fall, not God’s ideal for marriage.
- Tithing is not presented in the New Testament as a strict rule, but Christian giving should be generous and intentional.
- The Trinity matters deeply, but salvation is not based on perfect doctrinal performance; it begins with faith in Jesus and grows into fuller understanding.
Episode Tone and Approach
- The hosts repeatedly caution against reading isolated verses in an overly rigid or ideological way.
- Wright encourages listeners to:
- read Scripture in context,
- consult good commentaries,
- and keep the larger biblical story in view.
- The overall pastoral tone is generous but clear: theology matters, but Jesus is the center.