Is the Greek Orthodox Church biblical? Are icons? Was John's Letter written to a woman? And should Christians judge?

Summary of Is the Greek Orthodox Church biblical? Are icons? Was John's Letter written to a woman? And should Christians judge?

by Premier Unbelievable

44m•July 13, 2026
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Overview of Ask NT Wright Anything

This episode of Ask NT Wright Anything with Mike Bird and N. T. Wright tackles three listener questions: whether the Greek Orthodox Church is biblically faithful and how to understand its use of icons and communion boundaries; whether the “elect lady” in 2 John might actually be a named woman; and how Christians should think about judging outsiders versus judging within the church. Throughout, Wright emphasizes that the center of historic Orthodox Christianity is Jesus, that many disagreements are shaped by long-standing church history, and that Christians should engage other traditions with humility and prayer.

Greek Orthodox Church, Communion, and Icons

Is the Greek Orthodox Church biblical?

Wright argues that many Protestant suspicions of Orthodoxy come from cultural distance more than from a careful understanding of Orthodox theology. He suggests that the best way to assess Orthodoxy is to talk directly with Orthodox believers and leaders, since for many of them Jesus is absolutely central.

Communion and church boundaries

He notes that restricted communion is not unique to Orthodoxy:

  • Lutherans often practice strict communion.
  • Catholics have restrictions too.
  • Some Baptist churches limit communion to baptized believers.

So, while the experience may feel exclusionary, it is not unusual across Christian traditions.

Icons and priestly practices

Wright explains icons as a theological and devotional aid rather than idolatry:

  • Icons are “written,” not merely painted, after prayerful preparation.
  • They are meant to be looked through, not worshiped.
  • In Orthodox worship, the church space symbolizes heaven and earth meeting.
  • Icons help worshipers direct attention to the heavenly reality beyond the visible image.

He frames practices like kissing robes, calling clergy “father,” and using incense as part of an embodied liturgical response to God, not as a denial of Christ.

Main takeaway

Wright’s core message is that Orthodox worship should not be dismissed as legalistic or idolatrous without real engagement. The healthiest response is conversation, humility, and prayer across Christian traditions.

The “Elect Lady” in 2 John

The question

A listener asks whether 2 John’s “elect lady” could be a literal named woman rather than a metaphor for a church.

Wright’s response

Wright is skeptical of the new proposal, saying:

  • The traditional reading still makes the most sense.
  • Turning “elect” into a proper name and “lady” into a title is a difficult move.
  • The metaphorical reading fits well with biblical patterns, including female imagery for the church in Revelation.

He does, however, acknowledge that the question is worth asking and that textual interpretation should remain open to careful re-evaluation.

Why the traditional reading still works best

Wright suggests the “chosen/elect lady” may be:

  • A symbolic way of referring to a church community.
  • A prudent, possibly veiled way of addressing a group under pressure or persecution.
  • Comparable to family language: a matriarch and her children.

What this says about women in the early church

Wright says this passage is not the best place to make the case for women’s prominence in early Christianity. He points instead to:

  • Phoebe in Romans 16
  • Mary Magdalene in John 20
  • The many women named in Romans 16

Those texts offer clearer evidence of women’s significant roles.

Judging Outsiders and the Church’s Public Witness

The question

A listener asks whether 1 Corinthians 5 teaches that Christians should reserve judgment for those inside the church and leave outsiders to God.

Wright’s answer

Wright says this is a larger issue than the passage itself. His main points are:

  • Christians should live as witnesses to “the best way to be human.”
  • The church must not retreat into moral isolation from the world.
  • The church should model wisdom, justice, care for the vulnerable, and integrity.

He argues that Christian ethics have historically shaped society for the better, even beyond explicit Christian belief.

Judging outsiders

Wright says Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 5 are a practical instruction for handling a specific church crisis, not a blanket prohibition on all moral evaluation. The church’s role is to:

  • Get its own house in order
  • Bear faithful public witness
  • Trust God with ultimate judgment

Related biblical theme

He links this to Romans 12 and the call not to take vengeance, but to leave judgment to God. The church should avoid a punitive spirit while still proclaiming truth and living faithfully.

Key Takeaways

  • Orthodoxy is not automatically idolatrous or unbiblical; its practices are meant to be Christ-centered and sacramental.
  • Icons are theological windows, not objects of worship.
  • The “elect lady” in 2 John is still most likely a symbolic reference to a church, not a named individual.
  • Women’s significance in the early church is better established from other New Testament texts, especially Romans 16 and John 20.
  • Christians should judge carefully within the church but leave ultimate judgment to God, while still offering a public witness to what human flourishing looks like.

Recommended Posture

  • Engage other Christian traditions with curiosity rather than suspicion.
  • Read Scripture in context, not just proof-texts.
  • Distinguish between church discipline, public ethics, and final judgment.
  • Let prayer be the “great loosener” of tensions between Christian communities.