Overview of Ask NT Wright Anything with Tom Wright and Mike Bird
This episode tackles three listener questions: the difference between kingdom living and secular humanism, practical ways to refresh Koine Greek, and whether Christians can pray to the Holy Spirit. Tom Wright’s answers emphasize the already/not-yet nature of Christian hope, the value of small and steady learning habits, and a Trinitarian understanding of prayer that allows direct invocation of the Spirit.
Kingdom of God vs. Secular Humanism
Main idea
Tom argues that Christianity and secular humanism can look similar in their ethical goals—justice, human flourishing, care for the world—but they differ sharply in their starting point, motivation, and end goal.
Key distinctions
- Shared “middle track” but different destinations: Like trains sharing the same tracks for part of a journey, both systems may promote human flourishing, but they do not begin or end in the same place.
- Christianity fills the “vacuum”: Western Christianity has often overemphasized “going to heaven” and neglected the present calling of believers to be God’s image-bearers in the world.
- Kingdom work is not self-generated: Christians do not build God’s kingdom by human effort alone; they work for the kingdom in response to God’s prior action in Christ.
- Secular humanism lacks eschatological hope: It may aim at improving life now, but it cannot offer the Christian promise of new creation and God’s final renewal of the world.
Tom’s theological emphasis
- The gospel announces that God’s kingdom has already been launched in Jesus.
- Christian faith should recover the biblical call to justice, stewardship, and wise ordering of creation.
- The Christian vision includes the present and the future: faithful action now, within the hope of God’s ultimate renewal.
How to Brush Up on Koine Greek
Main idea
Tom encourages learners to restart Greek gradually, consistently, and with manageable material, rather than trying to do too much too soon.
Practical advice
- Start small and read often: A few verses a day is better than one large weekly session.
- Use easier texts first: Tom recommends beginning with:
- John’s Gospel
- 1 John
- Consider refresher courses: Look for local or online Greek review classes.
- Use interlinear texts cautiously: They can help as a temporary aid, but should not become a permanent crutch.
- Study with others if possible: A small group or weekly check-in can help maintain momentum.
Tom’s broader encouragement
- Greek is worth the effort because it adds depth, nuance, and clarity that translations cannot fully capture.
- He compares reading the New Testament without Greek to trying to play a Beethoven symphony on a mouth organ—possible, but not the full experience.
Can Christians Pray to the Holy Spirit?
Main idea
Yes—Tom says it is appropriate to pray to the Holy Spirit, though prayer should remain rooted in the mystery of the Trinity.
Key points
- The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal “force,” but God himself present and active with believers.
- Traditional Christian prayer often goes:
- to the Father
- through the Son
- in the power of the Spirit
- But that pattern does not exclude direct prayer to the Spirit.
- Invocations like “Come, Holy Spirit” are fully fitting, especially:
- before preaching
- before worship
- before Bible reading and prayer
Theological nuance
- Tom resists being overly legalistic about assigning prayer too rigidly within the Trinity.
- Prayer draws believers into a mystery greater than their own understanding.
- The Holy Spirit helps reshape our desires, understanding, and worship.
Supporting examples
- Tom points to:
- Romans 8
- 1 Corinthians
- John 13–17
- Mike Bird adds that Anglican ordination prayers regularly ask the Holy Spirit to empower ministry.
Notable Takeaways
- Christianity and secular humanism can overlap in ethical concern, but not in worldview.
- The kingdom of God is not human progress by another name; it is God’s new creation breaking into the present.
- Greek is best relearned by steady, small steps, especially using familiar and accessible New Testament books.
- Praying to the Holy Spirit is theologically sound and can be a natural part of Christian devotion and ministry.
Mentioned Resources and Next Steps
For Greek study
- Look for a local refresher course or online Greek class.
- Use John’s Gospel or 1 John as starter texts.
- Consider study aids like:
- interlinear texts
- daily Greek reading emails
- beginner-friendly language tools
For prayer
- Use simple prayers such as:
- “Come, Holy Spirit”
- “Illuminate the sacred page”
- Pray with awareness of the Trinity without trying to over-analyze every distinction while praying.
Coming Up Next
The hosts preview future questions on:
- Biblical theology vs. systematic theology
- Romans 7 and the identity of “the wretched man”
- Good and bad versions of Calvinism