Overview of Ask N.T. Wright Anything
In this episode of Ask N.T. Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird tackle three connected themes: what the Bible means by “rewards in heaven,” how Christians should think about euthanasia and the dignity of life, and what Jesus meant in John 14 by “my Father’s house.” A central thread running through the conversation is Wright’s insistence that the Christian hope is not escape to a disembodied heaven, but resurrection and renewal: God bringing his life, presence, and kingdom into the renewed creation.
Rewards in Heaven and the Christian Hope
Heaven as God’s space, not the final destination
Wright argues that biblical language about storing treasure or reward “in heaven” does not mean believers will spend eternity in a purely spiritual heaven. Instead:
- Heaven is God’s space, where his future purposes are kept safe and ready.
- “Stored up in heaven” means securely preserved by God for later use in the new creation.
- The ultimate Christian hope is resurrection in renewed bodies and life in the new heavens and new earth.
Citizenship in heaven
On Philippians 3:20, Wright says “our citizenship is in heaven” should not be read as “one day we’ll go back there.” Rather:
- Like Roman colonists in the provinces, Christians are meant to be agents of heavenly life on earth.
- Believers live now as representatives of God’s coming kingdom.
- Jesus returns not to whisk people away, but to complete the renewal of creation.
What rewards really mean
Wright affirms the biblical promise that faithful believers will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” but sees this as part of God’s completed new world, not a reward handed out in a disembodied realm.
Euthanasia, Human Dignity, and Medical Ethics
The challenge of modern medicine
The discussion turns to end-of-life care and the care of extremely premature infants. Wright notes that modern medicine has created situations that older generations simply did not face:
- People can now be kept alive far beyond what used to be medically possible.
- Very premature infants can sometimes survive and flourish.
- Families and physicians often face painful uncertainty about when treatment helps and when it only prolongs suffering.
A reverence for life
Wright appeals to reverence for life and suggests a default commitment to preserving life when there is any realistic possibility of recovery or meaningful life.
When letting go may be appropriate
At the same time, he acknowledges that there are situations where continued intervention may be futile:
- If a person is truly beyond recovery, compassionate withdrawal of treatment may be appropriate.
- This is not “giving up,” but recognizing that death may now be the wisest path.
- Christians grieve, but not as those without hope.
Wright’s stance on euthanasia
Wright is strongly opposed to the legalization of euthanasia, warning that:
- “Voluntary” euthanasia can slide into involuntary pressure on vulnerable people.
- Society should not normalize the idea that a life is no longer worth living because it is painful, limited, or unproductive.
- The Christian response is to stand against assisted dying and instead offer care, presence, and hope.
Romans 8 and shared suffering
He frames the pastoral and ethical response in Romans 8 language:
- Creation groans.
- Christians groan with the suffering.
- In prayer, believers bring that pain before God, where the Spirit intercedes.
- The cross shows God’s glory revealed in the midst of suffering, giving context even when no easy answer exists.
John 14 and “My Father’s House”
Not just “heaven”
Responding to a question about John 14:2–4, Wright argues that “my Father’s house” is richer than a reference to heaven alone.
- In John’s Gospel, “my Father’s house” often echoes the temple.
- In the new covenant, the temple theme is fulfilled in the people of God indwelt by the Spirit.
- The church becomes the new dwelling place of God.
“I go to prepare a place for you”
Wright interprets Jesus’ promise as part of the larger movement of the Gospel:
- Jesus’ “going away” points to his death, resurrection, ascension, and the gift of the Spirit.
- The climax of John 14 is verse 23:
“We will come to them and make our home with them.” - The direction of travel is not believers escaping earth, but God coming to dwell with his people.
The meaning of the “rooms”
Wright also challenges the traditional reading of the “many rooms” language:
- The Greek word suggests more of a temporary resting place than a permanent mansion.
- It does not naturally support the popular image of an eternal heavenly house.
- The passage is best read within the wider biblical story of God making his home with humanity.
Temple and Spirit
He connects John 14 to other New Testament texts:
- Ephesians 2: believers are being built into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
- John 20: Jesus’ gift of the Spirit marks the beginning of this indwelling presence.
- John 15: the vine and branches imagery reinforces the same reality—life flowing from Jesus into his people.
Main Takeaways
- The Christian hope is resurrection and new creation, not permanent escape to heaven.
- “Treasure in heaven” means God has secured future blessings for the age to come.
- Christians are called to live now as embassies of heaven’s values on earth.
- On euthanasia, Wright supports life, compassion, and resistance to utilitarian thinking about human worth.
- John 14 is best read as a promise of God’s dwelling with his people through the Spirit, culminating in the renewal of all things.
Closing Note
The episode repeatedly returns to one big idea: the Bible’s end goal is not humans going up to heaven forever, but God coming to dwell with redeemed humanity in a transformed creation. That framework shapes how Wright understands reward, hope, suffering, death, and the church itself.