Surprised by Hope

1. Christian Hope Transcends "Going to Heaven"

As long as we see Christian hope in terms of “going to heaven,” of a salvation that is essentially away from this world, the two questions are bound to appear as unrelated.

Beyond individual salvation. The common perception of Christian hope as simply "going to heaven when you die" is a limited view. The true Christian hope encompasses a much grander vision: the renewal of all creation, a "new heavens and new earth." This perspective connects our ultimate destiny with our present actions and responsibilities.

Two questions intertwined. The book addresses two questions: What is the ultimate Christian hope? What hope is there for change, rescue, transformation, and new possibilities within the world in the present? These questions are often treated separately, but the author argues they are tightly connected.

Surprising hope. The Christian hope is surprisingly different from what many assume. It offers a coherent and energizing basis for work in today's world. This hope is not just about escaping this world but about transforming it.

2. Resurrection: A Jewish Idea Mutated by Christianity

When the early Christians said that Jesus had risen from the dead, they knew they were saying that something had happened to him that had happened to nobody else and that nobody had expected to happen.

Jewish roots, Christian innovation. The early Christian belief in resurrection was firmly rooted in Jewish thought, not paganism. However, early Christians introduced several key modifications to the Jewish understanding of resurrection.

Seven mutations:

• Unanimity of belief
• Centrality of resurrection
• Transformed physicality
• Resurrection split into two (Jesus's and the general resurrection)
• Collaborative eschatology
• New metaphorical use of resurrection
• Association with messiahship

Revolutionary hope. These mutations transformed the Jewish belief in resurrection into a revolutionary hope that energized the early Christian movement. This hope was not merely about individual survival but about the transformation of the entire cosmos.

3. Easter: History, Faith, and a World Transformed

Historical argument alone cannot force anyone to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, but historical argument is remarkably good at clearing away the undergrowth behind which skepticisms of various sorts have long been hiding.

Eyewitness accounts. The Gospel accounts of Easter, though differing in details, share key features that suggest a genuine historical event. These include the presence of women as primary witnesses, the absence of biblical allusions, and the portrayal of a transformed yet physical Jesus.

Historical evidence. The empty tomb and the encounters with Jesus are the best historical explanation for the rise of Christianity. Alternative explanations, such as cognitive dissonance or spiritual experiences, fail to account for the radical changes in Jewish resurrection belief.

Faith and history. While historical arguments cannot compel belief, they can clear away skepticism and point to the possibility of a transformative event. Faith in Jesus's resurrection transcends but includes historical and scientific knowing.

4. Cosmic Redemption: More Than Individual Salvation

The classic Christian doctrine, therefore, is actually far more powerful and revolutionary than the Platonic one.

Beyond personal salvation. The Christian hope is not limited to individual salvation but extends to the entire cosmos. God's plan is to redeem and renew all of creation, not just to rescue souls from an evil world.

Continuity and discontinuity. The Christian doctrine of resurrection emphasizes both continuity and discontinuity between the present world and the future. What we do in the present matters enormously because it will be transformed and reaffirmed in God's new creation.

Revolutionary doctrine. The robust Jewish and Christian doctrine of the resurrection gives more value, not less, to the present world and to our present bodies. It gives rise not to a meek acquiescence to injustice in the world but to a robust determination to oppose it.

5. Jesus's Ascension: A King's Authority, Not Just a Departure

The ascension demands that we think differently about how the whole cosmos is, so to speak, put together and that we also think differently about the church and about salvation.

Heaven and Earth Intertwined. The ascension of Jesus is not simply his departure from Earth but his enthronement as King of Heaven and Earth. This means that Jesus is both present with us through the Spirit and ruling over all creation.

Relational view of space. The ascension demands a relational view of space, where heaven and earth are not separate locations but interconnected dimensions. Heaven is the control room for Earth, the place from which instructions are given.

Church's role. The church's role is to act as ambassadors of Jesus's kingdom, implementing his authority and transforming the world in accordance with his will. This requires a balance of humility and confidence, recognizing both our limitations and our calling.

6. The Second Coming: Judgment and Hope Intertwined

The English evangelicals gave up believing in the urgent imperative to improve society (such as we find with Wilberforce in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries) about the same time that they gave up believing robustly in resurrection and settled for a disembodied heaven instead.

Beyond Rapture Theology. The second coming of Jesus is not simply about a future rapture or escape from this world. It is about the final unveiling of Jesus's lordship and the establishment of God's justice on Earth.

Judgment and Justice. The second coming involves judgment, but this is not simply about punishment. It is about setting the world right, vindicating the oppressed, and bringing justice to the oppressed.

Present Transformation. The hope of the second coming should inspire us to work for justice and righteousness in the present. We are called to live as citizens of God's kingdom, anticipating the day when his will is done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

7. Bodily Resurrection: The Core of Christian Hope

The early Christian belief in resurrection remains emphatically on the map of first-century Judaism rather than paganism, but from within the Jewish theology of monotheism, election, and eschatology, it opened up a whole new way of seeing history, hope, and hermeneutics.

More than immortality. Bodily resurrection is not simply about the immortality of the soul. It is about the transformation of our entire being, including our physical bodies, into a new and glorious form.

Transformed physicality. The resurrection body will be a transformed body, possessing new properties and capabilities. It will be incorruptible, no longer subject to decay and death.

Model for our future. The resurrection of Jesus serves as the prototype and guarantee of our own future resurrection. We will be raised to new life in bodies like his, sharing in his glory and power.

8. Purgatory, Paradise, and the Communion of Saints

The golden evening brightens in the west; Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest; Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Beyond a three-tiered system. The traditional view of the church divided into triumphant, expectant, and militant is not fully supported by Scripture. All Christians, living and departed, are saints, united in Christ.

Paradise, not purgatory. The Christian dead are in a state of restful happiness, awaiting the final resurrection. There is no biblical basis for the doctrine of purgatory, which suggests a need for further purification after death.

Communion of Saints. We share in the communion of saints with those who have died in Christ. We can pray for and with them, holding them in our love before God.

9. Salvation: Rescue for New Creation, Not Just Escape

If you and I accept the death and resurrection of Jesus as a living, divine, working mechanism in our own lives we shall one day go home to God and find peace.…The Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus himself after his death, offers support and strength for those who call on him.

More than a ticket to heaven. Salvation is not simply about escaping this world and going to heaven when we die. It is about being rescued from the corruption and decay of the present world and being restored to our true humanity.

New Creation. Salvation is about participating in God's new creation, a world of justice, peace, and love. It is about being transformed into agents of God's kingdom, working to bring his will to bear on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Whole-life transformation. Salvation involves the whole person, not just the soul. It involves our bodies, our minds, and our relationships. It is a process of ongoing transformation, as we learn to live in accordance with God's will.

10. Building for the Kingdom: Justice, Beauty, and Evangelism

Therefore, my beloved ones, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.

Justice, beauty, and evangelism. The mission of the church involves three key areas: justice, beauty, and evangelism. These are not separate activities but interconnected aspects of God's kingdom.

Justice. Working for justice involves challenging oppression, advocating for the poor, and seeking to create a more equitable world. It is about reflecting God's righteousness and compassion in our actions.

Beauty. Celebrating beauty involves creating and appreciating art, music, and other forms of creative expression. It is about recognizing the goodness of creation and pointing to the glory of God.

Evangelism. Sharing the gospel involves proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and inviting others to join his kingdom. It is about offering forgiveness, hope, and new life to those who are lost and hurting.

11. Reshaping the Church: Mission-Driven, Not Self-Serving

The point is that they were announcing that in Easter “the resurrection from the dead” had actually begun.

Beyond self-preservation. The church must be reshaped to be mission-driven, not self-serving. This means prioritizing the needs of the world over the comfort and convenience of its members.

Biblical priorities. The church must be grounded in Scripture, allowing the Bible to shape its vision and guide its actions. This requires a commitment to studying and interpreting Scripture in its historical and theological context.

Servant leadership. The church must be led by servant leaders who prioritize the needs of others and empower them to participate in mission. This requires humility, compassion, and a willingness to sacrifice personal gain for the sake of the kingdom.

12. Living the Future: Space, Time, Matter, and Spirituality

The world of space, time, and matter is where real people live, where real communities happen, where difficult decisions are taken, where schools and hospitals bear witness to the “now, already” of the gospel while police and prisons bear witness to the “not yet.”

Reclaiming space. The church must reclaim space for worship, prayer, and community. This involves creating sacred spaces that are open and welcoming to all, and that reflect the beauty and glory of God's creation.

Redeeming time. The church must redeem time by celebrating the Christian year, observing the Sabbath, and creating rhythms of work and rest that honor God. This involves prioritizing relationships, reflection, and renewal over productivity and efficiency.

Transforming matter. The church must transform matter through the sacraments, through acts of service, and through responsible stewardship of the Earth's resources. This involves recognizing the goodness of creation and using it to glorify God and bless others.

Last updated: February 23, 2025