N.T. Wright on Reading Scripture with Wonder, God’s Homecoming, and Champagne for Breakfast

Apr 6, 2026

N.T. Wright, Anglican bishop and New Testament scholar known for Surprised by Hope and God’s Homecoming, reflects on balancing parish ministry with scholarship. He talks about reading Scripture within the creation-to-new-creation story. He discusses keeping wonder through deep study, the Psalms as a school of prayer, God coming to dwell with creation, and practical joy for weary leaders.

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ADVICE

Support Students Through Theological Disorientation

Expect a period of disorientation when studying Scripture deeply; avoid forcing those in transition to preach frequently.
Encourage patience: keep questions visible on a mental shelf and revisit them later rather than demand quick answers.

ADVICE

How Pastors Should Accompany Questioning Learners

Walk alongside questioning students: pray with them, read threatening books together, and discuss chapter by chapter.
Don't forbid questions; model that all truth is God's truth and live with unresolved issues patiently.

INSIGHT

Bible Story As God Coming Home

Wright reframes the Bible's grand narrative: it's about God coming to dwell with us, not souls ascending to heaven.
He emphasizes reading Genesis to Revelation as a coherent trajectory toward God's presence and new creation.

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In this conversation, Jason Ballard sits down with N.T. Wright, New Testament scholar, Anglican minister, and longtime teacher, to talk about the grand story of Scripture, the vocation of the scholar-pastor, and the unique hope that sustains weary leaders.

Tom reflects on his early sense of call, his lifelong commitment to holding together pastoral ministry and academic theology, and the deep joy of returning to Scripture over decades without losing wonder. He speaks candidly about the disorientation that can come through serious theological study, and offers wise, pastoral insight for those walking alongside students and pastors in seasons of theological questioning.

Jason and Tom also explore the central burden behind Tom’s recent book God’s Homecoming. They discuss why the biblical story is not ultimately about leaving earth for heaven, but about God coming to dwell with His people and renew all things. From Romans 8 to the Psalms, from the Sermon on the Mount to the road to Emmaus, Tom helps reframe the Christian hope as resurrection, new creation, and the healing of the world under the reign of the risen Christ.

Jason and Tom discuss:

Tom’s early sense of call and the path that led him into both parish ministry and academic theology,
Why the work of pastor and scholar belong together,
How deep study of Scripture can lead not to cynicism, but to renewed wonder,
How pastors can lovingly walk with people through seasons of theological disorientation,
Why learning to preach the whole story of Scripture matters so deeply,
The central vision behind God’s Homecoming and the Bible’s theme of God dwelling with His people,
The Psalms as a lifelong school of prayer,
Why Eastertide should be marked by joy, celebration, and embodied hope,
and a final word of encouragement for discouraged pastors.

This is a rich conversation for pastors, preachers, seminary students, and anyone longing to love Scripture more deeply, live more faithfully in the story of God, and find inspiration in the midst of ministry’s daily rhythms.

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Special thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for making this episode possible. We invite you to explore their ⁠Bible Course⁠ to help your church grow in Scripture engagement.
We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.