N.T. Wright: Our Anxious World Needs Isaiah

Can We Find Hope Without Pretending the World Is Fine?

 

Biblical scholar N. T. Wright joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to explore Isaiah's message for weary Christians, everyday work, and hope beyond politics. Drawing on his book Into the Heart of Isaiah, Wright explains how God's promises to Israel find fulfillment in Jesus and shape the church's calling today. They discuss waiting on God, serving faithfully in secular workplaces, and why churches and businesses alike can become "Towers of Babel." Wright also challenges comparisons between Donald Trump and King Cyrus.

 

02:37 - N.T. Wright and the Old Testament?

06:03 - Reading Isaiah Through Three Lenses

08:51 - Waiting on the Lord in Isaiah 40:31

15:22 - Finding Faith in Delayed Answers

19:11 - Discovering Isaiah's Literary Unity

28:45 - Isaiah's Struggle and Perseverance

33:00 - What Does Isaiah Say About Secular Work?

43:26 - King Cyrus and Political Misappropriation

48:01 - Isaiah's Message of Comfort and Hope

 

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• N.T. Wright's Into the Heart of Isaiah: The Meaning and Message of Isaiah 40–55
• N.T. Wright's The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential
• C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy
• T. S. Eliot's The Four Quartets: A Poem
• "God's Time Is Best" performed by the Netherlands Bach Society

 

Scriptures:

• Isaiah 40–55 (ESV)
• Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
• Isaiah 49:4 (ESV)
• Isaiah 52:7–12 (ESV)
• Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (ESV)
• Isaiah 54 (ESV)
• Isaiah 44:28 - 45:7 (ESV)
• Luke 2:22–38 (ESV)
• John 1:1–18 (ESV)
• John 1 (ESV)
• Genesis 1 (ESV)
• Psalm 8 (ESV)
• Romans 12–13 (ESV)

 

More from N.T. Wright:

• N.T. Wright Online
• N.T. Wright's Speaking engagements
• N.T. Wright's books (Amazon)

 

Past Conversations with N.T. Wright:

• Good Faith ep. 207: N.T. Wright Explains Ephesians: The Church, Christian Nationalism, & the Armor of God
• Good Faith ep. 128: The Unseen Spiritual Powers Shaping Our World (with N.T. Wright)

 

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.