{"product_id":"surprised-by-hope-by-tom-wright-9780281064779","title":"Surprised by Hope","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat do Christians hope for? To leave this wicked world and go to \u003cem\u003eheaven\u003c\/em\u003e? For the \u003cem\u003ekingdom of God\u003c\/em\u003e to grow gradually on earth?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat do we mean by the \u003cem\u003eresurrection of the body\u003c\/em\u003e, and how does that fit with the popular image of sitting on clouds playing harps? And how does all this affect the way we live in the here and now?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTom Wright, one of our leading theologians, addresses these questions in this provocative and wide-ranging new book. He outlines the present confusion about future hope in both church and world. Then, having explained why Christians believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus himself, he explores the biblical hope for \u003cem\u003enew heavens and new earth\u003c\/em\u003e, and shows how the \u003cem\u003esecond coming\u003c\/em\u003e of Jesus, and the eventual resurrection, belong within that larger picture, together with the intermediate hope for \u003cem\u003eheaven\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise. Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation—and if this has already begun in Jesus' resurrection—the church cannot stop at \u003cem\u003esaving souls\u003c\/em\u003e, but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLively and accessible, \u003cem\u003eSurprised by Hope\u003c\/em\u003e will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life not only after death but before it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47995519533292,"sku":"9780281064779","price":13.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780281064779-surprised-by-hope.jpg?v=1784897871","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/surprised-by-hope-by-tom-wright-9780281064779","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}