Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Was Christianity bad for the world? How should we talk honestly about the Crusades, colonialism, slavery, sectarian wars — and the church’s failures — without pretending the record is clean? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird respond to three big questions: Is Christianity bad? Tom argues we must acknowledge the church’s worst moments without defensiveness, while also recognizing how Christian moral vision reshaped the conscience of the wider world.
Also on today's episode listener's ask whether the “coming of the Son of Man” in Matthew 24 is about Jesus returning, or Jesus being enthroned? Tom points us to Daniel 7, showing why many “coming” passages are actually about vindication, authority, and enthronement rather than a literal end-of-the-world timetable.
Finally Mike and Tom look at why isn’t Israel saved? Tom works through Romans 9–11, rejecting replacement theology and explaining Paul’s grief, the “remnant,” the grafting-in image, and the difficult phrase “all Israel will be saved.”
Questions:
01:36 Is Christianity bad? Church history, violence, hypocrisy — and moral change
11:30 Is the Son of Man “Coming” or “Going”? Daniel 7 and Matthew 24
20:38 Why Isn’t Israel saved? Romans 9–11, remnant, grafting in, and the reference “all Israel”
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Was Christianity bad for the world? How should we talk honestly about the Crusades, colonialism, slavery, sectarian wars — and the church’s failures — without pretending the record is clean? In this episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird respond to three big questions: Is Christianity bad? Tom argues we must acknowledge the church’s worst moments without defensiveness, while also recognizing how Christian moral vision reshaped the conscience of the wider world.
Also on today's episode listener's ask whether the “coming of the Son of Man” in Matthew 24 is about Jesus returning, or Jesus being enthroned? Tom points us to Daniel 7, showing why many “coming” passages are actually about vindication, authority, and enthronement rather than a literal end-of-the-world timetable.
Finally Mike and Tom look at why isn’t Israel saved? Tom works through Romans 9–11, rejecting replacement theology and explaining Paul’s grief, the “remnant,” the grafting-in image, and the difficult phrase “all Israel will be saved.”
Questions:
01:36 Is Christianity bad? Church history, violence, hypocrisy — and moral change
11:30 Is the Son of Man “Coming” or “Going”? Daniel 7 and Matthew 24
20:38 Why Isn’t Israel saved? Romans 9–11, remnant, grafting in, and the reference “all Israel”
Support us: premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate
Got a question for Tom? Go to askntwright.com
Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at logos.com/NT👉
Refer a friend to become a subscriber like you - they can get 10% off by clicking here: https://askntwright.supportingcast.fm?sc_promo=ASK10)
• Support us: premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate
• Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable
• More shows, free eBook & newsletter: premierunbelievable.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/PremierUnbelievable
- Instagram: instagram.com/premierunbelievable
- TikTok: tiktok.com/@premierunbelievable
- X (Twitter) https://x.com/unbelievablefe
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/unbelievablefe.bsky.social
