N.T. Wright Explains Ephesians: The Church, Christian Nationalism, and the Armor of God

2025-12-04

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Christianity Isn't a Nation and The Church Isn't a National Movement Host Curtis Chang sits down with N.T. Wright to explore the explosive themes of Ephesians, including what the Bible really says about the mission of the church—not as a lifeboat escaping to heaven, but a "small working model of new creation"—a multiethnic, multicultural community that stands against the powers and principalities of our age through truth, unity, and love. Wright discusses the church's mission in a divided world, and the rise of Christian nationalism. They address modern challenges such as misunderstandings of spiritual warfare, the communal nature of the armor of God, why the "belt of truth" matters today, and how Ephesians calls the church to resist counterfeit visions of power.

Christianity Isn't a Nation and The Church Isn't a National Movement

Host Curtis Chang sits down with N.T. Wright to explore the explosive themes of Ephesians, including what the Bible really says about the mission of the church—not as a lifeboat escaping to heaven, but a "small working model of new creation"—a multiethnic, multicultural community that stands against the powers and principalities of our age through truth, unity, and love. Wright discusses the church's mission in a divided world, and the rise of Christian nationalism. They address modern challenges such as misunderstandings of spiritual warfare, the communal nature of the armor of God, why the "belt of truth" matters today, and how Ephesians calls the church to resist counterfeit visions of power.

(06:12) - Has NT Wright changed his mind about the Biblical truths?

(12:15) - What is Wright's "small working model of new creation"?

(16:15) - The new community of Jesus Christ

(22:51) - The problem of Christian nationalism

(28:16) - The Challenge of Christian Multiculturalism

(29:39) - The Church's Role in Spiritual Warfare

(36:56) - Is the Armor of God a communal thing?

(43:05) - The biblical view of men and women is not antiquated

(49:19) - A final word of encouragement from Ephesians

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Mentioned In This Episode:

N.T. Wright's The Vision of Ephesians: The Task of the Church and the Glory of God
N.T. Wright's forthcoming God's Homecoming: The Forgotten Promise of Future Renewal
Lecture: How Paul Invented Christian Theology (N.T. Wright lecture)
What are the Five Elements of Christian Nationalism?
Learn more: Desmond Tutu and the triumph against Apartheid
Watch: How Artistotle and the Greek philosophers influenced the idea of a soul (video)
Read: How a Man Named Lesslie Changed the Way I Think

Scriptural Thoughts on Rest: