“To hope for a better future in this world—for the poor, the sick, the lonely and depressed, for the slaves, the refugees, the hungry and homeless, for the abused, the paranoid, the downtrodden and despair, and in fact for the whole wide, wonderful, and wounded world—is not something else, something extra, something tacked on to the gospel as an afterthought. And to work for that intermediate hope, the surprising hope that comes forward from God’s ultimate future into God’s urgent present, is not a distraction from the task of mission and evangelism in the present. It is a central, essential, vital, and life-giving part of it.”
N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope
NT Wright and the New Perspective on Paul
This is, in most part, a response to a question by Blake:
“What is your opinion on the New Perspective on Paul?”
I am, admittedly, Wrightian (as in NT Wright) in my understanding of Paul and will draw on his understanding of this controversial topic.*
I want to say a formal “Hello!” to all my new followers. I hope to generate biblical inquiry, thought and action on this blog. So please participate by commenting and sending your thoughts, questions and messages 
The concept of “the Rapture” is an extra-biblical concept that believes that Christians will be taken up into heaven (without their clothes) at some point, leaving the world behind while they enjoy the presence of God. There are different views on when this takes place in relation to 