God and the Pandemic

A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and Its Aftermath

By: N. T. Wright

Narrated by: N. Wright

Length: 2 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover a different way of seeing and responding to the coronavirus pandemic, an approach drawing on scripture, Christian history, and the way of living, thinking, and praying revealed to us by Jesus.

What are we supposed to think about the coronavirus crisis?

Some people think they know: "This is a sign of the End," they say. "It's all predicted in the book of Revelation."

Others disagree but are equally clear: "This is a call to repent. God is judging the world and through this disease he's telling us to change."

Some join in the chorus of blame and condemnation: "It's the fault of the Chinese, the government, the World Health Organization...."

N. T. Wright examines these reactions to the virus and finds them wanting. Instead, he shows that a careful reading of the Bible and Christian history offers simple though profound answers to our many questions, including:

What should be the Christian response?

• How should we think about God?
• How do we live in the present?
• Why should we lament?
• What should we learn about ourselves?
• How do we recover?

Written by one of the world's foremost New Testament scholars, God and the Pandemic will serve as your guide to read the events of today through the light of Jesus' death and resurrection.

©2020 N. T. Wright (P)2020 Zondervan

Prophetic and Powerful

Wright nails it on the head. The church needs to be people of prayer at the Poona of theme world’s pain. A pandemic is not a time to proselytize half truths about God’s wrath. It is a time to weep with those that weep and to sacrificially care for the hurting and needy. This is what it looks like to be the Imago Dei in an Infectious Day.

A source of hope

I wish I had access to this book at the beginning of the pandemic. N.T. Wright offers calm assurance in these troubling times. Outstanding book!

Wonderful encouragement for Christians.

Because we witness the unsettling times, the devastation and fear we can react in a compassionate and encouraging way backed up by the truth of Scripture.

Timely

This book expounds on scripture that transcends the current pandemic. However, he candidly addresses the “pink elephant” in the room that we all see, namely the pandemic and all of the frustration and uncertainty.
It gives a scriptural voice to what I’ve been feeling.

disappointed

this book has only chapters short of 2 chapters!!! I am d disappointed I couldn't follow with my group!!!

A beautiful guide through difficult times

I've read many things from this author as a student of religion and he never disappoints. He speaks beautifully and in an uncomplicated way. This was a great book to help us all understand these difficult times!

N.T. Wright never disappoints

Thoughtful and truly what Christianity should be about - pray and Do - lament and work towards the kingdom of God.

A Great Biblical Approach to the Pandemic

Wow, N.T. Wright nailed the approach to dealing with the pandemic. I wish I had listened to it earlier. Nevertheless, his Biblical understanding will guide me in the coming days. Don't miss reading this book! It will guide us to being the loving Church Christ wants us to be.

N.T. Wright is Right!

Bishop Wright has a very good point that we as Christian’s should be “out there” pandemic or no. It’s a hurting world that needs us.
I pray we hear him and we do as he says.

I’m not Anglican but...

I hail from a variety of Christian traditions and I think NT Wright’s stance and explanation is valuable for all.

He explains that rather than trying to determine the cause of the pandemic like Job’s friends, Christians should be future-oriented asking “what are we to do now as God’s hands and feet?”

He also ties together Jesus weeping prior to resurrecting Lazarus and the spirit praying through us with groanings which cannot be uttered to describe God’s view of the effects of original sin (COVID-19) — he suffers with us in our pain, Wright concludes.

Regarding our appropriate response, Romans 8:19 “creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed” tied together with a possible translation of Romans 8:28 (all things work together for good). Could read that “Together, us and God can work good out of all things” and this is our task as the “revealed children of God.”

I spent period of time in the reformed tradition and still appreciate much that it has to offer, but the view that God sent it, God is judging us, and God is not evil despite this apparent evil, represents a minority Christian opinion and it is refreshing to have Wright’s view that squares with a loving Heavenly Father much better.

Disclaimer: I don’t always understand what NT Wright is explaining so I may have misrepresented his arguments. Also he says it much better.