Many people have questions about what happens after we die and wonder if hope is simply about our ultimate future destination. It is a common assumption in Western Christianity that the primary message is about 'going up to heaven to be with God'. What if there is so much more to Christian hope than something that is going to happen later that will take us away from this world to a ‘better place’? What if there is more to the Good News that Jesus proclaimed than just 'life after death'?

This course addresses many questions people ask about 'where we go' after we die, including ideas about heaven, hell, and purgatory. Those who have read 'Surprised by Hope' will appreciate a fresh take on lasting themes and content from the book. However, this course also presents new ideas and material about the Christian virtue of hope in the present time. Professor N.T. Wright explains why Jesus' resurrection offers surprising answers by the God of hope who came to take charge of his world and dwell with his people in Jesus of Nazareth and through the Holy Spirit. Over a series of 24 lectures you will learn how the Christian hope for life in God's new creation should inspire and inform the mission of the church and individual followers of Jesus today.

In this course you will be encouraged to learn the reasons for our hope right here and right now. We invite you to explore these ideas and to be refreshed and renewed along the way, and perhaps, even surprised by the God of hope.