NT Wright: Remembering Queen Elizabeth II

Former Bishop of Durham NT Wright shares his memories of the Queen with Justin Brierley, reflecting on her strong Christian faith and how the church can respond in faith and hope at this time of naotinal mourning.
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[@PUAlum]

Amen! Glad to hear Rev. Wright....and to join so many in prayers of thanksgiving for Her Majesty and for God's help for the new King. Blessings from across the pond.

[@traceyedson9652]

This is one American who’s grateful for Tom Wright, Unbelievable, and especially the late Queen “of happy memory.” Walking with my brother & sister Brits in these noble days. I’m also an Orthodox believer who believes Elizabeth II has taken her place with the saints. By her prayers may the Church in England and throughout the world be strengthened in faithfulness and maintained in truth.

[@offcenterconcepthaus]

Great episode - good to hear NTW weigh in.

[@mikelennon9773]

Wonderful work Justin and thank you Reverend Wright - simple and powerful words of inspiration and edification as always. Yes, the queen was a model of "strength in humility" - of faithfulness to God and to her people. Amen and Amen!!

[@JamesNel]

AMEN!

[@Autobotmatt428]

Again I'm sorry about the loss of Queen Elizabeth.

[@loftincapital]

What a delight to see NT! I would like to see Richard Swinburne.

[@diannefitzmaurice9813]

A wonderful tribute to her Majesty and to her Christian faith .

[@B.A.Pilgrim]

As a Carholic I have alot of respect for N.T. Wright...

[@KristynLorraine]

It is always appropriate to kneel to receive Holy Communion, whether it is the current custom or not.

[@mosesking2923]

If Protestants believe that that Eucharist is merely a piece of bread, why would you kneel for bread? Sounds schizophrenic.

[@CJ-sw8lc]

I don't want to be irreverent, but has Justin Brierly taken hair tips from Cameron (Capturing Christianity)? It looks awesome!

[@danb3657]

I understand respecting the ruling authorities, but this patronizing the queen and the monarchy is nauseating. 🤮

[@rocketmanshawn]

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Wright is good at this 😊

[@williamoarlock8634]

Spinning sophistry.

[@Ancient-Paths]

We need to remember that the former Prince of Wales (now King), is not a Christian, and was proud to declare in the past that he would be a 'Defender of Faith' or "defender of faiths." In his view, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism are all equally acceptable. The Queen was happy to attend Roman Catholic church services, mosques, etc. Whilst happily attending a Mosque, she ended her time there by saying, "keep up the good work"! Did she know Jesus as her personal Saviour. We do not know - but I do hope so. What did she say in her Christmas broadcasts? "Christ not only revealed to us the truth in his teachings. He lived by what he believed and gave us the strength to try to do the same - and, finally, on the cross, he showed the supreme example of physical and moral courage.” (1981) “For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God’s love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.” (2013) Is that the true Christian gospel? Back in 2005, Prince Charles was asked in an interview about his known desire to be known as ‘Defender of faith’, without the definite article, and he responded: "No, I didn’t describe myself as a defender: I said I would rather be seen as ‘Defender of Faith’, all those years ago, because, as I tried to describe, I mind about the inclusion of other people’s faiths and their freedom to worship in this country. And it’s always seemed to me that, while at the same time being Defender of the Faith, you can also be protector of faiths." He remarked that in her Jubilee address to the faith leaders, the Queen said that as far as the role of the Church of England is concerned, it was “not to defend Anglicanism to the exclusion of other religions. Instead, the Church [of England] has a duty to protect the free practice of all faiths in this country... Woven into the fabric of this country, the Church helped to build a better society, more and more in active cooperation for the common good with those of other faiths." Charles then remarked, "I think in that sense she was confirming what I was really trying to say - perhaps not very well - all those years ago.” At the Accession Council on Saturday, he declared: "I, Charles III by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of My other Realms and Territories King, Defender of the Faith, do faithfully promise and swear that I shall inviolably maintain and preserve the Settlement of the true Protestant Religion as established by the Laws made in Scotland in prosecution of the Claim of Right and particularly by an Act intituled ‘An Act for securing the Protestant Religion and Presbyterian Church Government’ and by the Acts passed in the Parliament of both Kingdoms for Union of the two Kingdoms, together with the Government, Worship, Discipline, Rights and Privileges of the Church of Scotland. So help me God." This is law and formality - and says nothing about his own religious stance. This oath is a requirement of the 1707 Act of Union between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and signing it was his first act as King. The Established Church of Scotland is Presbyterian, and recognises only Jesus Christ as ‘King and Head of the Church’. It has no ‘Supreme Governor’: when attending church services in Scotland, King Charles does so as an ordinary member, as did Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. King Charles III will state the same thing in his Coronation Oath, when asked: "Will you, to the utmost of your power, maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?" May God save King Charles III .... but remembering that - the true Christian, has no King but Jesus.

[@gooser2583]

Remember that the job of the King now is to be the head of state over a pluralistic and religiously diverse society. It has been like this since the English civil war. Whether or not his public proclamations truly reflect his personal convictions will most likely remain unknown to us. That being said, I wouldn't dare to be so arrogant as to pontificate on whether someone is or isn't a Christian. God is sovereign, and he saves who he will by his grace alone.

[@Ancient-Paths]

@@gooser2583 "By their fruit you will recognise them." (Matthew 7:16) "So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

[@gooser2583]

@@Ancient-Paths "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

[@Ancient-Paths]

​@@gooser2583 Now, how did I know you would answer with that incorrect Scripture? As you might know - Jesus actually commanded us to judge - but only with "righteous judgement." "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.” (John 7:24) If we do not judge - how are we to discern truth from error? However, in this passage Jesus clearly describes the wrong way to judge another person - that is hypocritical judgement - where you criticise a person whilst committing the exact same sin yourself. Jesus says - if that is the case - then we must first remove the plank in our own eye (hypocrisy) BEFORE we judge. "You hypocrite, FIRST take the log out of your own eye, and THEN you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye." (verse 5). So, you can see Jesus is not telling us to refrain from judging - but to do so in a non-hypocritical manner with righteous judgement. Since I am not committing the same sin as King Charles (fornication, adultery, and divorce) I am free to judge.

[@gooser2583]

@@Ancient-Paths It is fact the correct scripture. It is very easy to defame someone online who you do not actually know in person and in the process 'judge according to appearance'. You obviously judge Charles to be both a sinner and a non-Christian, most likely from what see in the media. For all I know about you, you might be just the sinner that you accuse Charles of being, and therefore a self-righteous hypocrite. Might I suggest you practice some humility and restraint rather than playing one-man inquisition in the comments.

[@supersmart671]

we would use the word "passed away" instead of "died"...

[@Ancient-Paths]

Christians must be very careful not to commit the sin of idolatry in this matter.

[@jesuschristsaves1955]

THE GOSPEL Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: - 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4 KJV Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13 KJV SAVALATION For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 KJV For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. - John 14:6 KJV Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:10 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. - Mark 1:15 KJV He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. - John 3:36 KJV Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Timothy 1:9 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. - Romans 10:9-11 KJV

[@peterj6740]

Yes and the Queen most certainly believed in the same gospel in your long summary in spite of the ignorant majority who have no idea of the message of this same Gospel .

[@Seb_Snufflepuss]

Audio is awful.

[@ufomofo]

A Bishops Holiday home...Im in the wrong church

[@catherinesommer3648]

He's also a retired professor - as well as retired bishop and successful author. So why not a holiday home?

[@a.t.c.3862]

@Psicólogo Miguel Cisneros Nonsense.

[@peterj6740]

@Psicólogo Miguel Cisneros we honor our parents according to the commandment but that is no like anything like adoration that is given to God Alone. Queen Elizabeth was an honorable person and we must respect the 70 years of service she gave to the Commonwealth and the messages of peace she gave at every Christmas .

[@katiemiaana]

Could you talk about the church's stance on Republicanism? I love the show but feel that there is a debate that needs to be had here from a Christian perspective as whilst the queen expressed Christian views, the behaviour of her sons leaves a lot to be desired. Charles is apparently deeply selfish and can't even move an ink pot without gesturing wildly at the help. I feel this goes against the teachings of the church to love one's neighbour, treat everyone with respect etc. Only God is supreme.

[@User_Happy35]

The scrutiny they are under is over the top. If people judged your every gesture I'm sure they would find fault as well. The man merely gestured to his aide for the ink to be removed to avoid him hitting it and causing a spill. Would you rather he have spilled it on the documents so they'd need to be signed over?

[@katiemiaana]

William moved it perfectly easy, if you need a servant to move an ink pot something has gone wrong.

[@floriangeyer1886]

The House of Saxe-Coburg Gotha "Windsor" is the titular head of worldwide freemasonry.

[@Ancient-Paths]

The current Grand Master in England and Wales is the Duke of Kent. The Duke of Westminster and Prince Michael of Kent are Grand Master's, as was King George V, King George VI (the late Queen's father), and King Edward VIII. Prince Philip and Prince Charles also dabbled in freemasonry too.

[@TimothyFish]

I'm happy for the British to have a king, if they want one, but some of what is said about the queen makes her sound like some kind of godlike figure. I'm sure that she was a wonderful person, but it's a little odd to hold her up like she is the perfect example of how children should live their lives, or to treat her speeches like they are scripture. I would imagine that many of her speeches were written by other people.

[@katiemiaana]

I am English living in the UK and a Christian. People are being arrested for expressing views critical of monarchy right now, the UK does not have free speech on this issue and never has.

[@TimothyFish]

@@katiemiaana, while I'm sure that is factually true, the people that I have seen that were arrested were walking into a crowd of mourners and yelling to express their views. That's the kind of tactics that Westboro Baptist uses in the US. It doesn't seem to be particularly effective. In fact, with Westboro Baptist, it tends to have the opposite effect from what they want.

[@katiemiaana]

Sorry I completely disagree. Holding a sign saying ‘he is not my king’ is on a par with Westboro God is a faggot or whatever nonsense they said. People in this country have to protest this when the monarchical institution has cancelled parliament and there is an energy crisis that must be addressed. The monarchy is not democratic we’ve never been given a vote on it, it has to be enforced through the powers of the state.

[@Ancient-Paths]

Correct. This is what God calls the sin of idolatry.

[@roberteaston6413]

@@katiemiaana I live in Canada. Our Liberal government, with the cooperation of the opposition Conservatives, have banned conversion therapy. It is now illegal for a pastor to tell a homosexual that his lifestyle is sinful. This makes it difficult for a minister to preach on Romans chapter one.

[@trevornunn3285]

Completely outraged at NT Wright's comment that the populace should revere their monarchs. He wants nothing more than to maintain the status quo, with the monarchy supporting the church and vice versa. Straight out of the The Mandate of Heaven playbook, as concocted by the ancient Chinese emperors of the Zhou Wu clan. Two groups who feed off the masses, exacting wealth and privilege from the poor. Oh, don't get me wrong, they put on a show "service" with royal princes even going into war, but it's always in safer combat roles. The idea that they are serving the nation is ludicrous. No, we pay taxes AND risk our lives, so that they may have a life of luxury NT Wright's comments do nothing save to expose the manipulation and exploitation of the common man by two institutions which typically come into power by violence and thuggery, and which enjoy a symbiotic relationship. It's time the people saw through these phoneys !!!

[@tonyoliver2750]

Whereas all republics are paradises where the heads of state live side by side with shepherds and road sweepers.

[@katiemiaana]

@@tonyoliver2750 Where in his comment did he say they were? Not much of a justification, "have a monarchy because a republic is just as hellish", dear me.

[@diannalaubenberg7532]

Trevor Nunn You have the right to your opinion; however, you are completely full of gas. That said, I doubt any of the Apostles, any Pope or Bishop or Patriarch or Metropolitan ever read the Chinese writer to whom you refer,or had thoughts which ran along the same lines.

[@tonyoliver2750]

@@katiemiaana Where did I say "have a monarchy because a republic is just as hellish"? I never described the realm of our late Queen as 'hellish'. On the contrary I have spent all but the last couple of years in relative freedom, well fed and housed. Republics such as those of North Korea, China and the now vanished Soviet Socialist Republic certainly were/are hells on earth, and were/are the products, not of working class people like me, but of the spiteful, left-wing middle classes. Dear me indeed.

[@katiemiaana]

Yes Republics are not perfect. But when people disagree with the monarchy they are not claiming that. I disagree with giving millions upon millions of pounds over the decades to one family whilst people sleep rough every night. I think that is extremely odd as a system. I am not saying there wouldn’t be inequality in a republic but if it comes down to a choice between a republic where representatives are democratically elected and held to some degree of account by voters versus a family that sought power questionably decades ago, cannot be removed or changed, pays no taxes, costs a fortune and shields from scrutiny, even legal scrutiny involving child abuse I know which system I prefer. If you like them that’s on you.