From the Desk of N.T. Wright, March 17, 2020

Dear Online Friends,

It’s like a bad dream, isn’t it? What started as (for most of us) an unfortunate epidemic in faraway places is now on our doorsteps; and many of us are being told that the doorstep is as far as we will soon be allowed to go, as Covid-19 takes hold globally. A strange and troubling time indeed.  I’d like to add my encouragement to you all to pray for the health of the whole world, for those who are suffering and dying, for governments and health authorities and medical researchers, doctors and nurses at this time. Here in Oxford the minister of the City Church which I attend reminded us on Sunday that the church had continued its pattern of worship during the Black Death in 1347 and the Bubonic Plague of 1665, so this was simply another crisis to get through in faith and hope. But this of course doesn’t stop us being anxious for ourselves, and for family and friends. 

Our churches are rightly considering many options about what to do if they can’t meet together on Sundays for worship and mutual encouragement. We would like to help by providing, free of charge, our course, Paul and His Letter to the Philippians: Small Group Edition, to anyone who wishes to have it. Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians during a time of deep personal trials, and his words are especially appropriate right now, especially for those who can’t get out to meet with other believers. 

Do please, then, enroll in this course, and use it as you see fit with your friends. Perhaps you may wish to contact your pastor or church leader and ask him or her to enroll as well. Paul often found himself ministering by letter to small groups of ‘dispersed’ congregations, and as we find ourselves in similar situations I hope this might help. This course, then, comes as a gift to you in this time of uncertainty and alarm. 

This course will be available at no cost for the next 3 days. Enroll Here.

With warm good wishes,

TOM WRIGHT

Prof N.T. Wright

St Andrews and Oxford