Oh Dang, How did I miss this?

Bishop N. T. Wright appeared the other night on the Comedy Central program “The Colbert Report” to promote his book Surprised by Hope. I occasionally watch the Colbert Report, but that night I wasn't watching. But thanks to the internet I can see what I missed (You can as well by watching the video below).

Also here are a couple of thoughts from Denny Burk that made me think:

1. How conducive is a comedy show to talking seriously about the weighty things of God? “The Colbert Report” is more than just satire. It turns every subject that it touches into a joke. Is that helpful?

2. Shouldn’t Christians be concerned not merely with spreading the news about “heaven” (and the new creation) but also with how one gets into “heaven” (and the new creation)? Bishop Wright was able to say that people get to participate in the work of the resurrection now through acts of charity. But that was as close as he got to an explanation of how one might inherit eternal life. I think all would agree that this explanation is manifestly insufficient for any sinner who wishes to know how he might be reconciled to His offended Creator. There was no talk of sin, judgment, the cross, faith in Christ, or forgiveness.

To be sure, the format of the show and the jocularity of the host work against faithful Christian witness. But if this is all that can be done in 7 minutes, I’m wondering how helpful it is to appear on this show to talk about a subject as important as this one.

What do you think? Does the nature of the show distract from Wright's message. And do you think Wrights message isn't complete enough in explaining "how people get into heaven"?

(ht: Denny Burk)