The Big Bible episode: Canon, Contradictions & Tradition

Ask NT Wright Anything

Premier Unbelievable

Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, History

4.8 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 17 August 2025

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What is the Bible really — and who decided which books belong in it? Can we trust the Gospels if they don’t always agree? And when should tradition shape how we read scripture, and when should we challenge it?In this Big Bible Episode of Ask NT Wright Anything, Tom Wright and Mike Bird dig into big, timeless questions about the canon of scripture, how inspiration works, and why apparent contradictions in the Gospels don’t undermine their truth. They unpack how tradition and fresh interpretation must stay grounded in the historical context of the text, and why the church must always be, as Tom says, “semper reformanda” — always reforming around the Bible’s authority.Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donateGot a question for Tom? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askntwright.com⁠⁠⁠Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠logos.com/NT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👉 If you’re enjoying this exclusive series, leave us a comment or share what you’re learning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I've ruled out uni because I want to live at home.
0:02.0	I've ruled out uni because I want to earn money.
0:05.0	I've ruled out uni because of my grades.
0:10.0	Study with the Open University and there's no need to rule out anything.
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0:23.6	future with the degree you didn't think was possible. The Open University. The future is open.
0:30.2	Ask NT Write Anything is sponsored by Logos. Start going deeper in the Bible with a free trial at
0:36.2	logos.com slash nt.
0:39.0	It's so funny because when you look at the guys, that's never a topic of conversation.
0:43.7	Yeah.
0:44.2	What you look like?
0:45.5	Yeah.
0:46.1	Did you watch the football last night?
0:47.7	It's never about, I'll watch your skincare routine.
0:49.8	Whereas women walk into a room and because we've been taught to be pitted against each other,
0:55.2	not always, but sometimes there's, oh my God, you know, I can't.
0:58.7	It's a bit of a barrier.
0:59.5	Yeah, yeah.
1:00.1	And it shouldn't be there.
1:01.2	We should be trying to change that stereotype, believing that there is space for everybody.
1:10.2	Hello and welcome to the Ask Antryte Anything podcast, the program where we look at Jesus, the Bible and the Life of Faith.
	...

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